Can an NP prescribe Hydrocodone in Pennsylvania?

Yes — Pennsylvania CRNPs may prescribe hydrocodone, a Schedule II opioid, if they have current prescriptive authority approval and prescribe within their specialty under a physician prescriptive authority collaborative agreement.¹⁴

For Schedule II hydrocodone, the collaborative agreement must identify that authority and the prescription may not exceed a 30-day supply.² CRNPs prescribing controlled substances must have DEA registration and follow applicable controlled-substance prescribing standards.³ Prescriptive authority approval also requires at least 45 hours of advanced pharmacology coursework, and CRNPs must comply with applicable Safe Emergency Prescribing Act requirements for emergency, urgent care, or observation settings.

Pennsylvania also requires a PDMP query each time an opioid drug product is prescribed.⁵ CRNPs may not prescribe Schedule I controlled substances or delegate prescriptive authority.