Louisiana

Louisiana credentials three types of addiction counselors. A Registered Addiction Counselors requires a high school diploma, 270 hours of relevant education and 6,000 hours of supervised experience. A Certified Addiction Counselors requires a bachelor’s degree, 270 of relevant education and 4,000 hours of experience. A Licensed Addiction Counselor requires a graduate degree, 270 of relevant education and 2,000 hours of experience. La. Rev. Stat. §37:3387 and Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

Licensed mental health counselors provide services such as prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral, and addiction disorders to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public. Counselors assist an individual or group, through psychotherapy and the counseling relationship, to develop an understanding of personal problems, to define goals, and to plan actions reflecting his or their interests, abilities, aptitudes and needs as these are related to personal and social concerns, educational progress, and occupations and careers. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §37-1103(10)

As of August 2018, 61 NPs in Louisiana 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 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. La Admin. Code §46-XLVII.4513(D)

As of August 2018, 4 PAs in Louisiana have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. In Louisiana, Schedule II-V controlled substances may be prescribed by a PA as delegated by a supervising physician. A Louisiana PA with proper training or appropriate experience 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. La. Rev. Stat. §37:1360.31(C)

The requirements for peer support specialists are established by the Office of Behavioral Health in the Louisiana Department of Health. These requirements include minimum qualifications, training and continued education.

Only physicians are authorized to sign physician order for scope of treatment forms. La. Rev. Stat. §40:1155.3

A collaborative practice agreement is required and includes parameters agreed upon by the NP and the supervising physician. The agreement must include availability of the collaborating physician for consultation and/or referral, methods of management, and coverage of care in the absence of the physician. La. Admin. Code §46-XLVII.4513

A collaborative practice agreement must outline the prescriptive authority requirements from the authorizing physician. The NP may prescribe prescription drugs and Schedule II-V controlled substances. La Admin. Code §46-XLVII.4513(D)

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. AN NP chooses a population focus, which refers to one of the areas of concentrated study and practice provided to a collection of specified individuals who have characteristics in common. A broad, population-based focus of study encompasses common problems and aspects of that group of patients and the likely co-morbidities, interventions, and responses to those problems. Examples include, but are not limited to neonatal, pediatric, women’s health, adult, family, mental health, etc. La. Admin. Code §46-XLVII.4505

Optometrists may perform all procedures included in their full scope of practice, including surgical and laser procedures. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §37:1041

Optometrists may administer all pharmaceutical agents for the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including epinephrine auto-injections to counter anaphylaxis. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §37:1041

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and also Schedule II hydrocodone or hydrocodone combination medications. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §37:1041(2)

Louisiana does not allow dental hygienist to practice with direct access.

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

Louisiana does not explicitly allow for the practice of teledentistry.

Louisiana 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.

Louisiana does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

Louisiana does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

Louisiana does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

Supervision is determined between the physician and the PA. Physical presence of the supervising physician at the time and place of services rendered is not required. La. Rev. Stat. §37:1360.28

A PA may prescribe drugs and Schedules II-V controlled substances as delegated by the supervising physician. La. Rev. Stat. §37:1360.31(C)

The medical services performed by the PA are assigned by the supervising physician. Performance of medical services must be within the scope of the PA’s education, training and experience. La. Rev. Stat. §37:1360.31