Can an NP prescribe Ritalin in California?

Only in narrow circumstances — California NPs may prescribe Ritalin (methylphenidate), a Schedule II stimulant, only when Schedule II furnishing requirements are satisfied or the NP qualifies under California’s 103/104 independent-practice authority.¹⁴

Under the standardized-procedure pathway, Schedule II drugs must be specified in the standardized procedure, and Schedule II or III controlled substances require a patient-specific protocol approved by the treating or supervising physician.¹²

The NP must also have an active California NP furnishing number when furnishing, DEA registration, and Schedule II continuing education; prescribing must stay within education, training, competence, scope, and applicable protocols or independent-practice authority, and CURES review is generally required for Schedule II-IV controlled-substance prescribing unless an exemption applies.³⁵