HB688 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ron Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Nursing, certified registered nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives, prescribing certain controlled substances authorized, Secs. 34-21-81, 34-21-86 am'd.

Summary

HB688 would allow certified registered nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives to prescribe certain controlled substances (Schedules III-V) in Alabama when working under physician-approved protocols.

What This Bill Does

It expands prescribing authority to include Schedule III-V controlled substances for CRNPs and CNMs, but only within collaborative practice with a physician and under an approved protocol and formulary. It creates a formal collaboration framework, requiring protocols signed by collaborating physicians and approved drug formulary, with oversight by the Joint Committee of the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Nursing. It also sets restrictions on call-in prescriptions and clarifies scope rules for clinical nurse specialists, who remain unable to prescribe. It designates the Board of Medical Examiners as the certifying board for controlled substances registrations and authorizes related rulemaking and fee setting.

Who It Affects

• Certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) in Alabama, who would be authorized to prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances under approved collaborative protocols.
• Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) in Alabama, who would have the same prescribing authority under collaborative protocols.
• Physicians who collaborate with CRNPs or CNMs, who must sign and supervise under the approved protocols.
• Patients in Alabama, who could receive prescriptions for Schedule III-V substances from CRNPs or CNMs when appropriate under protocol.
• Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), who would remain restricted from prescribing and from performing collaborative practice acts under this bill.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes CRNPs and CNMs to prescribe controlled substances in Schedules III-V under conditions in approved protocols, expanding beyond legend drugs.
• Requires a formal collaboration with physicians, with protocols signed and a formulary approved by a joint committee and the two licensing boards.
• Prohibits initiating call-in prescriptions for drugs not authorized by the protocol unless the physician has provided a formal order and written/verbal order requirements are met.
• Allows CRNPs/CNMs to administer legend drugs including Schedule III-V substances that have been lawfully ordered by an authorized practitioner.
• Designates the Board of Medical Examiners as the certifying board for controlled substances registrations and authorizes rules and reasonable fees related to prescribing/dispensing by CRNPs/CNMs.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Nursing, Board of