Revised Regulations Now Permit DOs to Collaborate with CRNPs
The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs recently reversed an opinion that had prevented osteopathic physicians (DOs) from entering into collaborative agreements with certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) that allow CRNPs to prescribe medications.
Previously, the Medical Practice Act had language authorizing collaborative agreements for medical doctors (MDs) but the Osteopathic Act did not. Legislative action placed the authorization for collaborative agreements solely in the Nursing Act, rendering its presence in other acts moot. Nursing Board regulations use the term “physician,” meaning either an MD or DO.
Following a legal analysis performed by the Bureau, the new interpretation concludes that recent changes in applicable statutes are sufficient to remove the barriers to these agreements. Consequently, the Bureau is now advising DOs that they may enter into collaborative agreements with CRNPs if they wish to do so.
Both DOs and MDs must file agreements with the Nursing Board. Find the application for CRNP prescriptive authority on the State Board of Nursing's Web page.
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Last Updated: 1/18/2008