Currently, Texas advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)—including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse midwives—require a written agreement with a physician to prescribe drugs and medications. These prescriptive authority agreements authorize the medications and controlled substances the APRN may prescribe and the level of oversight the physician exercises. Under HB 1756, APRNs would no longer need physician oversight to prescribe.

If HB 1756 passes, APRNs would now be able to prescribe once the nursing board authorizes them. The bill would require that the nursing board adopt rules and policies for this process. The process could require additional and specialized training. Under this bill, the board would be able to authorize up to Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances as well as dangerous and non-prescription drugs. If passed, HB 1756 would make APRNs independent practitioners in Texas.

The majority of states allow nurse practitioners to practice independently. Most states have begun to reduce oversight or provide more flexibility but still retain the physician oversight. HB 1756 would solidly go along with this trend in providing independence for APRNs. If you would like additional information, to read the language of the bill or to contact the sponsors or committee, you can find the information you need through this link HB 1756.