Arizona

Arizona credentials three levels of addiction counselors. A licensed independent substance abuse counselor requires a master’s degree, 24 semester hours of counseling-related coursework and 3,200 supervised contact hours. A licensed associate substance abuse counselor requires a bachelor’s degree, 30 semester hours of counseling-related coursework and 3,200 supervised contact hours. A licensed substance abuse technician requires a chemical dependency associate degree and 30 semester hours of counseling-related coursework. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-3321 and Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

A licensed professional counselor may facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the human life span, treat interpersonal relationship issues and nervous, mental and emotional disorders that are cognitive, affective or behavioral and manage symptoms of mental illness. LPCs may also assess, appraise, evaluate, diagnose and treat individuals, couples, families and groups through the use of psychotherapy. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-3251.10

As of August 2018, 178 NPs in Arizona 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 Arizona may obtain a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products. Ariz. Admin. Code §4-19-511 and Ariz. Admin. Code §5-19-512

As of August 2018, 46 PAs in Arizona have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. Arizona PAs are authorized to prescribe Schedules II-V controlled substances as delegated by a supervising physician. With proper training or appropriate experience a PA in Arizona 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. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-2532

Arizona’s Medicaid program has established requirements and standards for the training, credentialing, and supervision of peer/recovery support specialists. These individuals use their own lived mental health or substance use experiences to provide support and services to others in recovery. Training is developed and administered by third-party certification providers.

NPs may sign POLST forms. They must always confirm the patient’s or surrogate’s wishes before signing the form. (New regulation. Awaiting link)

Full independent practice authority. NP’s practice under the licensure authority of the State Board of Nursing instead of a licensed physician. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-1601(20)

The Board of Nursing allows an NP to prescribe and dispense drugs and devices within the NP’s population focus (e.g. family-individual across life span, adult-gerontology primary or acute care, neonatal). An NP may also prescribe Schedules II-V controlled substances. Ariz. Admin. Code §4-19-511 and Ariz. Admin. Code §5-19-512

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. Nurse practitioners must practice within one or more population focuses, consistent with their education and certification. Population focuses include: family-individual across the life span; adult-gerontology primary or acute care; neonatal; pediatric primary or acute care; women’s health-gender related; and psychiatric-mental health. Ariz. Admin. Code §4-19-501(B)

Optometrists may only examine, diagnose and treat conditions of the visual system, including the removal of foreign bodies. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-1701(6)

Optometrists may only administer an epinephrine autoinjector for treatment of anaphylaxis. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-1706(F)

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and also Schedule II hydrocodone or hydrocodone combination medications. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-1706

A dental hygienist may provide services outside the private dental office with a written affiliated practice agreement. The agreement must outline practice settings and services provided. The dental hygienist must fulfill requirements before entering into an affiliated practice relationship. A dental hygienist working at a public health agency or school may apply topical fluoride without entering into an affiliated practice relationship. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-1281 and Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-1289

Dental therapists may practice under the direct supervision of a dentist or under a written collaborative practice agreement. Dental therapists may perform oral exams, perform prophylaxis, dispense and administer oral and topical non-narcotic analgesics and anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medications, administer nitrous oxide, among others. A dental therapist may work in a FQHC, community health center, non-profit dental practice, a private dental office and a health center program that has received a federal look-alike designation. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32.1276.03

Teledentistry means the use of data transmitted through interactive audio, video or data communications for the purposes of examination, diagnosis, treatment planning, consultation and directing the delivery of treatment by dentists and dental providers. Arizona Medicaid reimburses for teledentistry. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-1201-24 and AHCCCS Medical Policy Manual Chapter 320-I

Arizona 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.

Arizona does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

A pharmacist may dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive to patients 18 years of age or older. The pharmacists must obtain a completed nationally recognized self-screening risk assessment from each patient and provide the patient with information about the contraceptive. (Bill enacted in 2021. Statute not yet updated)

A pharmacist must complete a training course in the subject area of tobacco cessation drug therapy and must include instruction in specific content areas. A written protocol for tobacco cessation drug therapy must be approved by the Board of Pharmacy. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-18-3

The supervising physician is responsible for all aspects of the performance and supervision of a PA. Both the PA and the physician must ensure that the relationship and access to the supervising physician are defined and there is a process for evaluation, among other items. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-2533

The PA may prescribe drugs and Schedules II-V controlled substances with delegation from the supervising physician. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-2532

The supervising physician delegates tasks to the PA that are within the PA’s skills and the physician’s scope of practice. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-2531