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Colorado Medical Board: Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriptive Authority

Rules and Regulations regarding a Physician's role in Prescriptive Authority for Advanced Practice Nurses

Effective July 1, 2010: Physician preceptors and mentors must comply with the full rules on Prescriptive Authority adopted by the Colorado Medical Board. Failure to comply may constitute grounds for disciplinary action as set forth in section 12-36-117, C.R.S.

Summary

  • APNs who wish to obtain prescriptive authority are required to:
    • Have national certification 
    • Hold a graduate or post-graduate nursing degree 
    • Complete an 750-hour mentorship 

Summary of Requirements for the 750-hour Mentorship and Physician Mentor

  • Completed within three years of Provisional Prescriptive Authority (RXN-P) being granted.
  • Documented in writing and signed by the mentor(s) and RXN-P.
    • Outlines a process and frequency for ongoing interaction and discussion of prescriptive practice throughout the mentorship.
    • The document will be retained for three years after the completion of the mentorship by the APN (RXN-P) and the physician mentor.
  • The mentor shall not require payment or employment as a condition of entering into the mentor relationship.
  • In recognition of the mentor's time and expertise, reasonable fair market expenses may be paid. Compensation will be mutually agreed upon and shall not be onerous or represent a barrier to completion of the mentorship.
  • At the conclusion of the mentorship, the physician will sign an Attestation that the mentorship was completed.