Can a Pennsylvania NP prescribe controlled substances?

Yes. A Pennsylvania Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) can prescribe controlled substances, but only within a prescriptive authority collaborative agreement and under strict limits. Specifically, a CRNP may prescribe up to a 30‑day supply of Schedule II and up to a 90‑day supply of Schedule III–IV controlled substances, as identified in the collaborative agreement¹. Controlled substance prescribing must occur under a prescriptive authority collaborative agreement with a collaborating physician², and CRNPs are prohibited from prescribing or dispensing Schedule I drugs³.

Before prescribing any controlled substance, the CRNP must register with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)⁴, and controlled‑substance prescriptions must include the CRNP’s National Provider Identifier (NPI)⁵. CRNPs must also meet minimum standards: conduct an initial evaluation and physical exam, recommend follow‑ups, counsel the patient, and document the drug, strength, quantity, and date in the record⁶.

In emergencies for a known patient, a prudent short‑term controlled‑substance prescription may be issued, but no refills or consecutive emergency prescriptions are allowed without first performing a physical examination and evaluation documented in the record⁷. If a Schedule II controlled substance is prescribed orally in an emergency, a written prescription must be delivered to the pharmacist within 72 hours⁷.