Prescriptive Authority
APRN Prescriptive Authority
Prescriptive authority grants qualified Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (NPs, CNSs, and CNMs) in West Virginia the legal authorization to prescribe legend drugs and controlled substances in accordance with state laws and board regulations.
Core Components & Requirements
Initial Application
To qualify for prescriptive authority, APRNs must meet advanced coursework criteria and maintain an unencumbered license.
- Active WV APRN License
- 45 contact hours of advanced pharmacology, 15 of which need to have been completed within 2 years of the application date.
- Application and fee submitted via Nurse Portal
Collaborative Agreement
APRNs practicing under prescriptive authority must maintain a Collaborative Agreement for Prescriptive Authority with a collaborating physician.
- Must be signed by APRN and collaborating physician
- APRN signature must be notarized
- Maintained on-site at practice location(s)
- Notification required upon starting or ending agreement
Pharmacology CE Mandate
Prescriptive authority requires ongoing continuing education to remain active during biennial renewal cycles.
- 12 contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics every 2 years
- Includes mandatory hours on Drug Diversion & Best Practice Prescribing
💊 Prescribing Controlled Substances (DEA & CSMP)
Prescriptive authority granted by the Board does not automatically permit prescribing controlled substances. To prescribe Schedules II–V, APRNs must separately obtain a federal DEA registration and register with the West Virginia Controlled Substances Monitoring Program (CSMP). Wait until your prescriptive authority is approved before submitting your DEA application.
⚠️ Automatic Lapsing Notice
Prescriptive authority is tied directly to your West Virginia APRN license and underlying RN license. If your RN or APRN license lapses, expires, or becomes inactive, your prescriptive authority is immediately invalidated.
Forms & Managing Your Prescriptive Authority
Submitting or Updating Collaborative Agreements
When starting practice, adding a new collaborating physician, or changing practice locations, you must update your records with the Board:
- Download and complete the official Collaborative Agreement Form (see completion guidelines below).
- Complete RXA Change Application, available in the Other Applications section of your Nurse Portal.
- Upload the signed and notarized agreement directly through the Nurse Portal using the Message Center or attach to the RXA change application.
- Notify the Board immediately of any termination or change in your collaborative relationship.
Guidelines & Instructions for Completing the Collaborative Agreement Form
Please complete the Board form in its entirety. Additional pages may be attached, but all required questions on the official form must be answered. Any supplementary pages must conform strictly to West Virginia law and rules.
🖋️ Mandatory Signature & Notary Requirement
Both parties must sign the agreement. The APRN's signature must be witnessed by a Notary Public on the date signed. Incomplete or unnotarized forms cannot be accepted.
Form Question Instructions & Examples
Question 1: Protocols & Published References
List mutually agreed-upon written protocols and published reference materials used in your prescribing practice (reference books, textbooks, or clinical websites).
- Example: Fenstermacher, K. & Hudson, B. (2024). Practice Guidelines for Family Nurse Practitioners, 6th Edition. Elsevier.
Question 2: Agreed Statement of Responsibilities & Prescribing Scope
Detail the responsibilities each person agrees to perform. The APRN must agree to abide by W. Va. Code §30-7-1 et seq., Legislative Rule 19CSR8, DEA regulations, and CSMP rules.
- Schedule I Prohibited: APRNs may not prescribe Schedule I controlled substances (§60A-2-204).
- Schedule II Limitation: APRNs may prescribe up to a 3-day supply of Schedule II narcotics (§60A-2-206).
- Podiatrist Collaboration Note: For APRNs collaborating with a Podiatrist, the agreement must explicitly state that prescribing is limited to the practice of podiatry as defined in W. Va. Code §30-3-4(4).
Questions 3 & 4: Chart Review Frequency & Quantity
Specify the agreed-upon number and frequency of patient charts the physician will review. Responses must be realistic and cannot contradict state code or legislative rules.
Dissolving/Terminating a Collaborative Agreement
When a collaborative practice relationship with a collaborating physician ends—whether initiated by the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or the physician—the Board must be notified promptly to maintain accurate regulatory records.
⚠️ Impact on Prescriptive Authority Privileges
If you dissolve a collaborative agreement and do not have another active collaborative agreement on file—and have not been granted independent prescriptive authority under W. Va. Code §30-7-15b(e)—your prescriptive authority privileges will automatically transition to inactive status. Prescribing while privileges are inactive is a violation of state law and legislative rules.
Step-by-Step Dissolution Process
- Log into your account in the Nurse Portal.
- Scroll down to the Other Applications section and select RXA Change Request.
- In the list of questions when asked Are you requesting to dissolve/terminate an Active Collaborative Agreement select Yes.
- Attach the Dissolvement/Termination of Collaborative Agreement form to this question. You may also mail or email the form to aprn@wv.gov.
- If replacing the agreement, upload your new signed Collaborative Practice Agreement; otherwise, submit the application to officially update your status.
Paper Form & Statutory Requirements
Board of Pharmacy Notice: Pursuant to W. Va. Code §30-7-15c(d), the Board of Registered Nurses is required to notify the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy within 24 hours of any termination or status change in an APRN's prescriptive authority.
Verifying Prescriptive Authority Status
Employers, pharmacies, and healthcare systems can verify an APRN's prescriptive authority status at any time through our free primary source verification system.