Can a Ohio NP prescribe medication independently?

An Ohio NP cannot prescribe medication independently. In Ohio, a nurse practitioner’s prescriptive authority is exercised under a standard care arrangement with a collaborating physician, and the agreement must describe the scope of prescribing¹². An NP’s prescribing cannot exceed the collaborating physician’s authority, confirming that prescriptive authority is not independent³.

APRNs may prescribe controlled substances in Schedules III–V and, in limited circumstances, Schedule II⁴. A Schedule II prescription by an APRN is allowed only when the patient has a terminal condition, a physician initially prescribed the drug, and the amount is limited to a 72-hour supply⁴. Additional requirements apply to prescribing opioids and to prescribing opioid analgesics to minors⁵⁶.

The standard care arrangement must include prescribing-related quality assurance elements—such as prescribing parameters, provisions for Schedule II use, OARRS checks, and processes for consultation and chart review⁷⁸. At least annually, the collaborating physician must conduct periodic random chart review that includes prescribing patterns and Schedule II prescribing, as indicated⁹.