Apply for a NP/PA/CRNA/CNM/CNS Waiver

waiver course

Do I qualify for a NP/PA/CNS/CRNA/CNM Waiver?

A qualifying NP, PA, CRNA, CNM, and CNS must:

1. Be licensed under state law to prescribe Schedule III, IV, or V medications for pain
2. Complete no less than 24 hours of appropriate education through a qualified provider
3. Demonstrate the ability to treat and manage OUD through other training or experience

The CARA Act and HR6
The Comprehensive Recovery Act (2016) expands access to substance use treatment services and overdose reversal medications by extending the privilege of prescribing buprenorphine in office-based settings to qualifying nurse practitioners and physician assistants until October 1, 2021.

HR6 (2018) further expanded access to substance use treatment services by adding qualifying clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives to list of practitioners eligible to prescribe buprenorphine until October 1, 2023.

NP's and PA's may treat up to 30 patients at one time in their first year, and 100 patients after one full year of prescribing.

 

How do I Apply for My Waiver?

  1. Complete Notification of Intent.

    Fill out your Notification of Intent Form by clicking here. Applications are sent directly to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT).

  2. Send Training Certificate
    After the Notification of Intent Form is complete, NPs and PAs must email or fax their Training certificate (provided at the end of the ASAM training in the e-Learning Center) to CSAT (infobuprenorphine@samhsa.hhs.gov) to show that they have completed the required training to prescribe and dispense buprenorphine.

Contacting CSAT About an Application

SAMHSA reviews applications within 45 days of receipt. SAMHSA will send an email containing a letter of waiver confirmation with an NP or PA’s assigned special identification number to use when prescribing within this timeframe.

If it has been longer than 45 days since a provider submitted their application, or they did not receive confirmation of receipt upon submission, please contact CSAT here:

Email: infobuprenorphine@samhsa.hhs.gov

CSAT Buprenorphine Information Center: 886.BUP.CSAT (866.287.2728)

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