Can physicians assistants prescribe CII medications without physician authorization?

Physician assistants (PAs) typically do not have independent authority to prescribe Schedule II (CII) medications without physician authorization. In most cases, PAs must have a supervising or collaborating physician who has oversight over their prescribing practices.

The ability of PAs to prescribe medications, including controlled substances, is regulated at the state level. While some states may allow PAs to prescribe CII medications under certain conditions or with specific limitations, a general rule is that they require some level of authorization from a supervising physician. Therefore, the notion that PAs can freely prescribe CII medications without any physician involvement is not accurate under standard practice and regulations.

State laws can vary significantly, but without a supervising physician's authorization, PAs cannot prescribe CII medications consistently across all jurisdictions, making the statement that they can do so without any type of physician authorization incorrect.