The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Approved program" means a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse education program that is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs/Schools, American College of Nurse Midwives, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or is offered by a school of nursing or jointly offered by a school of medicine and a school of nursing that grant a graduate degree in nursing and that hold a national accreditation acceptable to the boards.

"Autonomous practice" means practice in a category in which a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse is certified and licensed without a written or electronic practice agreement with a patient care team physician in accordance with 18VAC90-30-86.

"Boards" means the Virginia Board of Nursing and the Virginia Board of Medicine.

"Certified nurse midwife" means an advanced practice registered nurse who is certified in the specialty of nurse midwifery and who is jointly licensed by the Boards of Medicine and Nursing as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse pursuant to § 54.1-2957 of the Code of Virginia.

"Certified registered nurse anesthetist" means an advanced practice registered nurse who is certified in the specialty of nurse anesthesia, who is jointly licensed by the Boards of Medicine and Nursing as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse pursuant to § 54.1-2957 of the Code of Virginia, and who practices under the supervision of a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, or dentistry but is not subject to the practice agreement requirement described in § 54.1-2957 of the Code of Virginia.

"Clinical nurse specialist" means an advanced practice registered nurse who is certified in the specialty of clinical nurse specialist and who is jointly licensed by the Boards of Medicine and Nursing as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse pursuant to § 54.1-2957 of the Code of Virginia.

"Collaboration" means the communication and decision-making process among members of a patient care team related to the treatment and care of a patient and includes (i) communication of data and information about the treatment and care of a patient, including exchange of clinical observations and assessments, and (ii) development of an appropriate plan of care, including decisions regarding the health care provided, accessing and assessment of appropriate additional resources or expertise, and arrangement of appropriate referrals, testing, or studies.

"Committee" means the Committee of the Joint Boards of Nursing and Medicine.

"Consultation" means the communicating of data and information, exchanging of clinical observations and assessments, accessing and assessing of additional resources and expertise, problem solving, and arranging for referrals, testing, or studies.

"Conversion therapy" means any practice or treatment as defined in § 54.1-2409.5 A of the Code of Virginia.

"Licensed nurse practitioner" means an advanced practice registered nurse who has met the requirements for licensure as stated in Part II (18VAC90-30-60 et seq.) of this chapter.

"National certifying body" means a national organization that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or deemed acceptable by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and has as one of its purposes the certification of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses, referred to in this chapter as professional certification, and whose certification of such persons by examination is accepted by the committee.

"Patient care team physician" means a person who holds an active, unrestricted license issued by the Virginia Board of Medicine to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine.

"Practice agreement" means a written or electronic statement, jointly developed by the collaborating patient care team physician and the licensed nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse that describes the procedures to be followed and the acts appropriate to the specialty practice area to be performed by the licensed nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse in the care and management of patients. The practice agreement also describes the prescriptive authority of the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse, if applicable. For a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse licensed in the category of certified nurse midwife, the practice agreement is a statement jointly developed with the consulting physician or a certified nurse midwife with at least two years of clinical experience. For a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse licensed in the category of clinical nurse specialist, the practice agreement shall be between the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse and a consulting physician.

A. The presidents of the Boards of Nursing and Medicine respectively shall each appoint three members from their boards to the Committee of the Joint Boards of Nursing and Medicine; at least one of the appointees from the Board of Nursing shall be a licensed nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse. The purpose of this committee shall be to administer the Regulations Governing the Licensure of Nurse Practitioners, 18VAC90-30-10 et seq this chapter.

B. The committee, in its discretion, may appoint an advisory committee. Such an advisory committee shall be comprised of four licensed physicians and four licensed nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses, of whom one shall be a certified nurse midwife, one shall be a certified registered nurse anesthetist and two shall be nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses from other categories. Appointment to the advisory committee shall be for four years; members may be appointed for one additional four-year period.

A. Fees required in connection with the licensure of nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses are:

B. For renewal of licensure from July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2019, the following fee shall be in effect:

A. The boards shall license nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses consistent with their specialty education and certification in the following categories (a two-digit suffix appears on licenses to designate category):

1. Adult/geriatric acute care nurse practitioner (01);

2. Family nurse practitioner (02);

3. Pediatric/primary care nurse practitioner (03);

4. Adult/geriatric primary care nurse practitioner (07);

5. Certified registered nurse anesthetist (08);

6. Certified nurse midwife (09);

7. Neonatal nurse practitioner (13);

8. Women's health nurse practitioner (14);

9. Psychiatric nurse/mental health practitioner (17);

10. Pediatric/acute care nurse practitioner (18); and

11. Clinical nurse specialist (19).

B. Other categories of licensed nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses shall be licensed if the Committee of the Joint Boards of Nursing and Medicine determines that the category meets the requirements of this chapter.

C. Nurse practitioners Advanced practice registered nurses licensed prior to January 15, 2016, may:

1. Retain the specialty category in which they were initially licensed; or

2. If the specialty category has been subsequently deleted and if qualified by certification, be issued a license in a specialty category listed in subsection A of this section that is consistent with such certification.

A. An applicant for initial licensure as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse shall:

1. Hold a current, active license as a registered nurse in Virginia or hold a current multistate licensure privilege as a registered nurse;

2. Submit evidence of a graduate degree in nursing or in the appropriate nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse specialty from an educational program designed to prepare advanced practice registered nurses that is an approved program as defined in 18VAC90-30-10. Evidence shall include a transcript that shows that the applicant has successfully completed core coursework that prepares the applicant for licensure in the appropriate specialty;

3. Submit evidence of professional certification that is consistent with the specialty area of the applicant's educational preparation issued by an agency accepted by the boards as identified in 18VAC90-30-90;

4. File the required application; and

5. Pay the application fee prescribed in 18VAC90-30-50.

B. Provisional licensure may be granted to an applicant who satisfies all requirements of this section with the exception of subdivision A 3 of this section, provided the board has received evidence of the applicant's eligibility to sit for the certifying examination directly from the national certifying body. An applicant may practice with a provisional license for either six months from the date of issuance or until issuance of a permanent license or until he the applicant receives notice that he the applicant has failed the certifying examination, whichever occurs first.

A. An applicant for licensure by endorsement as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse shall:

1. Provide verification of licensure as a nurse practitioner or advanced practice registered nurse in another United States jurisdiction with a license in good standing, or, if lapsed, eligible for reinstatement;

2. Submit evidence of professional certification that is consistent with the specialty area of the applicant's educational preparation issued by an agency accepted by the boards as identified in 18VAC90-30-90; and

3. Submit the required application and fee as prescribed in 18VAC90-30-50.

B. An applicant shall provide evidence that includes a transcript that shows successful completion of core coursework that prepares the applicant for licensure in the appropriate specialty.

C. An applicant for licensure by endorsement who is also seeking authorization for autonomous practice shall comply with subsection F of 18VAC90-30-86.

A. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse with a current, unrestricted license, other than someone licensed in the category of certified nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or clinical nurse specialist, may qualify for autonomous practice by completion of the equivalent of two years of full-time clinical experience as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse until July 1, 2022. Thereafter, the requirement shall be the equivalent of five years of full-time clinical experience to qualify for autonomous practice.

1. Full-time clinical experience shall be defined as 1,800 hours per year.

2. Clinical experience shall be defined as the postgraduate delivery of health care directly to patients pursuant to a practice agreement with a patient care team physician.

B. Qualification for authorization for autonomous practice shall be determined upon submission of a fee as specified in 18VAC90-30-50 and an attestation acceptable to the boards. The attestation shall be signed by the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse and the nurse practitioner's advanced practice registered nurse's patient care team physician stating that:

1. The patient care team physician served as a patient care team physician on a patient care team with the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse pursuant to a practice agreement meeting the requirements of this chapter and §§ 54.1-2957 and 54.1-2957.01 of the Code of Virginia;

2. While a party to such practice agreement, the patient care team physician routinely practiced with a patient population and in a practice area included within the category, as specified in 18VAC90-30-70, for which the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse was certified and licensed; and

3. The period of time and hours of practice during which the patient care team physician practiced with the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse under such a practice agreement.

C. The nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse may submit attestations from more than one patient care team physician with whom the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse practiced during the equivalent of five years of practice, but all attestations shall be submitted to the boards at the same time.

D. If a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse is licensed and certified in more than one category as specified in 18VAC90-30-70, a separate fee and attestation that meets the requirements of subsection B of this section shall be submitted for each category. If the hours of practice are applicable to the patient population and in practice areas included within each of the categories of licensure and certification, those hours may be counted toward a second attestation.

E. In the event a patient care team physician has died, become disabled, retired, or relocated to another state, or in the event of any other circumstance that inhibits the ability of the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse from obtaining an attestation as specified in subsection B of this section, the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse may submit other evidence of meeting the qualifications for autonomous practice along with an attestation signed by the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse. Other evidence may include employment records, military service, Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement records, or other similar records that verify full-time clinical practice in the role of a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse in the category for which the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse is licensed and certified. The burden shall be on the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse to provide sufficient evidence to support the nurse practitioner's advanced practice registered nurse's inability to obtain an attestation from a patient care team physician.

F. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse to whom a license is issued by endorsement may engage in autonomous practice if such application includes an attestation acceptable to the boards that the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse has completed the equivalent of five years of full-time clinical experience as specified in subsection A of this section and in accordance with the laws of the state in which the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse was previously licensed.

G. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse authorized to practice autonomously shall:

1. Only practice within the scope of the nurse practitioner's advanced practice registered nurse's clinical and professional training and limits of the nurse practitioner's advanced practice registered nurse's knowledge and experience and consistent with the applicable standards of care;

2. Consult and collaborate with other health care providers based on the clinical conditions of the patient to whom health care is provided; and

3. Establish a plan for referral of complex medical cases and emergencies to physicians or other appropriate health care providers.

A. A certified nurse midwife who has completed 1,000 hours of practice as a certified nurse midwife may practice without a practice agreement upon receipt by the certified nurse midwife of an attestation from a certified nurse midwife who has practiced for at least two years prior to entering into the practice agreement or the licensed physician with whom the certified nurse midwife has entered into a practice agreement stating (i) that such certified nurse midwife or licensed physician has provided consultation to the certified nurse midwife pursuant to a practice agreement meeting the requirements of § 54.1-2957 H of the Code of Virginia, and (ii) the period of time for which such certified nurse midwife or licensed physician practiced in collaboration and consultation with the certified nurse midwife pursuant to the practice agreement.

B. A certified nurse midwife authorized to practice without a practice agreement shall consult and collaborate with and refer patients to such other health care providers as may be appropriate for the care of the patient.

A. Licensure of a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse shall be renewed:

1. Biennially at the same time the license to practice as a registered nurse in Virginia is renewed; or

2. If licensed as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse with a multistate licensure privilege to practice in Virginia as a registered nurse, a licensee born in even-numbered years shall renew his license by the last day of the birth month in even-numbered years and a licensee born in odd-numbered years shall renew his license by the last day of the birth month in odd-numbered years.

B. The renewal notice of the license shall be sent to the last known address of record of each nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse. Failure to receive the renewal notice shall not relieve the licensee of the responsibility for renewing the license by the expiration date.

C. The licensed nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse shall attest to compliance with continuing competency requirements of current professional certification or continuing education as prescribed in 18VAC90-30-105 and the license renewal fee prescribed in 18VAC90-30-50.

D. The license shall automatically lapse if the licensee fails to renew by the expiration date. Any person practicing as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse during the time a license has lapsed shall be subject to disciplinary actions by the boards.

A. In order to renew a license biennially, a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse initially licensed on or after May 8, 2002, shall hold current professional certification in the area of specialty practice from one of the certifying agencies designated in 18VAC90-30-90, except for those renewing their licenses in accordance with subsection B of this section.

B. In order to renew a license biennially, nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses licensed prior to May 8, 2002, or clinical nurse specialists who were registered by the Board of Nursing with a retired certification, shall meet one of the following requirements:

1. Hold current professional certification in the area of specialty practice from one of the certifying agencies designated in 18VAC90-30-90; or

2. Complete at least 40 hours of continuing education in the area of specialty practice approved by one of the certifying agencies designated in 18VAC90-30-90 or approved by Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) of the American Medical Association as a Category I Continuing Medical Education (CME) course.

C. The nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse shall retain evidence of compliance and all supporting documentation for a period of four years following the renewal period for which the records apply.

D. The boards shall periodically conduct a random audit of their licensees to determine compliance. The nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses selected for the audit shall provide the evidence of compliance and supporting documentation within 30 days of receiving notification of the audit.

E. The boards may delegate the authority to grant an extension or exemption for all or part of the requirements for circumstances beyond the control of the licensee, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.

A. A licensed nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse whose license has lapsed may be reinstated within one renewal period by payment of the current renewal fee and the late renewal fee.

B. An applicant for reinstatement of license lapsed for more than one renewal period shall:

1. File the required application and reinstatement fee;

2. Be currently licensed as a registered nurse in Virginia or hold a current multistate licensure privilege as a registered nurse; and

3. Provide evidence of current professional competency consisting of:

a. Current professional certification by the appropriate certifying agency identified in 18VAC90-30-90;

b. Continuing education hours taken during the period in which the license was lapsed, equal to the number required for licensure renewal during that period, not to exceed 120 hours; or

c. If applicable, current, unrestricted licensure or certification in another jurisdiction.

4. If qualified for autonomous practice, provide the required fee and attestation in accordance with 18VAC90-30-86.

C. An applicant for reinstatement of license following suspension or revocation shall:

1. Petition for reinstatement and pay the reinstatement fee;

2. Present evidence that he is currently licensed as a registered nurse in Virginia or hold a current multistate licensure privilege as a registered nurse; and

3. Present evidence that he is competent to resume practice as a licensed nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse in Virginia to include:

a. Current professional certification by the appropriate certifying agency identified in 18VAC90-30-90; or

b. Continuing education hours taken during the period in which the license was suspended or revoked, equal to the number required for licensure renewal during that period, not to exceed 120 hours.

The committee shall act on the petition pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

A. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse licensed in a category other than certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist shall be authorized to render care in collaboration and consultation with a licensed patient care team physician as part of a patient care team or if determined by the boards to qualify in accordance with 18VAC90-30-86, authorized to practice autonomously without a practice agreement with a patient care team physician.

B. The practice shall be based on specialty education preparation as an advanced practice registered nurse in accordance with standards of the applicable certifying organization, as identified in 18VAC90-30-90.

C. All nurse practitioners advance practice registered nurses licensed in any category other than certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist shall practice in accordance with a written or electronic practice agreement as defined in 18VAC90-30-10 or in accordance with 18VAC90-30-86.

D. The written or electronic practice agreement shall include provisions for:

1. The periodic review of patient charts or electronic patient records by a patient care team physician and may include provisions for visits to the site where health care is delivered in the manner and at the frequency determined by the patient care team;

2. Appropriate physician input in complex clinical cases and patient emergencies and for referrals; and

3. The nurse practitioner's advanced practice registered nurse's authority for signatures, certifications, stamps, verifications, affidavits, and endorsements provided it is:

a. In accordance with the specialty license of the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse and within the scope of practice of the patient care team physician;

b. Permitted by § 54.1-2957.02 or applicable sections of the Code of Virginia; and

c. Not in conflict with federal law or regulation.

E. The practice agreement shall be maintained by the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse and provided to the boards upon request. For nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses providing care to patients within a hospital or health care system, the practice agreement may be included as part of documents delineating the nurse practitioner's clinical privileges or the electronic or written delineation of duties and responsibilities; however, the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse shall be responsible for providing a copy to the boards upon request.

A. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse licensed in a category of certified registered nurse anesthetist shall be authorized to render care under the supervision of a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, or dentistry.

B. The practice of a certified registered nurse anesthetist shall be based on specialty education preparation as an advanced practice registered nurse in accordance with standards of the applicable certifying organization and with the functions and standards defined by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (Standards for Nurse Anesthesia Practice, Revised 2013).

A. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse licensed in the category of certified nurse midwife who has practiced fewer than 1,000 hours shall practice in consultation with a licensed physician in accordance with a practice agreement between the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse and the physician or with a certified nurse midwife who has practiced for at least two years prior to entering into the practice agreement. Such practice agreement shall address the availability of the physician or the certified nurse midwife for routine and urgent consultation on patient care.

B. The practice agreement shall be maintained by the nurse midwife and provided to the boards upon request. For nurse midwives providing care to patients within a hospital or health care system, the practice agreement may be included as part of documents delineating the nurse midwife's clinical privileges or the electronic or written delineation of duties and responsibilities; however, the nurse midwife shall be responsible for providing a copy to the boards upon request.

C. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse licensed in the category of a certified nurse midwife shall practice in accordance with the Standards for the Practice of Midwifery (Revised 2011) defined by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

A. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse, as authorized pursuant to § 54.1-2957 of the Code of Virginia, may perform or supervise the performance of laser hair removal upon completion of training in the following:

1. Skin physiology and histology;

2. Skin type and appropriate patient selection;

3. Laser safety;

4. Operation of laser device to be used;

5. Recognition of potential complications and response to any actual complication resulting from a laser hair removal treatment; and

6. A minimum number of 10 proctored patient cases with demonstrated competency in treating various skin types.

B. Nurse practitioners Advanced practice registered nurses who have been performing laser hair removal prior to August 7, 2019, are not required to complete the training specified in subsection A of this section.

C. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse who delegates the practice of laser hair removal and provides supervision for such practice shall ensure the supervised person has completed the training required in subsection A of this section.

D. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse who performs laser hair removal or who supervises others in the practice shall receive ongoing training as necessary to maintain competency in new techniques and laser devices. The nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse shall ensure that persons the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse supervises also receive ongoing training to maintain competency.

E. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse may delegate laser hair removal to a properly trained person under the nurse practitioner's advanced practice registered nurse's direction and supervision. Direction and supervision shall mean that the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse is readily available at the time laser hair removal is being performed. The supervising nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse is not required to be physically present but is required to see and evaluate a patient for whom the treatment has resulted in complications prior to the continuance of laser hair removal treatment.

F. Prescribing of medication shall be in accordance with § 54.1-3303 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Nurse practitioners Advanced practice registered nurses licensed in the category of clinical nurse specialist shall practice in consultation with a licensed physician in accordance with a practice agreement between the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse and the licensed physician.

B. Such practice agreement shall address the availability of the physician for routine and urgent consultation on patient care. Evidence of a practice agreement shall be maintained by a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse and provided to the boards upon request.

C. The practice of clinical nurse specialists shall be consistent with the standards of care for the profession and with applicable laws and regulations.

Practice as a licensed nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse shall be prohibited if the license as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse or a registered nurse is lapsed, inactive, revoked, or suspended.

The boards may deny licensure or relicensure, revoke or suspend the license, or take other disciplinary action upon proof that the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse:

1. Has had a license or multistate privilege to practice nursing in this Commonwealth or in another jurisdiction revoked or suspended or otherwise disciplined;

2. Has directly or indirectly represented to the public that the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse is a physician, or is able to, or will practice independently of a physician;

3. Has exceeded the authority as a licensed nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse;

4. Has violated or cooperated in the violation of the laws or regulations governing the practice of medicine, nursing or nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses;

5. Has become unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients as the result of a physical or mental illness or the excessive use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other type of material;

6. Has violated or cooperated with others in violating or attempting to violate any law or regulation, state or federal, relating to the possession, use, dispensing, administration, or distribution of drugs;

7. Has failed to comply with continuing competency requirements as set forth in 18VAC90-30-105;

8. Has willfully or negligently breached the confidentiality between a practitioner and a patient. A breach of confidentiality that is required or permitted by applicable law or beyond the control of the practitioner shall not be considered negligent or willful;

9. Has engaged in unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information received from the Prescription Monitoring Program, the electronic system within the Department of Health Professions that monitors the dispensing of certain controlled substances; or

10. Has engaged in conversion therapy with a person younger than 18 years of age.

A. The provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) shall govern proceedings on questions of violation of 18VAC90-30-220.

B. Except as provided in 18VAC90-30-240, the Committee of the Joint Boards of Nursing and Medicine shall conduct all proceedings prescribed herein and shall take action on behalf of the boards.

C. When a person's license to practice nursing has been suspended or revoked by the Board of Nursing, the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse license shall be suspended pending a hearing simultaneously with the institution of proceedings for a hearing.

D. Sanctions or other terms and conditions imposed by consent orders entered by the Board of Nursing on the license to practice nursing may apply to the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse license, provided the consent order has been accepted by the Committee of the Joint Boards of Nursing and Medicine.

A. Decision to delegate. In accordance with subdivision 10 of § 54.1-2400 (10) of the Code of Virginia, the Committee of the Joint Boards of Nursing and Medicine (committee) may delegate an informal fact-finding proceeding to an agency subordinate upon determination that probable cause exists that a nurse practitioner may be subject to a disciplinary action.

B. Criteria for delegation. Cases that involve intentional or negligent conduct that caused serious injury or harm to a patient may not be delegated to an agency subordinate, except as may be approved by the chair of the committee.

C. Criteria for an agency subordinate.

1. An agency subordinate authorized by the committee to conduct an informal fact-finding proceeding may include current or past board members and professional staff or other persons deemed knowledgeable by virtue of their training and experience in administrative proceedings involving the regulation and discipline of health professionals.

2. The Executive Director of the Board of Nursing shall maintain a list of appropriately qualified persons to whom an informal fact-finding proceeding may be delegated.

3. The committee may delegate to the executive director the selection of the agency subordinate who is deemed appropriately qualified to conduct a proceeding based on the qualifications of the subordinate and the type of case being heard.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Acute pain" means pain that occurs within the normal course of a disease or condition or as the result of surgery for which controlled substances containing an opioid may be prescribed for no more than three months.

"Advanced practice registered nurse" means an advanced practice registered nurse who has met the requirements for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse as stated in 18VAC90-30.

"Boards" means the Virginia Board of Medicine and the Virginia Board of Nursing.

"Certified nurse midwife" means an advanced practice registered nurse who is certified in the specialty of nurse midwifery and who is jointly licensed by the Boards of Medicine and Nursing as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse pursuant to § 54.1-2957 of the Code of Virginia.

"Chronic pain" means nonmalignant pain that goes beyond the normal course of a disease or condition for which controlled substances containing an opioid may be prescribed for a period greater than three months.

"Clinical nurse specialist" means an advanced practice registered nurse who is certified in the specialty of clinical nurse specialist and who is jointly licensed by the Boards of Medicine and Nursing as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse pursuant to § 54.1-2957 of the Code of Virginia.

"Committee" means the Committee of the Joint Boards of Nursing and Medicine.

"FDA" means the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

"MME" means morphine milligram equivalent.

"Nonprofit health care clinics or programs" means a clinic organized in whole or in part for the delivery of health care services without charge or when a reasonable minimum fee is charged only to cover administrative costs.

"Nurse practitioner" means an advanced practice registered nurse who has met the requirements for licensure as a nurse practitioner as stated in 18VAC90-30.

"Practice agreement" means a written or electronic agreement jointly developed by the patient care team physician and the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse for the practice of the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse that also describes the prescriptive authority of the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse, if applicable. For a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse licensed in the category of certified nurse midwife, the practice agreement is a statement jointly developed with the consulting physician or a certified nurse midwife with at least two years of clinical experience. For a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse licensed in the category of clinical nurse specialist, the practice agreement shall be between the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse and a consulting physician.

"Prescription Monitoring Program" means the electronic system within the Department of Health Professions that monitors the dispensing of certain controlled substances.

"SAMHSA" means the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

A. The statutory authority for this chapter is found in §§ 54.1-2957.01, 54.1-3303, 54.1-3401, and 54.1-3408 of the Code of Virginia.

B. Joint boards of nursing and medicine.

1. The Committee of the Joint Boards of Nursing and Medicine shall be appointed to administer this chapter governing prescriptive authority.

2. The boards hereby delegate to the Executive Director of the Virginia Board of Nursing the authority to issue the initial authorization to those persons who meet the requirements set forth in this chapter and to grant extensions or exemptions for compliance with continuing competency requirements as set forth in subsection E of 18VAC90-40-55. Questions of eligibility shall be referred to the committee.

3. All records and files related to prescriptive authority for nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses shall be maintained in the office of the Board of Nursing.

A. No licensed nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse shall have authority to prescribe certain controlled substances and devices in the Commonwealth of Virginia except in accordance with this chapter and as authorized by the boards.

B. The boards shall approve prescriptive authority for applicants who meet the qualifications set forth in 18VAC90-40-40 of this chapter.

An applicant for prescriptive authority shall meet the following requirements:

1. Hold a current, unrestricted license as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia;

2. Provide evidence of one of the following:

a. Continued professional certification as required for initial licensure as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse;

b. Satisfactory completion of a graduate level course in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics obtained as part of the nurse practitioner or advanced practice registered nurse education program within the five years prior to submission of the application;

c. Practice as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse for no less than 1,000 hours and 15 continuing education units related to the area of practice for each of the two years immediately prior to submission of the application; or

d. Thirty contact hours of education in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics acceptable to the boards taken within five years prior to submission of the application. The 30 contact hours may be obtained in a formal academic setting as a discrete offering or as noncredit continuing education offerings and shall include the following course content:

(1) Applicable federal and state laws;

(2) Prescription writing;

(3) Drug selection, dosage, and route;

(4) Drug interactions;

(5) Information resources; and

(6) Clinical application of pharmacology related to specific scope of practice;

3. Develop a practice agreement between the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse and the patient care team physician as required in 18VAC90-40-90; and

4. File a completed application and pay the fees as required in 18VAC90-40-70.

A. A licensee with prescriptive authority shall meet continuing competency requirements for biennial renewal as a licensed nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse. Such requirements shall address issues such as ethical practice, an appropriate standard of care, patient safety, and appropriate communication with patients.

B. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority shall obtain a total of eight hours of continuing education in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics for each biennium in addition to the minimal requirements for compliance with subsection B of 18VAC90-30-105.

C. The nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority shall retain evidence of compliance and all supporting documentation for a period of four years following the renewal period for which the records apply.

D. The boards shall periodically conduct a random audit of their licensees to determine compliance. The nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses selected for the audit shall provide the evidence of compliance and supporting documentation within 30 days of receiving notification of the audit.

E. The boards may delegate to the committee the authority to grant an extension or an exemption for all or part of the requirements for circumstances beyond the control of the licensee, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.

A. With the exceptions listed in subsection E of this section, a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority may prescribe only within the scope of the written or electronic practice agreement with a patient care team physician.

B. At any time there are changes in the patient care team physician, authorization to prescribe, or scope of practice, the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse shall revise the practice agreement and maintain the revised agreement.

C. The practice agreement shall contain the following:

1. A description of the prescriptive authority of the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse within the scope allowed by law and the practice of the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse.

2. An authorization for categories of drugs and devices within the requirements of § 54.1-2957.01 of the Code of Virginia.

3. The signature of the patient care team physician who is practicing with the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse or a clear statement of the name of the patient care team physician who has entered into the practice agreement.

D. In accordance with § 54.1-2957.01 of the Code of Virginia, a physician shall not serve as a patient care team physician to more than six nurse practitioners advanced practice registered nurses with prescriptive authority at any one time.

E. Exceptions.

1. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse licensed in the category of certified nurse midwife and holding a license for prescriptive authority may prescribe in accordance with a written or electronic practice agreement with a consulting physician or with a certified nurse midwife who has practiced for at least two years prior to entering into a practice agreement. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse in the category of certified nurse midwife who has qualified for autonomous practice as set forth in 18VAC90-30-87 may prescribe without a practice agreement.

2. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse licensed in the category of a clinical nurse specialist and holding authorization for prescriptive authority may prescribe in accordance with a written or electronic practice agreement with a consulting physician or may prescribe Schedule VI controlled substances without the requirement for inclusion of such prescriptive authority in a practice agreement.

3. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse who is licensed in a category other than certified nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or clinical nurse specialist, and who has met the qualifications for autonomous practice as set forth in 18VAC90-30-86 may prescribe without a practice agreement with a patient care team physician.

A. The nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse shall include on each prescription issued or dispensed his signature and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number, when applicable. If the nurse practitioner's advanced practice registered nurse's practice agreement authorizes prescribing of only Schedule VI drugs and the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse does not have a DEA number, he shall include the prescriptive authority number as issued by the boards.

B. The nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse shall disclose to patients at the initial encounter that he is a licensed nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse. Such disclosure may be included on a prescription pad or may be given in writing to the patient.

C. The nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse shall disclose, upon request of a patient or a patient's legal representative, the name of the patient care team physician and information regarding how to contact the patient care team physician.

A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse may dispense only those manufacturers' samples of drugs that are included in the written or electronic practice agreement.

A. Treating or prescribing shall be based on a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship, and prescribing shall meet the criteria set forth in § 54.1-3303 of the Code of Virginia.

B. A nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse shall not prescribe a controlled substance to himself or a family member, other than Schedule VI as defined in § 54.1-3455 of the Code of Virginia, unless the prescribing occurs in an emergency situation or in isolated settings where there is no other qualified practitioner available to the patient, or it is for a single episode of an acute illness through one prescribed course of medication.

C. When treating or prescribing for self or family, the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse shall maintain a patient record documenting compliance with statutory criteria for a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship.

A. The boards may deny approval of prescriptive authority, revoke or suspend authorization, or take other disciplinary actions against a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse who:

1. Exceeds his the advanced practice registered nurse's authority to prescribe or prescribes outside of the written or electronic practice agreement with the patient care team physician or, for certified nurse midwives, the practice agreement with the consulting physician;

2. Has had his license as a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse suspended, revoked, or otherwise disciplined by the boards pursuant to 18VAC90-30-220; or

3. Fails to comply with requirements for continuing competency as set forth in 18VAC90-40-55.

B. Unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information received from the Prescription Monitoring Program shall be grounds for disciplinary action.

A. Except as provided for delegation of proceedings to an agency subordinate in 18VAC90-30-240, the Committee of the Joint Boards of Nursing and Medicine shall conduct all hearings prescribed herein and shall take action on behalf of the boards.

B. The nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority shall be subjective to the grounds for disciplinary action set forth in 18VAC90-30-220.

C. When the license of a nurse practitioner an advanced practice registered nurse has been suspended or revoked by the joint boards, prescriptive authority shall be suspended pending a hearing simultaneously with the institution of proceedings for a hearing.

D. Any violation of law or of this chapter may result in disciplinary action including the revocation or suspension of prescriptive authority and may also result in additional sanctions imposed on the license of the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse by the joint boards or upon the license of the registered nurse by the Board of Nursing.

A. Practitioners engaged in office-based opioid addiction treatment with buprenorphine shall have obtained a waiver from SAMHSA and the appropriate U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registration.

B. Practitioners shall abide by all federal and state laws and regulations governing the prescribing of buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

C. Nurse practitioners Advanced practice registered nurses who have obtained a SAMHSA waiver shall only prescribe buprenorphine for opioid addiction pursuant to a practice agreement with a SAMHSA-waivered doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine unless the nurse practitioner advanced practice registered nurse has been authorized by the boards for autonomous practice.

D. Practitioners engaged in medication-assisted treatment shall either provide counseling in their practice or refer the patient to a mental health service provider, as defined in § 54.1-2400.1 of the Code of Virginia, who has the education and experience to provide substance misuse counseling. The practitioner shall document provision of counseling or referral in the medical record.