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Behavioral Health Providers
Prior Authorization Requirements For Providers Prescribing Buprenorphine-Containing Products

Prior authorization requirements are up to the discretion of the state Medicaid program or insurance company.

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Education Required for Addiction Counselor Credentialing

North Dakota credentials one type of addiction counselor. A Licensed Addiction Counselor requires, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in addictions or a related field and 1,400 hours clinical training. N.D. Cent. Code §43-45 and North Dakota State Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners

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Licensed Professional Counselor Ability to Diagnose

Professional counselors assist individuals, couples, families, and groups in achieving more effective emotional, mental, marital, family, and social or educational development and adjustment. Counselors prevent, assess and treat emotional, mental or behavioral disorder and distress that interferes with mental health. Diagnostic ability is not outlined in statute. N.D. Cent. Code §43-47-01

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Peer Support Specialist Certification or Credentialing Authority

The certification standards and procedures for peer specialists were developed and administered by the state's Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. The standards include requirements for experience, training, examination and continued education.

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Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
Certified Nurse Midwife Practice and Prescriptive Authority

Full independent practice and prescriptive authority.

The Board of Nursing shall authorize advanced nursing practice to a registered nurse who has submitted evidence of advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities in a defined area of nursing practice. Individuals are licensed as advanced practice registered nurses (including CNMs).   

CNMs must apply for and receive a drug enforcement administration number before writing prescriptions for controlled substances. N.D. Admin. Code §54-05-03.1-10

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Nurse Practitioner Practice and Prescriptive Authority

Full independent practice and prescriptive authority.

The Board of Nursing shall authorize advanced nursing practice to a registered nurse who has submitted evidence of advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities in a defined area of nursing practice. Individuals are licensed as advanced practice registered nurses (includes NPs). N.D. Admin. Code §54-05-03.1-01

The NP may prescribe drugs, devices and controlled substances. N.D. Admin. Code §54-05-03.1-10

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Nurse Practitioner Authority to Sign POLST Forms

North Dakota does not have laws or regulations around POLST. NPs are authorized to sign advanced directive forms. N.D. Cent. Code. §23-06.5

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Nurse Practitioner as a Primary Care Provider

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. The medical assistance program recognizes physician assistants and NPs as primary care providers with the same rights and responsibilities given primary care physicians under the medical assistance program. N.D. Cent. Code §50-24.1-32

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Optometrists
Authority to Perform Ophthalmic Procedures

Optometrists may only perform procedures related to foreign body removal and the examination, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye. Additional allowable procedures may be authorized by statute and/or rule. N.D. Cent. Code §43-13-01

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Injectable Authority

Optometrists may use topically administered and prescribed pharmaceutical agents for treatment of eye disorders or diseases and locally administered pharmaceutical agents for primary eye care procedures. N.D. Cent. Code §43-13-01

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Prescription of Controlled Substances

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances. N.D. Admin. Code §56-02-05-08

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Oral Health Providers
Dental Hygienists with Direct Access

North Dakota does not allow dental hygienists to practice with direct access.

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Dental Therapists

Statute does not identify dental therapists as an oral health provider.

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Practice of Teledentistry

North Dakota Medicaid reimburses for teledentistry services delivered through live video. North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services

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Pharmacists
Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine

North Dakota has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the federal PREP Act allowed pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through the duration of the public health emergency.

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Prescription Adaptation

North Dakota does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

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Prescription of Hormonal Contraceptives

North Dakota does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

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Prescription of Tobacco Cessation Aids

North Dakota does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

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Physician Assistants
Physician Assistant Practice and Prescriptive Authority

Supervision or collaboration not required for practice or prescriptive authority.

A PA may provide a legal medical service for which a PA is prepared by education, training and experience and is competent to perform. N.D. Cent. Code §43-17-02.1(1)

A PA shall collaborate with, consult with, or refer to the appropriate member of the health care team as indicated by the condition of the patient, the education, experience and competence of the PA and the standard of care. N.D. Cent. Code §43-17-02.1(2),(4)-(6)

A PA: a. may prescribe, dispense, administer and procure drugs and medical devices; b. may plan and initiate a therapeutic regimen that includes ordering and prescribing nonpharmacological interventions, including durable medical equipment, nutrition, blood and blood products, and diagnostic support services, including home health care, hospice, and physical and occupational therapy; c. may prescribe and dispense schedule II through V substances as designated by the federal drug enforcement agency and all legend drugs. N.D. Cent. Code §43-17-02.1(3)

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Number of PAs Supervised

North Dakota does not currently have any provisions related to the number of PAs a physician can supervise or collaborate with.

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Chart Co-Signatures

North Dakota does not currently have any provisions related to chart review or co-chart signature requirements.

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Adaptable Proximity Requirements

Statute allows adaptable proximity.

The degree of collaboration must be determined at the practice which may include decisions made by the employer, group, hospital service, and the credentialing and privileging systems of a licensed facility. N.D. Cent. Code §43-17-02.1(2),(4)-(6)

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Scope of Practice Determination

A physician assistant can provide any legal medical service for which a physician assistant is prepared by education, training and experience and is competent to perform. N.D. Admin. Code §50-03-01-01

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