17-87-310. Prescriptive authority.

17-87-310. Prescriptive authority. (a) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing may grant a certificate of prescriptive authority to an advanced practice registered nurse who: (1) Submits proof of successful completion of an Arkansas State Board of Nursing-approved advanced pharmacology course that shall include preceptorial experience in the prescription of drugs, medicines, and therapeutic devices; and (2) Has a collaborative practice agreement with a practicing physician who is licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17-95-201 et seq., § 17-95-301 et seq., and § 17-95-401 et seq., or a podiatrist licensed by the Arkansas Board of Podiatric Medicine under § 17-96-101 et seq., if employed by the podiatrist, and who has training in scope, specialty, or expertise to that of the advanced practice registered nurse on file with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. (b)(1) An advanced practice registered nurse with a certificate of prescriptive authority may receive and prescribe drugs, medicines, or therapeutic devices appropriate to the advanced practice registered nurse's area of practice in accordance with rules established by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. (2)(A) An advanced practice registered nurse's prescriptive authority shall extend only to drugs listed in Schedules III — V and, if expressly authorized by the collaborative practice agreement, also to those hydrocodone combination products reclassified from Schedule III to Schedule II as of October 6, 2014. (B) An advanced practice registered nurse's prescriptive authority also extends to drugs listed in Schedule II if: (i) The prescription is for an opioid and the prescription is only for a five-day period or less; or (ii) The prescription is for a stimulant and meets the following criteria: (a) The prescription was originally initiated by a physician; (b) The physician has evaluated the patient within six (6) months before the advanced practice registered nurse issues a prescription; and (c) The prescription by the advanced practice registered nurse is to treat the same condition as the original prescription. (3)(A) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall promptly adopt rules applicable to an advanced practice registered nurse that are consistent with the Arkansas State Medical Board's rules governing the prescription of dangerous drugs and controlled substances. (B) Before approval of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing's rules, the Arkansas State Medical Board shall review the proposed rules and verify that the proposed rules are consistent with the Arkansas State Medical Board's rules concerning the prescription of dangerous drugs and controlled substances. (c) A collaborative practice agreement shall include, but not be limited to, provisions addressing: (1) The availability of the collaborating physician for consultation or referral, or both; (2) Methods of management of the collaborative practice, which shall include protocols for prescriptive authority; (3) Coverage of the healthcare needs of a patient in the emergency absence of the advanced practice registered nurse or physician; and (4) Quality assurance. (d) If a collaborative practice results in complaints of violations of the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17-95-201 et seq., § 17-95-301 et seq., and § 17-95-401 et seq., the Arkansas State Medical Board may review the role of the physician in the collaborative practice to determine if the physician is unable to manage his or her responsibilities under the agreement without an adverse effect on the quality of care of the patient. (e) If a collaborative practice results in complaints of violations of this chapter, the Arkansas State Board of Nursing may review the role of the advanced practice registered nurse in the collaborative practice to determine if the nurse is unable to manage his or her responsibilities under the agreement without an adverse effect on the quality of care of the patient.