Description
Regulations of Prescribing Furnishing Licenses and Pain Management
Obtaining a Controlled Substance Certificate
To prescribe restricted drugs as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Delaware, you must go through numerous steps. It is essential to ensure that your Delaware APRN license is still valid and that you have prescriptive authorization specific to your work and demographic of interest. You will also be required to complete a one-hour online course that discusses Delaware’s laws and initiatives related to illicit drug distribution & prescription. After compiling the necessary information, use the DELPROS web interface to send a completed application to the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) along with the required fee. Finally, remember to use the DPR-provided approved service code to conduct both state & federal background checks using IdentoGO (Division of Professional Regulation – State of Delaware [DPR], 2023). These rules are intended to ensure that APRNs have the necessary education, training, and background to undertake the obligations connected with writing prescriptions for controlled substances.
Delaware Requirements & Practice Scope for APRNs Prescribing Controlled Substances
Practical experience is just as important as education and certification. To be able to prescribe restricted medications, you must have practiced your specialty for at least 600 hours in the previous two years or 1,500 hours over the past five years. You may also be eligible if you just graduated from a qualifying program. Given your role as an APRN, you may need a formal agreement with a supervising physician for each practice location where you deliver restricted medications (Division of Professional Regulation – State of Delaware [DPR], 2023). Remember that prescription procedures must adhere to Delaware and DEA regulations, with rigorous patient assessments, paperwork, and record-keeping taking precedence. Furthermore, based on your APRN role and experience, your prescription authority may be limited to certain schedules of prohibited drugs.
Obtaining a DEA Number
To dispense prohibited drugs, you must obtain a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number. Fill out and submit the DEA Form 224 on the DEA Registration Services website to register online. Check that you have your state license, DEA training certificate, and proof of business address on hand, as well as any other supporting papers (US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division, 2023). Remember to pay the registration fee on the website. Allow a few weeks for your DEA number to be processed & approved.
Delaware’s CEU criteria for Renewal of APRN-restricted Drug Prescriptions
It is critical to continue training to keep your license to prescribe restricted medications. Schedule two hours for continuing education (CEUs) pertinent to your APRN practice, with a focus on limited medication prescribing, whenever it’s time for the APRN license renewal (Division of Professional Regulation – State of Delaware [DPR], 2020). Make certain that the CEUs are from reliable sources and have the completion certificates available in case an audit is necessary.
Delaware’s Prescription Pad Info Requirements
When writing controlled substance prescriptions in Delaware, the prescription pads should clearly show your name and contact number, state license number, APRN designation, state license number, the date of issue, the drug name, dosage, and quantity, clear instructions, and the number of refills (Delaware.gov, 2022). This information protects against any abuse or unethical prescribing practices through offering traceability & accountability along the prescription process. It advances the goal of maintaining a transparent & accountable system.
Considerations When Utilizing Telemedicine in Delaware to Prescribe Controlled Substances
Although telemedicine provides patients with additional treatment options, prescribing restricted medications requires increased caution. Before prescribing, establish a lawful patient-physician connection via allowed telemedicine sessions. Remember to employ HIPAA-compliant telemedicine systems to further protect patient privacy and data security (Health Resources & Services Administration [HRSA], 2023). Finally, make sure you follow all Delaware legislation regarding the prescription of prohibited medications as well as telemedicine consultations.
Multiple DEA numbers
In Delaware, one DEA number is typically sufficient for an APRN. However, there may be times when you need more numbers. You will certainly require a different DEA number for each location where illicit medications are dispensed (Division of Professional Regulation – State of Delaware [DPR], 2023). Similarly, if you change practice settings (for example, from solo practice to entering a hospital), you may have to renew your DEA registration and get a new number.
References:
Delaware.gov. (2022). Uniform Controlled Substances Act Regulations. https://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title24…
Division of Professional Regulation – State of Delaware [DPR]. (2020). Continuing Education and Audit Information – Division of Professional Regulation – State of Delaware. Division of Professional Regulation – State of Delaware. https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/controlledsubstanc…
Division of Professional Regulation – State of Delaware [DPR]. (2023). Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) License – Division of Professional Regulation – State of Delaware. Division of Professional Regulation – State of Delaware. https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/apnlicense…
Health Resources & Services Administration [HRSA]. (2023). Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth. telehealth.hhs.gov. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/telehealth-po…
US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division. (2023). Registration. deadiversion.usdoj.gov. https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/index.h…
