Can a Colorado NP prescribe medication independently?

Yes. A Colorado NP can prescribe medication independently after obtaining Full Prescriptive Authority from the Colorado Board of Nursing¹. Before reaching full authority, an NP must hold Provisional Prescriptive Authority under a written Mentorship Agreement². Colorado APRNs generally practice independently³.

To be granted prescriptive authority, the NP must provide evidence to the Board that includes an appropriate graduate degree, required education in controlled substances and prescription drugs, national certification, professional liability insurance, inclusion on the Advanced Practice Registry, and an attestation of at least three years of combined clinical work experience⁴. To advance from Provisional to Full Prescriptive Authority, the NP must complete 750 hours of documented prescribing mentorship with a physician or an APRN who has full prescriptive authority⁵.

Prescribing controlled substances (Schedules II–V) requires a valid DEA registration and compliance with DEA requirements⁶. Prescribing must remain within the NP’s scope/patient population and comply with Colorado’s limits on opioid prescribing⁷⁸.