Can a Kentucky NP prescribe medication independently?

A Kentucky NP can prescribe medication, but independent prescribing depends on experience and the type of drug. APRN practice in Kentucky includes prescribing medications as part of the APRN scope of practice¹, and APRNs who seek prescriptive authority must initially have a collaborative agreement in place—either a CAPA-NS for nonscheduled legend drugs or a CAPA-CS for controlled substances²³.

For nonscheduled legend drugs, an NP must prescribe under a written CAPA-NS with a Kentucky-licensed physician for the first four years⁴⁵. After completing four years and notifying the Board, the NP may, subject to Board approval, discontinue the CAPA-NS and continue prescribing nonscheduled legend drugs independently⁶.

For controlled substances, an NP must enter into a standardized CAPA-CS⁷ and prescribe under that agreement for four years, as evidenced by the statutory meeting requirements in the first year and subsequent three years⁸ and the exemption prerequisites requiring completion of four years⁹. After four years—and with a maintained DEA registration and KASPER master account—the NP may request Board approval for exemption; only after Board approval may the NP prescribe controlled substances without a collaborating physician (though the NP may choose to continue under a CAPA-CS)⁹¹⁰.