Prescriptive privileges for nurse practitioners are legally granted by which authority?

Prescriptive privileges for nurse practitioners are legally granted by which authority?

• A. Food and Drug Administration
• B. State Nurse Practice Act
• C. Nurse practitioner certification boards
• D. State pharmacy licensing boards

Answer: (B)

Prescriptive privileges for nurse practitioners come from state law, specifically the Nurse Practice Act, and are administered by the state Board of Nursing. This Act defines the scope of practice for NPs and outlines what is needed to prescribe medications (often including a collaborative or supervisory arrangement and, for controlled substances, DEA registration). The FDA regulates drug approval and safety, but it does not grant prescriptive authority. Certification boards provide credentialing, not legal prescribing rights. State pharmacy licensing boards regulate pharmacists and dispensing, not NP prescribing authority.

Prescriptive privileges for nurse practitioners come from state law, specifically the Nurse Practice Act, and are administered by the state Board of Nursing. This Act defines the scope of practice for NPs and outlines what is needed to prescribe medications (often including a collaborative or supervisory arrangement and, for controlled substances, DEA registration). The FDA regulates drug approval and safety, but it does not grant prescriptive authority. Certification boards provide credentialing, not legal prescribing rights. State pharmacy licensing boards regulate pharmacists and dispensing, not NP prescribing authority.