Can a New York NP prescribe controlled substances without supervision?

A New York NP can prescribe controlled substances without direct supervision in some cases. After 3,600 practice hours, an NP is not required to work under a written collaborative practice agreement or protocols and may practice independently while maintaining collaborative relationships¹. To prescribe controlled substances, the NP must obtain a DEA registration and New York State official prescription form authorization from the Department of Health’s Bureau of Narcotics Administration², and this authority covers Schedules II–V³.

For NPs with fewer than 3,600 hours, prescribing must occur under a written practice agreement and practice protocols with a collaborating physician, and prescriptions must be issued in accordance with those documents⁴. Regardless of hours, NPs must also complete instruction in New York and federal prescribing laws and recordkeeping as part of prescriptive authority requirements⁵.