Can an NP prescribe Ritalin in North Carolina?

Yes — North Carolina NPs with active NP approval and prescriptive authority may prescribe Ritalin (methylphenidate), a Schedule II stimulant, when prescribing is within the NP’s population focus, education, national certification, scope, and competence and is authorized by the collaborative practice agreement.¹²³

For Schedule II controlled-substance prescribing, the NP must have DEA authority, and the primary supervising physician must have controlled-substance authority equal to or greater than the NP’s DEA registration.² Controlled-substance prescriptions must include the NP’s DEA number and be documented in the patient record.

North Carolina STOP Act guidance states that Ritalin and other ADHD stimulants are not targeted controlled substances under the STOP Act.⁴

North Carolina NPs may not prescribe controlled substances for themselves, their supervising physician, immediate family members, household members, or intimate partners.