What is a New Jersey NP's scope of practice?

A New Jersey NP’s scope of practice includes all registered nurse functions plus advanced practice: managing preventive care, diagnosing and managing deviations from wellness and long-term illnesses, and performing advanced procedures¹. APNs may initiate laboratory and other diagnostic tests; prescribe or order medications, devices, and treatments (including referrals); and perform specific procedures within their scope¹. In New Jersey, nurse practitioners are certified as Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs)²³.

Prescriptive authority is generally exercised under a written joint protocol with a collaborating physician; unless an APN qualifies for independent practice and prescribing under recent statutory changes, a joint protocol is required to prescribe medications and devices⁴. Effective March 30, 2026, certain qualifying APNs may practice and prescribe without a joint protocol, subject to eligibility criteria; APNs who do not qualify remain subject to the joint‑protocol requirements⁵.

Additional authorities within an APN’s scope include certifying cause of death when serving as the attending APN and primary caregiver if no collaborating physician is available⁶. APNs may also authorize qualifying patients for the medical use of cannabis and issue written instructions, consistent with joint protocols and state requirements⁷.