Can a South Carolina NP prescribe medication independently?

No. A South Carolina NP cannot prescribe medication independently. In South Carolina, APRNs may prescribe only under a physician practice agreement that specifies the drug therapies the APRN may prescribe, and they must obtain Board-issued prescriptive authority before prescribing¹²³. Authorized prescriptions are limited to conditions and treatments within the APRN’s specialty as set forth in the practice agreement⁴.

Controlled substance prescribing is further restricted: APRNs may prescribe Schedules III–V if listed in the agreement; Schedule II nonnarcotics up to a 30-day supply if listed; and Schedule II narcotics up to a 5-day supply unless the patient is in hospice/palliative care or a long-term care facility (up to 30 days), with subsequent Schedule II narcotic prescriptions requiring the physician’s written agreement⁴. APRNs who prescribe controlled substances must also hold a DEA registration⁵.

The practice agreement must be specific—blanket authorizations to prescribe by entire schedule are insufficient; permitted drugs should be listed (some may be by category) to the extent reasonably possible⁶. The physician must be readily available for consultation (in person or via telecommunication), and written prescription forms must include both the APRN’s and physician’s name, address, and phone number⁷⁸⁹.