- Prior Authorization Requirements For Providers Prescribing Buprenorphine-Containing Products
State law or statute prohibits or limits the use of prior authorization for buprenorphine containing products by either the state Medicaid plan or private insurance company.
Health care insurers, including Medicaid, shall not require prior authorization for buprenorphine, naltrexone, methadone or naloxone. Medicaid program may not require prior authorization for buprenorphine, naltrexone, methadone or naloxone designated as preferred drugs on the preferred drug list. At least one of each of the drugs must be designated as preferred or without prior authorization.
Prior authorization permitted for injectable formulations. Prior authorization may be required for new FDA-approved formulations/medications if more expensive and less effective than existing formulations. ARK. CODE ANN. § 23-99-1119
- Learn more about Prior Authorization Requirements For Providers Prescribing Buprenorphine-Containing Products
- Education Required for Addiction Counselor Credentialing
Arkansas credentials three levels of addiction counselors. A licensed alcoholism and drug abuse counselor requires a master’s degree, 270 education hours related to drug and alcohol counseling and 6,000 hours of supervised experience. A licensed associate alcoholism and drug abuse counselor requires a bachelor’s degree, 270 education hours related to drug and alcohol counseling and 6,000 hours of supervised experience. A certified alcoholism and drug abuse technician requires no post-secondary degree but the individual must have 270 education hours directly related to alcoholism or drug counseling, 6,000 hours of supervised experience. Ark. Stat. Ann. §17-27-401 to 416 and Arkansas State Board of Examiners of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors
- Learn more about Education Required for Addiction Counselor Credentialing
- Licensed Professional Counselor Ability to Diagnose
Licensed professional counselors may render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public any service involving the application of principles, methods, or procedures of the counseling profession. LPCs may assist individuals or groups to develop understandings of personal problems, to define goals, and to develop an action plan. Diagnostic ability is not directly outlined in statute. Ark. Stat. Ann. §17-27-102(9)
- Learn more about Licensed Professional Counselor Ability to Diagnose
- Peer Support Specialist Certification or Credentialing Authority
The Arkansas Peer Specialist Program (APSP) is a three-tiered credentialing process that allows an individual the opportunity to progress through the core, advanced and supervision levels of The Arkansas Model. This is a collaborative effort between the state of Arkansas, the NAADAC and the Association for Addiction Professionals. This program credentials Core Peer Recovery Specialists, Advanced Peer Recovery Specialist, and Peer Recovery Peer Supervisors (PRPS).
- Learn more about Peer Support Specialist Certification or Credentialing Authority
- Certified Nurse Midwife Practice Authority
Full independent practice authority.
CNMs may evaluate patients, diagnose medical conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests and initiate and manage treatment and care plans, including appropriate co-management or transfer of high-risk patients to other healthcare professionals as needed.
CNMs may also prescribe and administer drugs listed in Schedules III-V without a collaborative practice agreement or supervision by another healthcare professional. Schedule II authority requires a collaborative practice agreement. Ark. Code Ann. §17-87-315
- Learn more about Certified Nurse Midwife Practice Authority
- Nurse Practitioner Practice Authority
Transition to independent practice and prescribing period required.
An NP may practice without a collaborative agreement who applies for and is granted a certificate of full independent practice authority from the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee. NPs must practice and prescribe under a collaborative practice agreement with a physician for 6,240 before earning the certificate. The certificate must be renewed every three years. Ark. Code Ann. §17-87-314
An NP who has obtained a certificate for full independent practice authority may independently prescribe drugs, medicines, or therapeutic devices in accordance with their scope of practice. Ark. Code Ann. §17-87-314
- Learn more about Nurse Practitioner Practice Authority
- Nurse Practitioner Authority to Sign POLST Forms
Only physicians are authorized to sign POLST forms. Ark. Stat. Ann. §20-6-304
- Learn more about Nurse Practitioner Authority to Sign POLST Forms
- Nurse Practitioner as a Primary Care Provider
Nurse practitioners are recognized as a primary care providers. Ark. Code Ann. §20-77-140
- Learn more about Nurse Practitioner as a Primary Care Provider
- Authority to perform ophthalmic procedures
Optometrists may perform all procedures included in their full scope of practice, including surgical procedures and laser privileges specified in statute. Ark. Code Ann. §17-90-101
- Learn more about Authority to perform ophthalmic procedures
- Injectable Authority
Optometrists may perform injections, excluding intravenous or intraocular injections. Ark. Code Ann. §17-90-101
- Learn more about Injectable Authority
- Prescription of controlled substances
Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and also Schedule II hydrocodone or hydrocodone combination medications. Ark. Stat. Ann. §17-90-101(a)(3)
- Learn more about Prescription of controlled substances
- Dental Hygienists with Direct Access
Dental hygienists who work in dental clinics, community health centers, or government sponsored dental facilities and who have at least 1 year of full-time services may operate under general supervision of a dentist, meaning the dentist is not required to be in the treatment facility while procedures are being performed. Arkansas law also provides for a dental hygienist collaborative care program, in which dental hygienists are able to provide services in certain settings to children, senior citizens, and people with developmental disabilities without the presence of or prior examination by a dentist. Ark. Stat. Ann. §17-82-703
- Learn more about Dental Hygienists with Direct Access
- Dental Therapists
Statute does not identify dental therapists as an oral health provider.
- Learn more about Dental Therapists
- Practice of Teledentistry
Arkansas does not explicitly allow for the practice of teledentistry.
- Learn more about Practice of Teledentistry
- Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine
Arkansas 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.
- Learn more about Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine
- Prescription Adaptation
Arkansas does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.
- Learn more about Prescription Adaptation
- Prescription of Hormonal Contraceptives
In order to prescribe oral contraceptives, a pharmacist must complete a training program related to oral contraceptives that has been approved by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, make a standardized fact sheet available to the recipient of the drug or device and shall only initiate therapy and administer or dispense, or both, oral contraceptives under a statewide protocol to an individual who is eighteen (18) years of age or older. Arkansas Code §17-92-115
- Learn more about Prescription of Hormonal Contraceptives
- Prescription of Tobacco Cessation Aids
A written protocol for tobacco cessation drug therapy must be approved by the Board of Pharmacy. Arkansas Code §17-92-101
- Learn more about Prescription of Tobacco Cessation Aids
- Supervision Requirements (Practice and Prescriptive Authority)
Supervision by a physician required for practice and prescriptive authority.
The PA is a dependent medical practitioner who provides healthcare services under the supervision of a physician and works under a delegation agreement with a physician. ARK. CODE ANN. § 17-105-101(1)(A),(B)
Physicians supervising PAs may delegate prescriptive authority to physician assistants to include receiving, prescribing, ordering, and administering Schedules II-V controlled substances as described in the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, all legend drugs, and all nonschedule prescription medications and medical devices. Their prescriptive authority only extends to drugs listed in Schedule II if the prescription is for an opioid (five-day prescription or less) or a stimulant (prescription must have been originally initiated by the physician). ARK. CODE ANN. § 17-105-108
- Learn more about Supervision Requirements (Practice and Prescriptive Authority)
- Number of PAs Supervised
The board sets a limit on the number of PAs a physician can supervise.
Arkansas statute does not currently have a limit on how many PAs a physician can supervise but the board enforces a policy limiting physicians to supervising no more than three PAs at once.
- Learn more about Number of PAs Supervised
- Chart Co-Signatures
Chart co-signatures are required (by the board for the first 120 days of practice).
Arkansas does not currently have any provisions related to chart review or co-signatures in statute. However, the board enforces a policy requiring 100% chart co-signature for the first 120 days of practice. After 120 days, the board requires 10% of charts to be co-signed.
- Learn more about Chart Co-Signatures
- Adaptable Proximity Requirements
Statute allows adaptable proximity.
Supervision of PAs shall be continuous but shall not be construed as necessarily requiring the physical presence of the supervising physician at the time and place that the services are rendered. ARK. CODE ANN. § 17-105-109
- Learn more about Adaptable Proximity Requirements
- Scope of Practice Determination
The PA may perform duties in any setting that are delegated by the supervising physician and are also in accordance with all facility policies. Ark. Code Ann. §17-105-107
- Learn more about Scope of Practice Determination
Most Recent Arkansas SOP Legislative Search Results
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H 1460 : Individuals With Violence Offenses
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Relates to disqualification from employment based on criminal background checks,…
Subject: Peer Support Specialists -
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H 1359 : Arkansas State Board of Mental Health Professionals
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Abolishes the State Board of Examiners in Counseling, the State…
Subject: -
AR
H 1178 : Community Paramedic
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Relates to the licensure and services of a community paramedic,…
Subject: Community Health Workers -
AR
S 112 : Physician Assistants
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Provides that, if authorized by the supervising physician, a physician…
Subject: Other Physician Assistant Bills -
AR
H 1258 : Certified Nurse Practitioners Independent Authority
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Authorizes full independent practice authority for certified nurse practitioners who…
Subject: NP Practice Authority, NP Prescriptive Authority
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