- Education Required for Addiction Counselor Credentialing
Massachusetts credentials two types of addiction counselors. A Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) I requires a graduate degree, complete relevant education courses and 6,000 hours of experience. A LADC II requires, at minimum, a high school diploma and complete relevant education courses. An individual with a bachelor’s degree may earn the credential after 4,000 hours of supervised practice and an individual without a degree will need 6,000. 105 Code of Mass. Reg. 168, Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification
- Learn more about Education Required for Addiction Counselor Credentialing
- Licensed Professional Counselor Ability to Diagnose
A licensed mental health counselor may provide services to individuals, families or groups. Counselors may assess, diagnosis and treat mental and emotional disorders. They may also use psychoeducational techniques aimed at prevention of such disorders, and consultation to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities. 262 CMR §2.02
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- Number of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Prescribing Buprenorphine
As of August 2018, 239 NPs in Massachusetts 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. Mass. Reg. Code § 244-4.02 and Mass. Reg. Code § 244-4.07(02)
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- Number of Physician Assistants Prescribing Buprenorphine
As of August 2018, 53 PAs in Massachusetts have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. A Massachusetts PA may prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances in accordance with written guidelines mutually developed and agreed upon by the PA and the supervising physician. Massachusetts PAs 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. Mass. Reg. Code §263-5.04
- Learn more about Number of Physician Assistants Prescribing Buprenorphine
- Peer Support Specialist Certification or Credentialing Authority
The standards for the certification of peer specialists, including experience, training, and supervision requirements, are developed and administered by a third-party, non-profit certification provider.
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- Certified Nurse Midwife Practice Authority
Full independent practice and prescriptive authority.
Nurse midwives shall practice within a health care system and have clinical relationships with obstetrician-gynecologists that provide for consultation, collaborative management or referral, as indicated by the health status of the patient. Nurse midwifery care shall be consistent with the standards of care established by the American College of Nurse Midwives.
Nurse midwives may engage in prescriptive practice without guidelines or supervision. Mass. Reg. Code §244-4.06; Mass. Reg. Code §244-4.07
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- Nurse Practitioner Practice Authority
Full practice authority but transition to independent prescribing authority.
A NP will only practice in the clinical category(s) for which the CNP has attained and maintained certification. NPs with less than two years of experience need guidelines for prescriptive practice and will be supervised by a Qualified Healthcare Professional (physician or NP with independent practice authority). After this period, the NP may independently prescribe. Mass. Reg. Code §244-4.07
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- Nurse Practitioner Authority to Sign POLST Forms
Although not codified, NPs are authorized to sign medical orders for life-sustaining treatment (MOLST) forms. Please see the Massachusetts MOLST website for more information.
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- Nurse Practitioner as a Primary Care Provider
NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. If a health care carrier requires the designation of a primary care provider, the carrier must provide its insured with an opportunity to select a participating provider nurse practitioner as a primary care provider or to change its primary care provider to a participating provider nurse practitioner at any time during their coverage period. Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. §176R(4)
- Learn more about Nurse Practitioner as a Primary Care Provider
- Authority to perform ophthalmic procedures
Optometrists may only perform procedures related to foreign body removal and the examination, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye. Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. 112 §66
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- Injectable Authority
Optometrists may not administer medication through injection. Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. 112 §66B
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- Prescription of controlled substances
Optometrists may not prescribe controlled substances. Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. 112 §66B
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- Dental Hygienists with Direct Access
A dental hygienist who has at least three years of practice experience and a written collaborative agreement with a local or state government agency or institution, or licensed dentist may provide dental hygiene services without supervision in public health settings (e.g., hospitals, medical facilities, schools, community clinics, etc.). The patient must also be provided a written referral to a dentist and an assessment of future oral health needs. Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. Part 1 Chap. 112, Sec. 51
- Learn more about Dental Hygienists with Direct Access
- Dental Therapists
Statute does not identify dental therapists as an oral health provider.
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- Practice of Teledentistry
Massachusetts does not explicitly allow for the practice of teledentistry.
- Learn more about Practice of Teledentistry
- Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine
Massachusetts 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
Massachusetts does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.
- Learn more about Prescription Adaptation
- Prescription of Hormonal Contraceptives
As of August 4th, 2022, pharmacists can dispense emergency contraception pills (ECP) through a statewide standing order, pursuant to chapter 127 of the acts of 2022, An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care. There are two types of ECP that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or sexual assault: ulipristal acetate (UPA or ella®) and levonorgestrel (LNG, Plan B One-Step®, or generic versions). The pharmacist shall provide the patient with instructions based on selected ECP.
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- Prescription of Tobacco Cessation Aids
Massachusetts does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.
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- Supervision Requirements
Supervision by a physician is required. Supervisory relationship is established between the PA and the physician and outlines how adequate supervision is accomplished. Mass. Reg. Code §263-5.03
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- Prescriptive Authority for Physician Assistants
A PA may prescribe drugs and Schedules II-V controlled substances in accordance with written guidelines mutually developed and agreed upon by the PA and the supervising physician. Mass. Reg. Code §263-5.04
- Learn more about Prescriptive Authority for Physician Assistants
- Scope of Practice Determination
A PA may perform any services under the supervision of a physician within the PA’s competency and scope of services. Mass. Reg. Code §263-5.04
- Learn more about Scope of Practice Determination
Most Recent Massachusetts SOP Legislative Search Results
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MA
H 2144 : Multidisciplinary Health Care Teams
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Relates to multidisciplinary health care teams and further regulating advanced…
Subject: , NP Practice Authority, NP Prescriptive Authority -
MA
H 2135 : Physicians Assistants
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Relates to the licensing, supervision and scope of practice of…
Subject: PA SOP Determination, PA Supervision Requirements -
MA
H 2133 : Hormonal Contraceptives
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Relates to hormonal contraceptives.
Subject: Pharmacist Prescription of Hormonal Contraceptives -
MA
H 2005 : Board of Registration of Licensed Recovery Coaches
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Establishes a board of registration of licensed recovery coaches.
Subject: Addiction Counselors -
MA
H 1877 : Hospital and Community Health Center Worker Wages
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Establishes a hospital and community health center worker minimum wage.
Subject: Community Health Workers
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