SB131 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Advanced practice nursing, titles and definitions revised, clinical nurse specialists authorized to collaborate with physicians, Sec. 34-21-90.1 added; Secs. 34-21-80, 34-21-81, 34-21-83 to 34-21-92, inclusive, am'd.

Summary

SB131 would modernize Alabama's advanced practice nursing laws by updating APRN titles, expanding collaboration for clinical nurse specialists, and strengthening certification and title protections.

What This Bill Does

It updates the titles and scope of advanced practice registered nurses and allows clinical nurse specialists to collaborate with physicians under defined protocols. It requires APRNs to be certified by the Board of Nursing to practice and creates penalties for practicing without certification. It establishes a framework for collaboration, including protocols, a formulary for prescribing, and oversight by a joint committee of the two state boards. It also protects APRN titles and abbreviations, and sets effective rules for who may prescribe and how, with specific restrictions for CNSs and prescribing rights for CRNPs and CNMs; the bill notes local-funding considerations under Amendment 621 but falls under exceptions so it can become law without a local vote.

Who It Affects

• Advanced practice registered nurses (CRNPs, CNMs, CNSs, and CRNAs) who would see updated titles, new collaboration requirements, and certification rules; CNSs may collaborate under protocols but have restrictions on certain acts and prescribing.
• Physicians in Alabama who would collaborate with APRNs under written protocols, provide oversight, and participate in the joint committee and protocol development.
• Board of Nursing and State Board of Medical Examiners, which would certify APRNs, approve protocols, set standards, and enforce rules and disciplinary actions.
• Patients and the general public who could receive care through clarified, protocol-driven APRN practices and improved collaboration between nurses and physicians.

Key Provisions

• Replaces and amends multiple sections (34-21-80, -81, -83 to -92) and adds 34-21-90.1 to revise APRN titles, definitions, and scope.
• Adds four APRN categories: CRNP, CNM, CRNA, and CNS, each with defined roles and collaborative requirements.
• Authorizes clinical nurse specialists (CNS) to engage in collaborative practices with physicians in certain circumstances, subject to established protocols; CNSs may apply to enter such collaborations.
• CRNPs and CNMs may collaborate with physicians under protocols and may prescribe legend drugs if allowed by an approved protocol and formulary; CNSs cannot prescribe and have restricted authority, including limits on acting as a delegated physician or prescribing.
• The Joint Committee of the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Nursing will develop model protocols, a formulary of eligible legend drugs, and rules about physician-to-nurse practitioner ratios, with exceptions.
• A new Section 34-21-90.1 creates APRN titles (APRNs, followed by CRNA, CNP, CNM, or CNS) and makes it unlawful to use APRN titles or abbreviations without appropriate certification, classifying violations as a Class C misdemeanor.
• Disciplinary and enforcement tools include board actions for violations of prescribing and protocol rules, and quo warranto-style actions to stop unlawful practice; waivers and transition rules apply until new regulations are adopted.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval; local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 are addressed to allow the act to take effect under specified exceptions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Nurse Practitioners