Louisiana
PMHNP Practice Requirements In Louisiana: Scope, Prescribing & Collaboration
Short answer: AANP lists Louisiana as reduced practice, so a PMHNP diagnoses and prescribes only under a collaborative practice agreement with one or more physicians, and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing must approve each collaborating physician and practice site first (RS 37:913(3)(b), (9); LAC 46:XLVII.4513). Schedule II through V authority is granted by schedule and needs a Louisiana CDS license and DEA registration, and a PMP check is mandatory before any initial opioid prescription (RS 40:978(F)).
Louisiana PMHNP Rules At A Glance
| Topic | Louisiana Rule |
|---|---|
| Practice authority | Reduced practice. Acts of medical diagnosis and prescription by an APRN must be in accordance with a collaborative practice agreement, defined as a formal written statement agreed with one or more licensed physicians or dentists (RS 37:913(3)(b), (9)). |
| Physician agreement | A signed collaborative practice agreement with a physician actively practicing in Louisiana in the same or a comparable specialty, kept on site, plus Board approval of each collaborating physician and practice site before you prescribe (LAC 46:XLVII.4513). |
| Physician limit | The Board approves no more than two collaborating physicians per practice site, and the physician must be available by telephone or direct telecommunication whenever the APRN exercises prescriptive authority (LAC 46:XLVII.4513.D.1.vi.c.i; LSBN prescriptive authority instructions). |
| Controlled substances | Schedules II through V are possible, but you apply by schedule: III through V, Schedule II non-narcotic for ADHD, or full Schedule II. Each needs LSBN approval, a Louisiana CDS license, DEA registration, and a 3 hour CE course. |
| PDMP | Check the Louisiana PMP before initially prescribing any opioid and at least every 90 days if treatment continues (RS 40:978(F)(1)). The statute names opioids, not stimulants or benzodiazepines, though your agreement or employer may require more. |
| Regulator | Louisiana State Board of Nursing (lsbn.state.la.us). Prescriptive authority is a separate credential renewed every two years, with six contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics CE required each year to keep it. |
Updated October 5, 2026
Practice Authority
Louisiana Practice-Authority Category (Reduced Practice)
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) currently classifies Louisiana as a reduced practice state. In practice, a PMHNP in Louisiana 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?
Louisiana 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
Meet the requirements in Louisiana and you can be granted prescriptive authority, which can reach controlled substances once the conditions are met. For controlled substances you’ll also need your own federal DEA registration, and some substances carry additional conditions. The specific scope and documentation come from state law and board rule, with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration covering the federal side.
Next Step
Credentialing Is A Separate Track
Being allowed to practice in Louisiana and getting paid there are two different things. Payer enrollment has its own rules, Medicaid program and timelines, which our Louisiana credentialing and payer enrollment guide covers in detail. For the national picture, there’s the PMHNP credentialing guide.
Starting a practice from scratch? Our guide on how to start a PMHNP practice puts licensure, collaboration and enrollment in the right order. Cash flow is part of the plan, and our guides show what PMHNP credentialing costs and what it costs to start a PMHNP practice.
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 Louisiana?
No. Louisiana law ties every act of medical diagnosis and prescription by an APRN to a collaborative practice agreement with a physician (RS 37:913(3)(b)), and there is no hours based path to practicing without one. You can own the practice, but a collaborating physician approved by the LSBN must be on file before you diagnose or prescribe. Bills to change this have not passed as of October 2026.
Do I Need A Collaborating Physician In Louisiana?
Yes. The physician must be actively practicing in Louisiana in the same or a comparable specialty, must be available by phone or telecommunication whenever you prescribe, and must be approved by the LSBN for your practice site (LAC 46:XLVII.4513). The Board approves no more than two collaborating physicians per site. Retired or encumbered physicians can’t serve.
Can A PMHNP Prescribe Adderall In Louisiana?
Yes, if your controlled substance approval covers it. LSBN grants controlled substance authority by schedule, and Schedule II non-narcotic for ADHD is one of the options on the application, so the collaborative practice agreement and attestation must list it. You also need a Louisiana CDS license and DEA registration for the same schedules, plus a 3 hour Board approved CE course on controlled substance prescribing.
This is general information, not legal advice. It applies the general nurse practitioner rules in Louisiana to PMHNPs. Rules change, so check with the Louisiana 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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