Prescriptive Privileges

Connecticut Consumer Protection Agency
Drug Control Division


NOTE: AS OF 2012, THE SECTION IN RED HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE NEW LANGUAGE IN BOLD BELOW. IN PARTICULAR IS THE FACT THAT THE LAW NO LONGER REQUIRES THAT A PHYSICIAN COUNTER SIGN ORDERS UNLESS IT IS SPECIFICALLY REQUIRED IN THE WRITTEN DELEGATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PA AND THE SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN.

Section 1

(a) A physician assistant who has complied with the provisions of sections 20-12b and 20-12c may perform medical functions delegated by a supervising physician when: (1) The supervising physician is satisfied as to the ability and competency of the physician assistant; (2) such delegation is consistent with the health and welfare of the patient and in keeping with sound medical practice; and (3) when such functions are performed under the oversight, control and direction of the supervising physician. The functions that may be performed under such delegation are those that are within the scope of the supervising physician’s license, within the scope of such physician’s competence as evidenced by such physician’s postgraduate education, training and experience and within the normal scope of such physician’s actual practice. Delegated functions shall be implemented in accordance with written protocols established by the supervising physician. All orders written by physician assistants shall be followed by the signature of the physician assistant and the printed name of the supervising physician. A physician assistant may, as delegated by the supervising physician within the scope of such physician’s license, (A) prescribe and administer drugs, including controlled substances in schedule IV or V in all settings, (B) renew prescriptions for controlled substances in schedule II, III, IV or V in all settings, and (C) prescribe and administer controlled substances in schedule II or III in all settings, provided in all cases where the physician assistant prescribes a controlled substance in schedule II or III, the physician under whose supervision the physician assistant is prescribing shall document such physician’s approval of the order in the patient’s medical record not later than one calendar day thereafter. The physician assistant may, as delegated by the supervising physician within the scope of such physician’s license, request, sign for, receive and dispense drugs to patients, in the form of professional samples as defined in section 20-14c or when dispensing in an outpatient clinic as defined in the regulations of Connecticut state agencies and licensed pursuant to subsection (a) of section 19a-491 that operates on a not-for-profit basis, or when dispensing in a clinic operated by a state agency or municipality. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to allow the physician assistant to request, sign for, receive or dispense any drug the physician assistant is not authorized under this subsection to prescribe.

All orders written by a physician assistant shall be followed by the signature of the physician assistant and the printed name of the supervising physician. A physician assistant may, as delegated by the supervising physician within the scope of such physician’s license, (I) prescribe and administer drugs, including controlled substances in schedule IV or V in all settings, (II) renew prescriptions for controlled substances in schedule II, III, IV or V in all settings, (III) prescribe and administer controlled substances in schedule II or III in all settings, provided in all cases where the physician assistant prescribes a controlled substance in schedule II or III, the physician under whose supervision the physician assistant is prescribing shall document such physician’s approval of the order in the patient’s medical record in the manner prescribed in the written delegation agreement, and (IV) prescribe and approve the use of durable medical equipment. The physician assistant may, as delegated by the supervising physician within the scope of such physician’s license, request, sign for, receive and dispense drugs to patients, in the form of professional samples, as defined in section 20-14c, or when dispensing in an outpatient clinic as defined in the regulations of Connecticut state agencies and licensed pursuant to subsection (a) of section 19a-491 that operates on a not-for-profit basis, or when dispensing in a clinic operated by a state agency or municipality. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to allow the physician assistant to request, sign for, receive or dispense any drug the physician assistant is not authorized under this subsection to prescribe.


Prescription blanks must include the following information:

  1. Signature, name, address, license and NPI numbers of PA
  2. Name, address, phone number and license number of supervising physician
    NOTE: EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2014, INFORMATION REGARDING THE SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN
    IS NO LONGER REQUIRED.

In addition the prescription paper must be tamper proof.

Joe B. Doe, PA
Lic. # 123456
Jane Smith, MD
Lic. # 78910

Primary Care Providers, Inc.
234 Victory Drive
Anywhere, CT 06515
(203)789-1234

Name:___________________________ Age:__________

Address:___________________________Date:__________

Rx:

Signature:________________________________________
NPI Number: _________________
DEA Number:_________________ (For Contolled Sbstances Only)

IMPORTANT: SPECIAL INFORMATION REGARDING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES PRESCRIBING!