Prescribing & DEA Roadmap

Louisiana Nurse Practitioner Prescriptive authority

Separate professional authority, state registration and federal DEA steps.

Last researched October 3, 2026

Showing findings with official source evidence. Check the conditions for each requirement and confirm your circumstances with the board.

Use the boxes to track your preparation. Checking an item does not verify compliance.

Who may prescribe

APRN/NP may perform medical diagnosis and prescription only in accordance with a collaborative practice agreement (statutory exception possible)

Acts of medical diagnosis and prescription by an advanced practice registered nurse must be in accordance with a collaborative practice agreement, except as otherwise provided in R.S. 37:930.

Applies when: For Louisiana Nurse Practitioners/APRNs acting within their medical diagnosis/prescription authority.
Source evidence
1. 1. legis.la.gov ↗
  Except as otherwise provided in R.S. 37:930, acts of medical diagnosis and prescription by an advanced practice registered nurse shall be in accordance with a collaborative practice agreement
Collaborative practice definition (APRN + consulting physician(s) or dentist(s))

“Collaborative practice” is the joint management of a patient’s health care by an APRN performing advanced practice registered nursing and one or more consulting physicians or dentists.

Applies when: For determining what “collaborative practice” requires for Louisiana APRN/NP prescriptive scope.
Source evidence
1. 1. legis.la.gov ↗
  (8) "Collaborative practice" means the joint management of the health care of a patient by an advanced practice registered nurse performing advanced practice registered nursing and one or more consulting physicians or dentists.
Prescriptive authority may be designated inactive if no current collaborative practice agreement

Prescriptive authority is designated “inactive” when a nurse practitioner has no current collaborative practice agreement with a collaborating physician.

Applies when: When the nurse practitioner lacks a current collaborative practice agreement with a collaborating physician.
Source evidence
1. 1. legis.la.gov ↗
  1 · (2) Prescriptive authority shall be designated as "inactive" when a nurse 2 · practitioner has no current collaborative practice agreement with a 3 · collaborating physician.

License and education prerequisites

APRN licensure prerequisites (RN license, education, certification or commensurate requirements)

An individual applying for APRN licensure must hold a current, unencumbered, unrestricted registered nurse license; complete a formal education program preparing graduates for specialized and advanced nursing practice; and hold current certification for advanced practice from a nationally recognized certifying agency approved by the board, or meet commensurate requirements if such certification is unavailable.

Applies when: For Louisiana APRN licensure.
Source evidence
1. 1. legis.la.gov ↗
  (2) Any individual applying for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse shall submit proof that he holds a current, unencumbered, unrestricted registered nurse license, has satisfactorily completed a formal education program preparing graduates to practice specialized and advanced nursing practice, and holds a current certification for advanced practice granted by a nationally recognized certifying agency whose certification program is approved by the board, or in
2. 2. legis.la.gov ↗
  granted by a nationally recognized certifying agency whose certification program is approved by the board, or in the absence of the availability of such certification, has met commensurate requirements as may be established by the board.
Board approval letter needed before engaging in diagnosis/management including writing orders/prescriptions

Prior to engaging in medical diagnosis and management as an APRN, including writing orders and/or prescriptions, the APRN must obtain a letter of approval issued by LSBN indicating approval for Prescriptive Authority (PA) privileges in Louisiana in collaboration with the licensed physician(s).

Applies when: Before an Louisiana APRN performs medical diagnosis/management that includes writing orders or prescriptions.
Source evidence
1. 1. lsbn.state.la.us ↗
  ***Prior*** to engaging in medical diagnosis and management as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), including writing orders and/or prescriptions, the APRN must obtain a letter of approval issued to the APRN from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) indicating approval for Prescriptive Authority (PA) privileges in the State of Louisiana in collaboration with
2. 2. lsbn.state.la.us ↗
  the licensed physician(s).

Collaboration and supervision

Collaborating physicians must be actively engaged in clinical practice in Louisiana (and non-eligible if encumbered/retired)

Collaborating physicians must be engaged in clinical practice within Louisiana in the same or a practice comparable in scope, specialty or expertise to that of the APRN; encumbered or retired physicians are not eligible to serve as collaborating physicians.

Applies when: For APRNs obtaining/preserving collaborative practice arrangements for prescriptive authority in Louisiana.
Source evidence
1. 1. lsbn.state.la.us ↗
  Collaborating physicians must be engaged in clinical practice within the state of Louisiana in the same or a practice comparable in scope, specialty or expertise to that of the APRN.
2. 2. lsbn.state.la.us ↗
  Encumbered or retired physicians are not eligible to serve as collaborating physicians.
Limitation: no more than 2 collaborating physicians per practice site

No more than 2 collaborating physicians will be approved by the board per practice site.

Applies when: When seeking board approval of collaborating physicians for an APRN practice site.
Source evidence
1. 1. lsbn.state.la.us ↗
  No more than 2 collaborating physicians will be approved by the board per practice site.

State controlled-substance authority

Louisiana controlled substance authority for APRNs is reflected in CDS license and DEA registration (legislative authorization)

APRNs/nurse practitioners have been authorized by the legislature to prescribe controlled substances; that authorization is evident in their CDS license and DEA registration.

Applies when: For Louisiana APRNs/NPs whose controlled-substance prescribing authority is being implemented.
Source evidence
1. 1. pharmacy.la.gov ↗
  They have been authorized by the legislature to prescribe controlled substances; that authorization is evident in their CDS license and DEA registration.
2. 2. pharmacy.la.gov ↗
  ## Louisiana State Board of Nursing **Advanced practice registered nurses** [APRN], also known as **nurse practitioners**, are licensed and regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
New Louisiana CDS practitioner application portal and fee for APRN

The new Louisiana CDS license practitioner application is available online through the Online Services Portal; the listed fee for APRN is $45.00.

Applies when: When applying for a new Louisiana CDS license (practitioner application) as an APRN.
Source evidence
1. 1. pharmacy.la.gov ↗
  This application is available online through the Online Services Portal.
2. 2. pharmacy.la.gov ↗
  # Application Process Transparency - CDS License - Practitioners **Fee:** To be paid with the submission of the online application. - APRN, DDS, DPM, INT, MD, MDT, MP, OD, PA, RNT - $45.00 - DVM - $20.00 **Application:** Application for New Louisiana Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) License for Practitioners.

Federal DEA requirements

State authority prerequisite for DEA registration

As a condition of DEA registration, a practitioner must possess “authority to dispense controlled substances under the laws of the state” where they engage in professional practice.

Applies when: When applying for or maintaining DEA registration to dispense/prescribe controlled substances in the relevant state of practice.
Source evidence
1. 1. deadiversion.usdoj.gov ↗
  # Registration Q&A ### Registration In general, as a condition of registration with DEA, a practitioner or mid-level practitioner must possess “authority to dispense controlled substances under the laws of the state in which [the] practitioner engages in professional practice.”
DEA separate registration required per principal place of business/practice

A separate DEA registration is required at each principal place of business or professional practice where the practitioner dispenses controlled substances.

Applies when: For DEA registration tied to multiple practice locations.
Source evidence
1. 1. deadiversion.usdoj.gov ↗
  Moreover, a separate DEA registration is “required at each principal place of business or professional practice” where the practitioner dispenses controlled substances.
Nurse practitioners are mid-level practitioners for DEA registration purposes

DEA identifies nurse practitioners as examples of mid-level practitioners that may be authorized to dispense controlled substances by the State where they practice.

Applies when: For confirming that DEA registration requirements discussed apply to nurse practitioner cohorts that are state-authorized.
Source evidence
1. 1. deadiversion.usdoj.gov ↗
  Examples of mid-level practitioners include, but are not limited to, health care providers such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists and physician assistants who are authorized to dispense controlled substances by the State in which they practice.

Fees and renewals

LSBN initial prescriptive authority application fee and non-refundable fees

The LSBN initial prescriptive authority application fee is $100, and all fees are non-refundable.

Applies when: When submitting an initial prescriptive authority application to LSBN.
Source evidence
1. 1. lsbn.state.la.us ↗
  The application fee is $100.
2. 2. lsbn.state.la.us ↗
  All fees are non-refundable.
Louisiana CDS practitioner application fee for APRN

The listed fee for APRN on the new Louisiana CDS license (practitioners) application is $45.00.

Applies when: When applying for a new Louisiana CDS practitioner license as an APRN.
Source evidence
1. 1. pharmacy.la.gov ↗
  # Application Process Transparency - CDS License - Practitioners **Fee:** To be paid with the submission of the online application. - APRN, DDS, DPM, INT, MD, MDT, MP, OD, PA, RNT - $45.00 - DVM - $20.00 **Application:** Application for New Louisiana Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) License for Practitioners.

Applications and documents

LSBN prescriptive authority application is submitted via the Nurse Portal (APRN initial PA instructions)

After logging into your Nurse Portal account, access the application by following the steps below.

Applies when: For an APRN applying for initial prescriptive authority privileges.
Source evidence
1. 1. lsbn.state.la.us ↗
  After logging into your Nurse Portal account, access the application by following the steps below: the license population box.
Controlled-substance request: additional documentation required

Additional documentation is required to request approval to prescribe controlled substances.

Applies when: When requesting approval to prescribe controlled substances as an APRN.
Source evidence
1. 1. lsbn.state.la.us ↗
  Additional documentation is required to request approval to prescribe CS.

Authorities and sources

Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) controls APRN licensure approval and PA privileges

LSBN approval is required to use the title and practice as an APRN in Louisiana.

Applies when: For APRN status and related PA privileges in Louisiana.
Source evidence
1. 1. lsbn.state.la.us ↗
  APRN Licensure – Approval by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) is required to use the title and practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Louisiana.
Louisiana Board of Pharmacy page identifies APRNs and controlled-substance prescribing authority

Louisiana pharmacy guidance describes that APRNs/nurse practitioners are regulated by LSBN and that their controlled-substance prescribing authorization is evident in their CDS license and DEA registration.

Applies when: For Louisiana-controlled substance credentialing information tied to APRNs.
Source evidence
1. 1. pharmacy.la.gov ↗
  ## Louisiana State Board of Nursing **Advanced practice registered nurses** [APRN], also known as **nurse practitioners**, are licensed and regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
2. 2. pharmacy.la.gov ↗
  They have been authorized by the legislature to prescribe controlled substances; that authorization is evident in their CDS license and DEA registration.
DEA is the federal agency administering DEA registration obligations

DEA registration is conditioned on having state authority to dispense controlled substances and includes requirements for separate registration by principal place of business or professional practice.

Applies when: For federal DEA registration requirements for nurse practitioners authorized by Louisiana.
Source evidence
1. 1. deadiversion.usdoj.gov ↗
  # Registration Q&A ### Registration In general, as a condition of registration with DEA, a practitioner or mid-level practitioner must possess “authority to dispense controlled substances under the laws of the state in which [the] practitioner engages in professional practice.”
2. 2. deadiversion.usdoj.gov ↗
  Moreover, a separate DEA registration is “required at each principal place of business or professional practice” where the practitioner dispenses controlled substances.