Indiana
PMHNP Practice Requirements In Indiana: Scope, Prescribing & Collaboration
Short answer: AANP lists Indiana as reduced practice, so a PMHNP operates in collaboration with a licensed practitioner through a written practice agreement, or hospital privileges that spell out the collaboration (IC 25-23-1-19.4). Prescriptive authority, including controlled substances, comes from the Board of Nursing under IC 25-23-1-19.5, and the agreement must include review of at least a 5% random sample of your charts and prescriptions (848 IAC 5-1-1).
Indiana PMHNP Rules At A Glance
| Topic | Indiana Rule |
|---|---|
| Practice authority | Reduced practice. An APRN operates in collaboration with a licensed practitioner as evidenced by a practice agreement, or by hospital privileges that set out how the two will cooperate, coordinate and consult (IC 25-23-1-19.4). |
| Physician agreement | Required for prescriptive authority. The written practice agreement must state how you cooperate, coordinate and consult, and include review of at least a 5% random sample of charts and medications, submitted within seven days (848 IAC 5-1-1). |
| Physician limit | No statutory cap. Neither IC 25-23-1-19.4 nor 848 IAC 5-1-1 limits how many APRNs one practitioner may collaborate with; prescriptive authority expires October 31 of each odd numbered year (IC 25-23-1-19.5). |
| Controlled substances | The Board authorizes qualified APRNs to prescribe drugs including controlled substances (IC 25-23-1-19.5). Writing them requires an Indiana controlled substance registration and DEA registration, within the terms of your practice agreement. |
| PDMP | Since January 1, 2021 every practitioner must check INSPECT before prescribing an opioid or benzodiazepine, with hospice, inpatient and waiver exceptions (IC 25-26-24-19). Opioid treatment plans need a report at the outset and yearly (848 IAC 5-4-7). |
| Regulator | Indiana State Board of Nursing, within the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. The Board of Pharmacy oversees INSPECT and the controlled substance registration. |
Updated October 5, 2026
Practice Authority
Indiana Practice-Authority Category (Reduced Practice)
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) currently classifies Indiana as a reduced practice state. In practice, a PMHNP in Indiana works under a required collaborative relationship with a physician for at least some elements of practice, including aspects of prescribing.
Collaboration
Is A Collaborative Or Supervisory Agreement Required?
Indiana generally requires an NP to have a collaborative relationship or agreement with a physician for at least some functions before providing the full scope of care. State rule sets what any agreement must contain, how it’s documented and how often it’s reviewed.
Prescriptive Authority
Prescriptive Authority And Controlled Substances
Indiana NPs who meet the state’s requirements can be granted prescriptive authority, and it can extend to controlled substances once the conditions are met. You’ll also need a separate federal DEA registration to prescribe them, and some substances carry additional conditions. State law and board rule set the specific scope and documentation, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration covers the federal side.
Next Step
Credentialing Is A Separate Track
Your Indiana license and practice authority don’t enroll you with a single payer. Getting paid is a separate track, with its own payer rules, Medicaid program and enrollment timelines, and we cover it on the Indiana credentialing and payer enrollment page. The PMHNP credentialing guide has the national picture.
Opening your own practice? Get licensure, collaboration and enrollment in the right order with our guide on how to start a PMHNP practice. We also lay out what PMHNP credentialing costs and what it costs to start a PMHNP practice, so you can plan the cash before you file.
Already credentialed and moving to your own Tax ID? Payer Transition moves five commercial payer contracts you already hold for $2,250 per provider. Starting from zero, First Practice Launch sets up the payers, EHR, portals and billing together for $6,000, or four monthly payments of $1,500.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can A PMHNP Practice Independently In Indiana?
No. IC 25-23-1-19.4 requires an APRN to operate in collaboration with a licensed practitioner, shown by a practice agreement or by hospital privileges that describe the collaboration. Indiana has no hours based route to practice without one.
Do I Need A Collaborating Physician In Indiana?
Yes, a collaborating licensed practitioner. For prescriptive authority the Board requires a written practice agreement that sets out how you cooperate, coordinate and consult, lists every location where you prescribe, and includes review of at least a 5% random sample of your charts and medications (848 IAC 5-1-1). The agreement isn’t valid until the Board grants prescriptive authority.
Can A PMHNP Prescribe Adderall In Indiana?
It depends on your authority and agreement. IC 25-23-1-19.5 lets the Board authorize APRNs to prescribe drugs including controlled substances, so stimulants are possible once you hold an Indiana controlled substance registration and DEA registration and your practice agreement covers them. Stimulants don’t trigger the INSPECT check in IC 25-26-24-19, which applies to opioids and benzodiazepines.
This is general information, not legal advice. It applies the general nurse practitioner rules in Indiana to PMHNPs. Rules change, so check with the Indiana State Board of Nursing and the AANP State Practice Environment map before you act on it. Last reviewed: September 26, 2026.
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