​Do I need prescriptive authority?
An APRN who does not wish to prescribe the non-scheduled legend drugs is not required to obtain prescriptive authority.
If an APRN wishes to prescribe the non-scheduled legend drugs, they must enter into a collaborative agreement (CAPA-NS) with a licensed Kentucky physician in a same or similar specialty. Once this is done, the APRN must notify KBN through the nurse portal. You may access the nurse portal here: https://kybn.boardsofnursing.org/kybn.  Under ‘Your Licenses with Kentucky’, go to the right of your license number and select ‘Request Prescriptive Authority for NS/CS’. 

*Please note that this does not apply to the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) who is delivering anesthesia care.
You may find instructions to request prescriptive authority for the first time here:  https://kbn.ky.gov/KBN%20Documents/prescriptive-authority-instructions.pdf

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What if I want to prescribe controlled substances?
In addition to the collaborative agreement (CAPA-CS), the APRN must request controlled substance authority for the CAPA-CS in the nurse portal.

• You may find instructions to request prescriptive authority for the first time here:  https://kbn.ky.gov/KBN%20Documents/prescriptive-authority-instructions.pdf

You may access the nurse portal here: https://kybn.boardsofnursing.org/kybn.  Under ‘Your Licenses with Kentucky’, go to the right of your license number and select ‘Request Prescriptive Authority for NS/CS’. 
The APRN must also:

• Upload a copy of the Kentucky DEA registration.
• You can find more information about DEA registration here: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/registration.html

• Upload verification of having a Kentucky PDMP/KASPER master account to the KBN portal.  

• You can find more information about PDMP/KASPER master accounts here: https://www.pdmpassist.org/Content/Documents/pdf/state_summaries/Kentucky_Summary_Profile.pdf 

​What if I am a new APRN in my first year of practice?

The APRN in their first year of practice must:

• Be employed by a healthcare entity or provider.
• If the provider is an APRN, the APRN must have been granted a CAPA-CS exemption (discussed below).
• Meet with the licensed Kentucky physician with whom they entered into a CAPA-CS agreement at least quarterly to review a query of the APRN’s reverse KASPER or the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) currently in use in Kentucky.
• A record of the meeting date, summary of discussion, and any recommendations are required to be made in writing and a copy retained by both parties (physician and APRN) for a period of one year past the expiration of the CAPA-CS.
• The meeting records could be audited by the KBN or the KBML.
• The meeting may be held in person or through videoconferencing.
• During the succeeding three years these meetings are to be held bi-annually and meeting documentation is still required.

When am I eligible to file for the CAPA-NS discontinuation or the CAPA-CS exemption so that I may prescribe non-scheduled legend drugs or controlled substances independently?

• CAPA-NS Discontinuation
• After four (4) years of prescribing non-scheduled legend drugs the APRN must notify the KBN if they wish to prescribe non-scheduled legend drugs without a CAPA-NS.
• Submit a request for discontinuation through the KBN nurse portal.
• You may find instructions on how to submit a request to discontinue the CAPA-NS through the KBN portal here :  https://kbn.ky.gov/KBN%20Documents/notification-to-discontinue.pdf

• CAPA-CS Exemption
• After four (4) years of prescribing controlled substances the APRN must notify the KBN if they wish to prescribe controlled substances without a CAPA-CS.
• Submit a request for exemption through the KBN nurse portal;
• Ensure that the KBN has on file a copy of current DEA registration, PDMP/KASPER master account, and CAPA-CS;
• Pay the required fee;
• Be determined to be in good standing; and
• You may find instructions on how to submit a request for exemption of the CAPA-CS through the KBN portal here:  https://kbn.ky.gov/KBN%20Documents/capa-cs-exemption.pdf 

What if I am an APRN wishing to endorse from another state and have been prescribing for more than four (4) years?

• You may be exempt from the CAPA-CS requirement provided the following has been met:
• Have been prescribing controlled substances for more than four (4) years in a state that grants this authority to APRNs;
• Have a DEA registration that reflects the issue date of at least 4 years prior to endorsing, and
• Have a license in good standing.
• If you do not meet the requirements as stated above, you are required to enter into a CAPA-CS, obtain a KY DEA, and have a PDMP/KASPER master account to prescribe controlled substances. https://kbn.ky.gov/KBN%20Documents/capa-cs-exemption.pdf    

What if I need to make changes to my prescriptive authority currently on file with KBN?

• Change prescriptive authority currently on file.
• https://kbn.ky.gov/KBN%20Documents/change-prescriptive-authority.pdf
• Update DEA registration and KASPER/PDMP account.
• https://kbn.ky.gov/KBN%20Documents/update-dea.pdf
• Rescission of CAPA-NS/CS
• https://kbn.ky.gov/KBN%20Documents/capa-cs-rescission.pdf

Where can I find Kentucky Nursing Laws regarding prescriptive authority?

• Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS)
• KRS 314.042
• Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KAR)
• 201 KAR 20:057

Additional Helpful Resources

• For information about how to update National Certification in the KBN nurse portal click here.

• For information about how to add an additional population focus in the KBN nurse portal click here.

Authorizations to Provided Written Certifications for the Use of Medicinal Cannabis
Medicinal Cannabis cannot be prescribed.
Applications to apply for an Authorization to Provide Written Certifications for the Use of Medicinal Cannabis is available for submission.  You can find more information here: https://kbn.ky.gov/advanced-practice-registered-nurse/Pages/Medicinal-Cannabis.aspx.
For additional information about completing the application for Authorization to Provide Written Certifications for the use of Medicinal Cannabis click here.