Arkansas Department of Health

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ASBN - Collaborative Practice

Guidelines for Collaborative Practice Agreements

An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with Prescriptive Authority must have a current updated Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA) on file with the Board of Nursing. APRNs should keep their original CPA and submit a copy (PDF) to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) through the Arkansas Nurse Portal message center. The APRN is responsible for ensuring this requirement is met. After review of any new CPA, the APRN will be contacted through the Nurse Portal that the CPA has been approved or it has been denied and the reason for the denial. You may NOT practice under a CPA until you receive an approval letter.

• Collaborative Practice Agreement

The APRN must notify the Board in writing within seven (7) days after the CPA is terminated. If the Board does not have a current CPA on file, the APRN’s Prescriptive Authority will be inactivated. When a new CPA has been approved by Board staff, Prescriptive Authority is reactivated.

The Collaborative Practice Agreement must meet the following criteria:

1. Must be complete and legible and on the current, unmodified form.    
2. The collaborating physician must have a current AR license to practice under the Medical Practice Act, § 17-95-201. The collaborating physician must also have an unrestricted DEA registration number for APRNs who prescribe controlled substances.
3. The collaborating physician must have training within the scope, specialty, or expertise of the APRN’s practice/specialty.
4. A provision addressing the availability of the collaborating physician for consultation and/or referral.
5. Method of management of the collaborative practice (include a statement regarding protocols for Prescriptive Authority)
6. Plans for coverage of the health care needs of the patient in the emergency absence of the APRN or collaborating physician.
7. Provision for quality assurance (attach a separate Quality Assurance Plan that has been signed by the APRN and the collaborating physician).
8. Signatures with dates of both the APRN and the collaborating physician.
9. License numbers and certification specialties of both the APRN and the collaborating physician.
10. Address and phone number of the APRN’s and physician’s practice site(s).
11. The APRN and collaborative physician must both initial the requested category of controlled substances.