Delaware

Delaware credentials two types of addiction counselors. A Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor requires at minimum a high school diploma and 6,000 hours of experience. A higher-level degree can substitute the number of hours (i.e. a person with a bachelor’s degree needs 4,000 hours). A Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional requires a master’s degree and 3,200 hours as a substance abuse counselor. Del. Code Ann. tit. 24, §3040 – §3045, 24 Del. Reg. §3000, Delaware Certification Board and Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals Licensing

A licensed professional counselor of mental health are trained clinical counseling principles, methods or procedures including the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal and social adjustment. Del. Code Ann. §24-3031(4)

As of August 2018, 18 NPs in Delaware have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. Consistent with their prescriptive authority and with proper training or appropriate experience an NP in independent practice can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products. An NP who is prescribing in collaboration with a physician may be able to receive a federal waiver with proper training or experience and when the collaborating physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Del. Admin. Code §4-8.18

As of August 2018, 6 PAs in Delaware have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. A PA in Delaware may prescribe drugs and Schedules II-V controlled substances when delegated by a supervising physician. With proper training or appropriate experience a PA in Delaware 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. Del. Admin. Code §24.1900.13.3

There are currently no statutory or regulatory standards for the certification of peer recovery support specialists. Instead, the state recognizes the certification process of peer recovery support specialists by a third-party, non-profit certification provider.

Health care providers (including NPs) may sign medical orders for scope of treatment. Del. Code Title 16 §2501a

The Board of Nursing may grant full practice authority upon the issuance of an APRN license. Del. Code Ann. §24-1935

The Board of Nursing may grant full prescriptive authority upon the issuance of an APRN license. Del. Code Ann. §24-1935

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. The NP designation is received after graduation from a master’s program or from an accredited post-basic NP certificate program of at least one academic year in length in a nurse practitioner specialty such as acute care, adult, family, geriatric, pediatric or women’s health, etc. Del. Admin. Code §24-1900.84

Optometrists may only examine, diagnose and treat conditions of the visual system including the removal of foreign bodies. Del. Code. Ann. tit. 24, §2101(a)

Optometrists may only administer an epinephrine autoinjector for treatment of anaphylaxis. Del. Code. Ann. tit.24, §2101(a)(3)

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and also Schedule II hydrocodone or hydrocodone combination medications. Del. Code. Ann. tit. 24, §2101(a)(3)

Delaware does not allow dental hygienists to practice with direct access.

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

Delaware allows for the practice of teledentistry and private payer reimbursement of dental services provided through telehealth. Del. Code Ann. Title 24 §1101, Del. Code Ann. Title 18 §3370 and Del. Code Ann. Title 18 §3571R

Delaware 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.

Delaware does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

A pharmacist must complete an approved training program related to dispensing and administering contraceptives under the standing order and dispense the contraceptive or dispense and administer the injectable hormonal contraceptive as soon as practicable after the pharmacist determines that the patient meets the requirements under the standing order. Del. Code Ann. §3003O

Delaware does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

A collaborative agreement is required between the PA and the collaborating physician. Collaboration means a process in which the physician who oversees patient services and the physician assistant jointly contribute to the healthcare and medical evaluation and treatment or management of patients with each performing actions he or she is individually licensed for and has the education, training, and experience to perform. Del. Code Ann. §24-1770A

A PA may prescribe drugs and Schedules II-V controlled substances when outlined in the collaborative agreement with the collaborating physician. Del. Code Ann. §24-1771

A physician assistant’s scope of practice is determined between the PA and the collaborating physician. Del. Code Ann. §24-1771