What role do prescriptive authorities and DEA registration play for APRNs?

• A. APRNs are not allowed to prescribe any controlled substances.
• B. APRNs may prescribe medications only with physician consent after a long delay.
• C. APRNs require prescriptive authority under board rules and DEA registration for controlled substances.
• D. APRNs' prescribing is independent of any regulatory requirements.

Answer: (C)

Prescribing medications as an APRN requires two layers of authority: state-granted prescriptive authority and federal registration to handle controlled substances. The state board determines whether an APRN can prescribe and under what conditions, often tying authority to a protocol or collaborative arrangement with a physician depending on the state's rules. Separately, to prescribe controlled substances (like opioids or benzodiazepines), the APRN must have a DEA registration, which is applied for at the federal level and appears on prescriptions for these drugs. Together, these elements ensure that APRNs can legally prescribe medications within their scope and with the appropriate oversight. Without prescriptive authority from the state, prescriptions aren’t valid; without the DEA registration, prescriptions for controlled substances can’t be written.