SB554 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg J. Reed

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Nurses, certified registered nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives, authorized to prescribe certain controlled substances, Secs. 20-2-214, 20-2-217 am'd; Secs. 20-2-250 to 20-2-259, inclusive, added

Summary

SB554 would let certified registered nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives prescribe certain controlled substances in Alabama through a Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances Registration Certificate (QACSC) and create a regulatory framework for certification, oversight, and PDMP integration.

What This Bill Does

Creates a new Article 11 to allow CRNPs and CNMs to prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances under collaborative practice agreements, with the Board of Medical Examiners as the certifying authority and to adopt related rules. Establishes qualifications to obtain a QACSC (including 12 months of active practice under collaboration and approved advanced pharmacology training) and outlines the process for applying, renewing, and disciplining a QACSC. Limits use of the QACSC to prescribing, administering, or dispensing only certain controlled substances, requires adherence to board-approved formularies, prohibits stockpiling and self-related prescribing, and sets grounds for denial or disciplinary action with an appeals process. Expands access to the controlled substances prescription database for boards, collaborating physicians, CRNPs/CNMs with QACSC, pharmacists under specified conditions, law enforcement, and department staff; imposes a $10 annual surcharge on CS registration certificates to fund the PDMP.

Who It Affects

• CRNPs and CNMs who would obtain a QACSC and gain authority to prescribe certain controlled substances under collaborative practice with physicians.
• Patients receiving care from CRNPs or CNMs with a QACSC who may be prescribed Schedule III-V substances.

Key Provisions

• Designates the Board of Medical Examiners as the certifying board for obtaining/renewing a QACSC for CRNPs and CNMs, and authorizes rules, fees, punishments, and disciplinary hearings; creates a unique QACSC number.
• Requires 12 months of active clinical practice under a collaborative practice agreement and completion of approved courses on advanced pharmacology and prescribing trends to qualify for a QACSC.
• Allows prescribing, administering, and dispensing of Schedule III-V controlled substances, subject to board rules and an approved formulary; prohibits stockpiling and self-related prescribing.
• Gives the board authority to deny, suspend, revoke, or fine a QACSC; provides an appeals process; allows immediate effect of orders with limited stays upon judicial review; and requires notification to the DEA of certain actions.
• Authorizes access to records and the PDMP for specified parties (boards, supervising physicians, CRNPs/CNMs with QACSC, pharmacists, law enforcement, department staff) under defined conditions.
• Imposes a $10 annual surcharge on CS registration certificates to fund the Alabama PDMP; collected by the certifying boards and used for PDMP development and maintenance.
• Provides immunity from lawsuits for board members and staff for actions taken in official duties related to investigations or hearings.
• Authorizes the board to adopt necessary rules to implement the article; becomes effective on the first day of the fifth month after passage/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

Nurses and Nursing