OH HB206

Expands prescribing authority for clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, and certified nurse practitioners to prescribe schedule II controlled substances without the previous restrictions limiting them to terminal patients only.

Eliminates the prohibition on personally furnishing schedule II controlled substances to patients; advanced practice nurses may now prescribe these substances subject to formulary and collaborating physician authority limits.

Requires advanced practice nurses to complete at least 36 contact hours of instruction in advanced pharmacology plus 9 additional contact hours specifically on schedule II controlled substances, including pain management, abuse prevention, and applicable laws.

Prohibits advanced practice nurses from prescribing schedule II controlled substances in convenience care clinics and establishes that the Committee on Prescriptive Governance must develop specific recommendations regarding schedule II prescribing authority within 90 days.

Provides a transition period for existing certificate holders, requiring them to complete 6 contact hours of instruction on schedule II controlled substances by August 31, 2011, with temporary restrictions maintained until compliance is achieved.