Before an APRN may prescribe non-controlled/legend medications, an APRN is required to enter into a collaborative agreement for prescriptive authority for non-scheduled/legend substances (CAPA-NS) with a licensed Kentucky physician in a same or similar specialty. In addition, the APRN must notify the KBN through the KBN portal that the APRN has entered into such an agreement.
*Please note that this does not apply to the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) who is delivering anesthesia care.
Before an APRN may prescribe controlled medications, an APRN is required to enter into a collaborative agreement for prescriptive authority for controlled substances (CAPA-CS) with a licensed Kentucky physician in a same or similar specialty. In addition, the APRN must also:
- Notify the KBN that the APRN has entered into a CAPA-CS agreement through the KBN portal;
- Upload a copy of the Kentucky DEA registration through the KBN portal; and
- Upload verification of having a PDMP/KASPER master account to the KBN portal
Kentucky APRNs who are in their first year of practice are required to:
- 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 the APRN’s revers KASPER report or that of 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 and/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.
APRNs Who have been Prescribing for four (4) or More Years with a Licensed Kentucky Physician:
CAPA-NS
The APRN is required to notify the KBN that the four (4) year requirement has been met and the APRN will be prescribing nonscheduled/legend drugs without a CAPA-NS. For instructions to submit a request to discontinue the CAPA-NS after meeting the four (4) or more year prescribing requirement through the KBN portal,
Click Here.
CAPA-CS
The APRN who wishes to be exempt from a CAPA-CS is required to:
- Submit a request for exemption through the KBN portal;
- Ensure that the KBN has on file a copy of current DEA registration, PDMP/KASPER master account, CAPA-CS;
- Pay the required fee; and
- Be determined to be in good standing.
For instructions to submit an application for an exemption to the CAPA-CS after meeting the four (4) or more year prescribing requirement through the KBN portal,
Click Here.
APRNs seeking to obtain licensure by endorsement
APRNs who intend to seek licensure by endorsement are exempt from the CAPA-CS requirement provided that the APRN:
- Has met the prescribing requirements for controlled substances in a state that grants this authority to APRNs;
- Has been prescribing controlled substances for four (4) or more years; and
- Has a license in good standing.
APRNs seeking licensure by endorsement that do not meet the requirements as above, are required to enter into a CAPA-CS to prescribe controlled substances as above.