Can a Ohio NP prescribe controlled substances without supervision?

No. An Ohio NP cannot prescribe controlled substances without supervision; prescriptive practice must occur under a standard care arrangement with a collaborating physician¹. The collaborating physician must be continuously available for communication, and the NP’s prescriptive authority may not exceed that of the collaborating physician²³.

Ohio APRNs may prescribe controlled substances in Schedules III–V, and may prescribe Schedule II substances only when the patient has a terminal condition, a physician initially prescribed the drug, and the amount does not exceed a single 72-hour supply⁴. The standard care arrangement must also address the prescribing component, including parameters for drugs and devices, provisions for Schedule II use, OARRS checks, and related quality assurance processes⁵⁶.

Quality assurance must include at least annual periodic random chart reviews (including prescribing patterns and any Schedule II prescribing) by the collaborating physician, with feedback and patient care evaluation processes⁷. Special requirements apply to opioids and to prescribing opioid analgesics to minors, as set forth in statute and Board rules⁸⁹¹⁰.