Can a Kentucky NP prescribe controlled substances?

Yes. A Kentucky NP can prescribe controlled substances. An APRN in Kentucky may prescribe Schedules II–V if they have a written CAPA-CS with a Kentucky-licensed physician and comply with DEA and KASPER registration requirements¹². Prescribing is subject to schedule-specific quantity limits set by statute³⁴⁵.

The CAPA-CS must use the Board’s standardized form and define collaboration and any additional limits¹. An APRN must practice under a CAPA-CS for four years, with collaboration meetings at least quarterly in the first year and biannually in the next three years to review reverse KASPER data⁶⁷. After four years, and with maintained DEA registration and a KASPER master account, the APRN may seek Board approval for exemption; upon approval, they may prescribe without a collaborating physician or continue under a CAPA-CS⁸⁹. If a CAPA-CS ends, the APRN must cease prescribing controlled substances until a new CAPA-CS is in place or exemption is granted¹⁰.

Key statutory limits on APRN controlled-substance prescribing:

• Schedule II (except hydrocodone combination products): limited to a 72-hour supply with no refills³.
• Hydrocodone combination products: limited to a 30-day supply with no refills; for acute pain, default 3-day supply unless an exception is documented; when exception criteria are met, may prescribe up to 30 days, no refills⁴¹¹.
• Schedule III: limited to a 30-day supply with no refills⁵.
• Schedules IV–V: original prescriptions and refills together may not exceed a six-month supply⁵.