Medical Professionals Authorized to Prescribe Medication Under Colorado Law
- Acupuncturist (L.Ac., R.Ac., or Dipl.Ac.) Requirements and Limits
- Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriptive Authority (APN RXN) Requirements and Limits
- Dentist (DDS, DMD) Requirements and Limits
- Dental Hygienist (RDH) Requirements and Limits
- Direct-Entry Midwife (CPM)Requirements and Limits
- Naturopathic Doctor (ND) Requirements and Limits
- Optometrist (OD) Requirements and Limits
- Physician (MD, DO) Requirements and Limits
- Physician Assistant (PA) Requirements and Limits
- Podiatrist (DPM) Requirements and Limits
- Veterinarian (DVM) Requirements and Limits
Acupuncturist
Degree: Diploma program in acupuncture and oriental medicine accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).
Requirements: Colorado License
Prescriptive Authority: May not prescribe a prescription drug or controlled substance.
Procurement Authority: Acupuncturists may procure, but not prescribe, sodium chloride (saline), sterile water, glucose, d-glucose, dextrose, lidocaine, procaine, marcaine, vitamins, traumeel, sarapin, enzymes (except urokinase), homeopathic substances within the U.S. Pharmacopia, hyaluronic acid, minerals, epinephrine, and medical oxygen from an in-state prescription drug outlet, Board-registered prescription drug wholesaler, or drug manufacturer.
Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriptive Authority
License: Colorado APN with a Colorado RXN
Requirements:
- Colorado Registered Nurses listed on the Board of Nursing Advanced Practice Registry who have been issued a Prescriptive Authority (RXN) by the Board of Nursing.
- Patients within the advanced practice nurse's role (NP, CNS, CNM or CRNA) and for Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialist, population focus (ie Neonatal, Pediatric, Women's\' Health, Adult, Family, Mental Health, etc).
- May practice independently without a supervising physician.
- Must have their own DEA registration number to prescribe controlled substances.
Prescriptive Authority:
- Patients within the advanced practice nurse's role and population focus.
- May practice and prescribe independently without a supervising physician.
- Must have their own DEA registration number to prescribe controlled substances.
Procurement Authority: APRNs are authorized to dispense or distribute to patients or clients a therapeutic regimen of prepackaged drugs prepared by a licensed pharmacist or drug manufacturer registered with the FDA and appropriately labeled, free samples supplied by a drug manufacturer, and distributing drugs for administration and use by other individuals as authorized by law.
Dentist
Degree: DDS or DMD
Requirements: Colorado License
Prescriptive Authority: Any drug necessary to the proper practice of dentistry.
Procurement Authority: May procure any drug from an in-state prescription drug outlet, Board-registered prescription drug wholesaler, or drug manufacturer for which there is an authority to prescribe the drug.
Dental Hygienist
Degree: RDH
Requirements: Colorado License
Prescriptive Authority: Fluoride (supplements, rinses, varnish, topicals), antimicrobial solutions for mouth rinsing, and other non-systemic antimicrobial agents in collaboration with a licensed dentist.
Procurement Authority: May procure any drug from an in-state prescription drug outlet, Board-registered prescription drug wholesaler, or drug manufacturer for which there is an authority to prescribe the drug.
Direct-Entry Midwife
Degree: CPM
Requirements: Colorado Registration and Designated Authority as detailed below.
Prescriptive Authority: May not prescribe a prescription drug or controlled substance.
Procurement Authority:
- Direct-entry midwives with an MWM authority may procure, but not prescribe, only vitamin K, rhoD immune globulin, oxytocin, methylergonovine, misoprostol, antibiotics for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) prophylaxis and erythromycin ophthalmic ointment from an in-state prescription drug outlet, Board-registered prescription drug wholesaler, or drug manufacturer.
- Direct-entry midwives with a MIV authority may procure, but not prescribe, only 0.9% sodium chloride and lactated ringers intravenous solution from an in-state prescription drug outlet, Board-registered prescription drug wholesaler, or drug manufacturer.
Naturopathic Doctor
Degree: ND
Requirements: Colorado Registration
Prescriptive Authority: May prescribe medicines and devices detailed in Rule 1.7 of the Naturopathic Doctors Rules and Regulations.
Procurement Authority: Naturopathic doctors may procure medicines and devices detailed in Rule 1.7 of the Naturopathic Doctors Rules and Regulations from an in-state prescription drug outlet, Board-registered prescription drug wholesaler, or drug manufacturer.
Optometrist
Degree: OD
Requirements: Colorado License and Certification as a Therapeutic Optometrist (TPA)
Prescriptive Authority:
- May prescribe any prescription drug or Schedule ll narcotic controlled substances limited to hydrocodone combination drugs, Schedule III, IV or V narcotic controlled substances for the treatment of ocular disease.
- May not prescribe injectable drugs except for epinephrine.
Procurement Authority: May procure any drug from an in-state prescription drug outlet, Board-registered prescription drug wholesaler, or drug manufacturer for which there is an authority to prescribe the drug.
Physician
Degree: MD or DO
Requirements: Colorado License
Prescriptive Authority:
- Any drug within the course of legitimate professional practice.
- May not prescribe any Schedule II controlled substance for self or family except in an emergency.
Procurement Authority: May procure any drug from an in-state prescription drug outlet, Board-registered prescription drug wholesaler, or drug manufacturer for which there is an authority to prescribe the drug.
Physician Assistant
Degree: Masters or Equivalent
Requirements: Colorado Certification by Medical Board
Prescriptive Authority:
- Must be within the scope of practice of supervising physician.
- Must have their own DEA registration number to prescribe controlled substances.
Podiatrist
Degree: DPM
Requirements: Colorado License
Prescriptive Authority: Any drug within the course of legitimate professional practice.
Procurement Authority: May procure any drug from an in-state prescription drug outlet, Board-registered prescription drug wholesaler, or drug manufacturer for which there is an authority to prescribe the drug.
Veterinarian
Degree: DVM
Requirements: Colorado License
Prescriptive Authority: Independent Authority for any drug within the course of legitimate professional practice.
Procurement Authority: May procure any drug from an in-state prescription drug outlet, Board-registered prescription drug wholesaler, or drug manufacturer for which there is an authority to prescribe the drug.