North Dakota

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

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

As of August 2018, 14 NPs in North Dakota have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. Consistent with their prescriptive authority and with proper training or experience an NP in North Dakota may obtain a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products. N.D. Admin. Code §54-05-03.1-10

As of August 2018, 7 PAs in North Dakota have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. A PA in North Dakota may dispense medications as authorized by guidelines determined with a supervising physician. With proper training or appropriate experience a PA in North Dakota can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. N.D. Admin. Code 50-03-01-07.1

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.

Full independent practice 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. N.D. Admin. Code §54-05-03.1-01

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

North Dakota does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

North Dakota does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

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

A physician assistant may collaborate with an appropriate member of their health care team. The degree of collaboration must be determined at the practice site. N.D. Cent. Code §43-17-02.1

A PA may dispense medications which the PA is authorized to prescribe that are within the guidelines of the supervising physician. N.D. Admin. Code 50-03-01-07.1

A PA’s scope of practice is determined between the supervising physician and the PA and must be appropriate to the PA’s level of competence. N.D. Admin. Code §50-03-01-06