Prescribing Standards for Nurse Practitioners

These Prescribing Standards for Nurse Practitioners are developed and approved as outlined in Section 133 of the Health Professions Act (HPA, 2000).

This document outlines expectations for safe nurse practitioner (NP) prescribing including

•  professional responsibilities and accountabilities;
•  restrictions to prescribing;
•  legal obligations; and
• requirements for managing opioid use disorder (OUD).

NPs are health-care professionals with additional graduate education and clinical practice experience. Educated in both nursing theory and advanced skills, NPs possess the knowledge and competence to independently diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe 
pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, and perform procedures. The broad scope of NP prescribing practice facilitates comprehensive, timely, and holistic care for clients.

In Alberta, NPs have the authority to prescribe drugs (Scheduled Drugs Regulations, Alta Reg 66/2007) and substances. This authority arises from various provincial and federal legislation and regulations. See Appendix A for more information on the regulatory framework for NP 
prescribing.