Can an NP prescribe Valium in California?

Yes — California nurse practitioners may prescribe Valium (diazepam), a benzodiazepine and Schedule IV controlled substance, when they have California controlled-substance furnishing authority and DEA registration.¹² They must also practice within their education, training, competence, and scope.

For NPs practicing under standardized procedures, Valium must be authorized and specified in the standardized procedure because California furnishing authority for Schedule II-V drugs is limited to drugs specified there.¹ Because Valium is Schedule IV, the patient-specific protocol rule California applies to Schedule II or III controlled substances is not triggered. Qualifying NPs practicing under Sections 2837.103 or 2837.104 may prescribe controlled substances without standardized procedures when that statutory pathway applies.³

California prescribers generally must also consult CURES before first prescribing Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substances and periodically thereafter if continued.⁴

This FAQ does not address separate psychiatric-specialty, telehealth, payer, or facility policy requirements.