Notice of Rulemaking Activity

At its meeting on December 12, 2022, the Louisiana State Board of Nursing approved an amendment of Chapter 45, Title 46, Professional and Occupational Standards, Part XLVII. Nurses: Registered Nurses. Subpart 2. Registered Nurses. Chapter 45. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. The proposed revision removes barriers preventing all Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) from prescribing controlled substances in connection with the treatment of chronic or intractable pain and obesity. The rule change allows all categories of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses with prescriptive authority and controlled, dangerous substance authority to administer Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) approved controlled substances for chronic pain or intractable pain and obesity. The rule change does not expand prescriptive authority for APRNs; however, it does permit them to treat obesity and chronic pain with controlled substances.

The first step in the rulemaking process is the publication of the Board's Notice of Intent in the February 20,2023 edition of the Louisiana Register. As of February 20, 2023, you will be able to access the publication free of charge at the state register's website at http://www.doa.la.gov/osr. The Notice of Intent can be found here.

The Board requests comments on the proposed revisions to be submitted by March 10, 2023. Please direct all written communication regarding this proposal to my attention at the Board office.

For the Board
Karen C. Lyon, PhD, MBA, APRN-CNS, NEA
Executive Director/CEO