What is a Pennsylvania NP's scope of practice?

A Pennsylvania NP’s scope of practice includes assessing, diagnosing, treating, and prescribing while practicing under a written collaborative agreement with a physician. Specifically, CRNPs may perform comprehensive assessments, medical diagnoses, order and interpret diagnostic tests within their specialty, prescribe therapeutic or corrective measures, and make referrals as set forth in statute and regulation¹²³.

Beyond these core functions, CRNPs may consult with other providers; issue oral orders as permitted by facility policy; develop treatment plans; complete admission and discharge summaries; order blood components and dietary plans; perform TANF disability assessments; certify homebound schooling; and conduct the initial assessment of methadone treatment evaluations (with methadone orders made only by a physician)¹³. NPs must only undertake practices for which they have the requisite knowledge, preparation, experience, and competency, and that fall within their certified specialty and collaborative agreement⁴.

With prescriptive authority and a prescriptive authority collaborative agreement, CRNPs may prescribe and dispense medications within their specialty; non-controlled drug prescribing is limited to specified categories and excludes certain classes⁵⁶⁷. For controlled substances, CRNPs may prescribe up to a 30-day supply of Schedule II and up to a 90-day supply of Schedule III–IV, may not prescribe Schedule I, must maintain DEA registration, and must include their NPI on controlled prescriptions⁸⁹¹⁰¹¹.