AZ HB2068

Grants clinical nurse specialists the authority to prescribe and dispense pharmacological agents if they meet education requirements equivalent to registered nurse practitioners and hold national certification.

Limits clinical nurse specialist prescribing to patients of licensed health care institutions where they are employed, with restrictions on opioid prescribing except for medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders.

Prohibits clinical nurse specialists from prescribing schedule II opioid controlled substances except in hospital settings pursuant to institutional protocols or for opioid medication-assisted treatment.

Requires the Arizona State Board of Nursing to immediately notify the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy when modifying any nurse practitioner's or clinical nurse specialist's prescription writing privileges.

Amends nursing practice definitions and board duties to recognize certified nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists in relevant statutes governing nursing licensure and discipline.