Mississippi

Mississippi credentials five types of addiction counselors. The Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals offers the credentials of a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) at three levels (basic, I and II) and a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). A CADC at the basic level requires a high school diploma and three years of experience. A CADC I requires a bachelor’s degree and four years of experience. A CADC II requires a master’s degree in a relevant field and five years of experience. A CAADC requires a master’s degree in a relevant field and two years of experience. All credentials require the completion of 270 hours of relevant education courses.

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health/ Division of Professional Licensure and Certification offers the credential of Certified Addictions Therapists (CATs). A CAT requires a master’s degree, the completion of relevant education courses and two years of experience. Miss. Admin. Code Title 24 Part 3, Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Mississippi Department of Mental Health Division of Professional Licensure and Certification and Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals

A licensed professional counselor may diagnose, assess and treat patients by using counseling/psychotherapy methods and techniques. Counselors may also use group and/or placement methods and techniques which serve to further the goals of counseling. Miss. Code Ann. §73-30-3(c)

As of August 2018, 16 NPs in Mississippi 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. Miss. Nursing Practice Law §73-15-20(3) and Miss. Nursing Practice Law §73-15-20(8)

As of August 2018, 2 PAs in Mississippi have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. A Mississippi PA may prescribe Schedules II-V controlled substances if outlined in a practice protocol and delegated by a supervising physician. Mississippi 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. Miss. Code Regs. §30-17-2615-1.5

The certification requirements for peer support specialists are established by the state’s Department of Mental Health. The comprehensive certification standards include minimum qualifications, training, continuing education, and employment requirements. Miss. Code R. § 24-5:1, et seq

Physician relationship required for practice and prescriptive authority.

Collaboration with a supervising physician is required and written practice guidelines must be developed between the physician and the NM. The Board of Nursing must approve the protocol to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. 

CNMs may apply for controlled substance prescriptive authority after completing a board-approved educational program. Those who have completed the program and received prescriptive authority may prescribe Schedules II-V. Mississippi Nursing Practice Law §73-15-20

Physician relationship required for practice and prescriptive authority.

Collaboration with a supervising physician is required and written practice guidelines must be developed between the physician and the NP. The Board of Nursing must approve the protocol to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Certified NPs may apply for controlled substance prescriptive authority after completing a board-approved educational program. Those who have completed the program and received prescriptive authority may prescribe Schedules II-V. Mississippi Nursing Practice Law §73-15-20(3)

Only physicians are authorized to sign physician orders for sustaining treatment forms. Miss. Code Ann. §41-41-302

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. Primary care provider means an individual or other legal entity that is licensed, registered or otherwise authorized to provide primary care services in this state under Chapter 25, Title 73, Mississippi Code of 1972, which lists NP licensure requirements. Miss. Code. Ann. §83-81-3

Optometrists may perform all procedures included in their full scope of practice, including surgical and laser procedures. Miss. Code. Ann. §73-19-1

Optometrists may administer all pharmaceutical agents for the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including epinephrine auto-injections to counter anaphylaxis. Miss. Code. Ann. §73-19-1 and Miss. Code Ann. §73-19-165

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and also Schedule II hydrocodone or hydrocodone combination medications. Miss. Code. Ann. §73-19-165

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

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

Mississippi does not explicitly allow for the practice of teledentistry.

Mississippi 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.

Mississippi does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

Mississippi does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

Mississippi does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

The supervision arrangement must be approved by the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure. Supervision must be continuous but does not necessarily require the physical presence of the supervising physician. Miss. Code. Regs. §30-17-2615-1.7

A PA may prescribe drugs and Schedules II-V controlled substances if outlined in the board-approved protocol and if delegated by the supervising physician. Miss. Code Regs. §30-17-2615-1.5

A PA may perform duties and responsibilities as delegated by the supervising physician and within the PA’s training and skills. However, the State Board of Medical Licensure regulates the practice of PAs. Miss. Code. Regs. §30-17-2615-1.1, Miss. Code Ann. §73-26-5