Can an NP prescribe Hydrocodone in Florida?

Yes, but with limits — Florida NPs may prescribe hydrocodone when authorized, but hydrocodone and hydrocodone combination products are Schedule II in Florida.³ Florida generally limits APRN Schedule II prescriptions to a 7-day supply.¹ The psychiatric-medication exception to the general 7-day Schedule II rule does not apply to hydrocodone prescribed for pain.

For acute pain, a Schedule II opioid hydrocodone prescription is generally capped at 3 days. It may extend to no more than 7 days only when medically necessary, marked ACUTE PAIN EXCEPTION, and supported by the required documentation; nonacute-pain prescriptions must state NONACUTE PAIN.² The statutory definition of acute pain excludes cancer, terminal conditions, palliative care, and qualifying severe traumatic injury.

Before prescribing, the NP must meet applicable requirements, including education, training, experience, and protocol or qualifying autonomous primary-care authority; qualifying graduate education for controlled-substance prescribing; DEA registration; and Florida PDMP review before prescribing unless a statutory exception applies. Florida APRNs must also follow acute-pain controlled-substance practice standards, including evaluation, planning, consent, review, consultation, and recordkeeping requirements.⁴