Under what arrangements may APRNs have prescriptive authority?

• A. Under protocol or collaborative arrangements
• B. Independently prescribing without any agreement
• C. Only in hospital settings
• D. Only for non-controlled substances

Answer: (A)

Prescriptive authority for APRNs in Florida comes only through a formal written protocol or a collaborative practice arrangement with a physician. This arrangement sets the scope of what can be prescribed, the patient populations served, and the required physician consultation or oversight. It ensures patient safety while allowing the APRN to manage care across a variety of settings, not just in hospitals. Independent prescribing without such an agreement isn’t permitted, and prescribing controlled substances is possible under the arrangement if the APRN has the necessary credentials and DEA registration.