This bill seeks to expand the prescriptive authority of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Oklahoma by allowing qualified APRNs to prescribe medications independently without the need for physician supervision. To qualify for this independent authority, APRNs must have a minimum of three years of supervised practice with prescriptive authority and must apply to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing for approval, which can be renewed alongside their nursing license. The legislation also introduces a fee structure for application reviews, mandates malpractice insurance with specified minimum coverage, and outlines the process for application approval or denial, as well as the potential for revocation of prescriptive authority.

Key amendments include the removal of the requirement for APRNs to operate under the supervision of an Oklahoma licensed practitioner, thereby allowing them to prescribe independently if they have obtained the necessary authority. The bill clarifies the roles of Certified Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Certified Nurse-Midwives, specifying their ability to prescribe under supervision or independently based on their qualifications. Additionally, it establishes a Formulary Advisory Council to develop guidelines for APRN prescribing practices and emphasizes compliance with state regulations. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 59-353.1, 59-567.5a