What is a Kentucky NP's scope of practice?

A Kentucky NP’s scope of practice includes prescribing medications and ordering treatments, devices, and diagnostic tests, and performing procedures consistent with APRN scope and standards of practice¹. Kentucky APRNs must be certified in one of four roles (CRNA, CNM, CNP, CNS) and practice within a defined population focus (e.g., family, adult-gerontology, neonatal, pediatrics, women’s health, psychiatric/mental health)²³.

For prescriptive authority, NPs must follow collaborative agreements: a written CAPA-NS is required to prescribe nonscheduled legend drugs for the first four years in the APRN’s certified population focus⁴, and a standardized CAPA-CS with a Kentucky-licensed physician is required to prescribe controlled substances (Schedules II–V)⁵. Controlled-substance prescribing is subject to statutory schedule limitations for quantities and refills⁶, and APRNs authorized to prescribe may issue prescriptions electronically⁷.

After completing four years under a CAPA-NS, an APRN in good standing may notify the Board and, subject to Board approval, is no longer required to maintain the CAPA-NS for nonscheduled legend drugs⁸. After four years of CAPA-CS practice (with DEA registration and a KASPER master account), an APRN may apply for Board approval to be exempt from the CAPA-CS; prescribing controlled substances without a collaborating physician is permitted only after the Board grants the exemption⁹¹⁰.