What must be in a Colorado NP collaborative practice agreement?

A Colorado NP collaborative practice agreement must take the form of a written Mentorship Agreement used when an APRN seeks prescriptive authority¹. Colorado APRNs otherwise practice independently². The Mentorship Agreement must be documented in writing and signed by the APRN and Mentor(s), and it must outline the process, documentation, and frequency of ongoing synchronous communication about prescriptive practice to ensure safe prescribing³.

Synchronous communication means real-time interactions (such as audio, web, or video conferencing) conducted securely and specifically excludes email³⁴. The mentorship may be conducted remotely if communication is synchronous; the Mentor cannot require employment or payment as a condition of the mentorship, may receive a reasonable stipend, and must attest to the APRN’s successful completion of the mentorship⁵. The agreement should also identify a qualified Mentor who meets Board criteria (licensed, in good standing, actively practicing in Colorado, and appropriately aligned with the APRN’s role and population focus)⁶.

Administrative requirements include retaining the Mentorship Agreement for three years and making it available to the Board upon request⁷. APRNs and Mentors must provide documentation of successful mentorship completion as needed for the APRN’s application for Full Prescriptive Authority, and if a Mentor cannot continue, the APRN must secure a replacement and enter a new Mentorship Agreement⁸⁹.