California DEA

California SB 1524 was signed by the Governor on 9/29/12. However, the Board of Registered Nursing has not made changes to the form for applying for a Furnishing License. Just to clarify, this bill is not about DEA certification. What it does is it eliminated the requirement for 520 hours of physician-supervised furnishing of drugs and devices prior to the NP (or CNM) being issued a NP (or CNM) Furnishing License. It still requires physician approval by signature that the NP is knowledgeable about furnishing drugs and devices when applying for the initial license. It could be that the board just haven't updated their forms yet. The DEA application process did not change. NP's still need to apply for a DEA License and attend a separate board-approved class on prescribing meds that fall into Schedule II and above in order for the NP Furnishing License to include provisions to furnish Schedule II and above.

California's Nurse Practice Act pretty much locks the NP into a collaborative relationship with a physician. The Furnishing License application must be signed by a collaborating physician or a previous collaborating physician familiar with the NP's work. Standardized Procedures are required prior to performing NP level roles and these are a form of contractual agreement between the NP and the collaborating physician. Unfortunately, the way these rules are set up makes it a requirement that the NP is employed or involved in active practice with physicians. It's definitely hard for a new grad without a job offer to start this process.

Per this law, yes, if the physician is willing to sign your application. You should call the BRN about it to cover all bases.

Remember that DEA is a separate application with the DOJ and this can be done online. And also the fact that provisions for Class II and above in the Furnishing License requires attendance of a board approved CME on narcotic meds.