Can a New York NP prescribe medication independently?

A New York NP can prescribe medication independently only after accruing more than 3,600 practice hours; at that point, the NP is not required to have a written practice agreement or protocols with a collaborating physician¹. Before reaching 3,600 hours, an NP’s prescriptions must be issued in accordance with a written practice agreement and written practice protocols with a collaborating physician²³.

Regardless of hours, NPs may only prescribe after completing instruction in New York and federal prescription laws and recordkeeping and obtaining a Department certificate that includes an appropriate pharmacology component, which indicates authorization to prescribe⁴³. Prescription forms must be printed with the NP’s name, certificate number, office address, and telephone number⁵. In independent practice, NPs must maintain collaborative relationships and complete and maintain the Department’s attestation form; if disputes about patient care cannot be resolved, the physician’s recommendation prevails¹.

To prescribe controlled substances, NPs must obtain a DEA registration and New York State Official Prescription Forms or authorization to prescribe controlled substances from the Department of Health’s Bureau of Narcotics Administration⁶.