OK SB720

Amends 59 O.S. 2011, Section 567.3a to modify definitions in the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act relating to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and prescriptive authority.

Removes requirement that Certified Nurse Practitioners obtain prescriptive authority subject to medical direction of a supervising physician, allowing them to prescribe independently within their scope of practice.

Permits Clinical Nurse Specialists and Certified Nurse-Midwives to obtain board recognition for prescriptive authority without mandatory supervision by a physician.

Clarifies that prescriptive authority for these advanced practice nurses does not include dispensing drugs but allows receipt and distribution of professional samples to patients.

Becomes effective November 1, 2017.