Rhode Island

Rhode Island credentials two types of addiction counselors. An Advanced Chemical Dependency Professional (ACDP) I requires a high school diploma, 270 hours of relevant education courses and 300 hours of supervision. A post-secondary behavioral health degree may shorten the credentialing process. An ACDP II requires a master’s degree, 180 hours of relevant education courses and 300 hours of supervision. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-69, Rhode Island Board of Licensing for Chemical Dependency Professionals and Rhode Island Board for the Certification of Chemical Dependency Professionals

Clinical counselors in mental health provide services to individuals, families or groups. These professional services include applying the principals, methods and theories of counseling and/or psychotherapeutic techniques to define goals and develop a treatment plan of action aimed toward the prevention, treatment and resolution of social, mental and emotional dysfunction and intrapersonal or interpersonal disorders in persons diagnosed at intake as nonpsychotic and not presenting medical problems. R.I. Gen. Laws. §5-63.2-2

As of August 2018, 33 NPs in Rhode Island 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 Montana may obtain a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-34-49

As of August 2018, 9 PAs in Rhode Island have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. A PA in Rhode Island may prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances as delegated by a supervising physician. With proper training or appropriate experience a PA in Rhode Island 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. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-54-8

The standards and requirements for certification of a peer recovery specialists are developed and administered by a third-party, non-profit certification provider.

NPs are authorized to sign medical Orders for life-sustaining treatment forms. R.I. Gen. Laws §23-4.11

Full independent practice authority. The NP is licensed by the State Board of Nursing. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-34-3(2)

Full independent prescriptive authority. May prescribe legend drugs and Schedules II-V controlled substances if within the NP’s role and population focus. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-34-49

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers.  An NP chooses a population focus of the patient population as a specialty. Population focus includes: family/Individual across the life span; adult-gerontology; neonatal; pediatrics; women’s health/gender-related; and psychiatric/mental health. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-34-3(13)

Optometrists may only perform procedures related to foreign body removal and the examination, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-35.1-1(7)

Optometrists may not deliver any medication by injection. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-35.1-12(a)

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and Schedule II controlled substances containing hydrocodone combinations. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-35.1-1(8)

A public health dental hygienist may perform services in a public health setting without the immediate supervision of a dentist. A written collaboration agreement is required between the hygienist and a local or state government agency or institution or a dentist. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-31.1-39

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

Licensed providers using telemedicine in the practice of dentistry are subject to the same standard of care that would apply to the provision of the same dental care service or procedure in an in-person setting. R.I. Gen. Laws §27-8-3

Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

Rhode Island does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

Rhode Island does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

A PA practices in collaboration with a physician. The type of collaboration is determined between the PA and the collaborating physician. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-54-2

A PA may prescribe legend drugs, devices and Schedules II-V controlled substances if delegated by the supervising physician. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-54-8

A PA may perform health care services consistent with their expertise and that of the supervising physician. R.I. Gen. Laws §5-54-8