Can a Texas NP prescribe controlled substances?

Yes. A Texas NP can prescribe controlled substances, but only under a physician’s delegated authority within a prescriptive authority agreement¹. NPs may prescribe Schedule III–V controlled substances subject to specific limits, and may prescribe Schedule II only in limited settings such as a hospital facility‑based practice or as part of a hospice plan of care for a terminally ill patient²³.

For Schedules III–V, any prescription, including refills, may not exceed a 90‑day supply; refills require prior consultation with the delegating physician with the consultation noted in the patient’s chart; and prescriptions for children under two years old require physician consultation documented in the chart².

For Schedule II, delegation is permitted only in a hospital facility‑based practice or for terminally ill patients receiving hospice care as part of the plan of care³. The NP must also hold DEA registration authorizing Schedule II and have a prescriptive authority agreement in place, as advised by the Texas Board of Pharmacy⁴¹. All APRN prescriptions must include required elements such as patient and drug information, directions, identifiers for both the physician and APRN, date, and the number of refills⁵.