Frequently Asked Questions

Yes.

No, filing of original signed protocols gives you prescriptive privileges. APRNs cannot prescribe controlled substances in the State of Florida.

Pharmacy rules require that all the information necessary to properly label the prescription container be included on the prescription. The pharmacist is required to put the prescriber’s name on the medication label.

If it is in your protocols that you are to dispense medications for a fee, you must be authorized to dispense. Dispensing is writing and filling a prescription and selling the medication to a patient. Giving samples is not dispensing. The dispensing license must also be renewed when renewing your APRN license. You may add dispensing to your license from your online account under “Manage my License” or you may submit the Dispensing Practitioner Application to the Board.

Effective June 23, 2017, under HB453, in accordance with 464.012 and 458.348 Florida Statutes under Chapter 456, the Board of Nursing will no longer be required to receive, review, or maintain Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner protocols.

464.012(3), F.S. An advanced registered nurse practitioner shall perform those functions authorized in this section within the framework of an established protocol which must be maintained onsite at the location or locations at which an advanced registered nurse practitioner practices. In the case of multiple supervising physicians in the same group, an advanced registered nurse practitioner must enter into a supervisory protocol with at least one physician within the physician group practice.

Only one APRN can be listed on a protocol.

A minimum of one physician is required to be listed on a protocol as the primary supervising physician. A back-up physician may be included in the protocol if the APRN or facility wishes to appoint a secondary physician.

Yes, if the medical director is in agreement.

No, an APRN can have one protocol entailing one page that includes the signatures, license numbers and DEA numbers of all the physicians that will be supervising them.

Yes, the supervising physician that you list on your protocol must be licensed in Florida.

No, according to the section 464.022(7), F.S., an APRN who is currently employed by the U.S. government, or any bureau, division or agency thereof does not need to have a protocol.

No, any APRN who is not currently practicing in Florida does not need to send a protocol, but you will need to submit a Financial Responsibility Form to our Board office and check the corresponding box.