What are the requirements of a physician to collaborate with a Kentucky NP?

A physician collaborating with a Kentucky NP must be licensed in Kentucky and enter the appropriate written agreement—CAPA‑NS for nonscheduled legend drugs or the standardized Form CAPA‑CS for controlled substances—with the APRN¹². In both arrangements, the physician must be in the same or a similar specialty as the APRN³⁴. Both agreements must be reviewed by the parties and are not a substitute for the physician’s independent professional judgment⁵⁶⁷⁸.

For CAPA‑NS (nonscheduled legend drugs), the collaboration agreement must⁹¹⁰:

• Be in writing and identify both parties (name, practice address, phone number, and license number).
• State the APRN’s population focus and area of practice, and confirm same or similar specialty alignment between the APRN and physician.
• Define the scope of nonscheduled legend drug prescriptive authority and describe how the APRN and physician will collaborate and communicate about prescribing.
• Be signed by the APRN and the collaborating physician and completed on the Common CAPA‑NS form.

In Kentucky, “collaboration” means a relationship for prescribing that includes autonomous and cooperative decision‑making by both professionals, each contributing their expertise¹¹.

For CAPA‑CS (controlled substances), physicians must use the Board’s standardized Form CAPA‑CS, and ensure it²¹²¹³:

• Shows the APRN and physician are qualified in the same specialty and is in writing.
• Describes collaboration and communication, states any agreed limits on controlled‑substance prescribing, and includes any communication requirements.
• Is signed by both parties.

At the outset of a CAPA‑CS, the APRN and collaborating physician must review all statutes and regulations governing APRN controlled‑substance prescribing¹⁴. During the first year of a CAPA‑CS, the parties must meet at least quarterly (in person or via video, with telephonic option if infeasible) to review the APRN’s reverse KASPER/PDMP report and keep written records subject to audit; in years two through four, meetings must occur at least biannually¹⁵¹⁶. Either party may rescind the CAPA‑CS with 30 days’ registered‑mail notice; upon rescission, the APRN must notify the Board and the Board will notify the medical board⁶.