How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse

How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky

In order to become certified and licensed as a PMHNP in the state of Kentucky, one must have an active Kentucky RN license, RN multi-state, or compact license and complete a Master’s degree (MSN) or post-master’s certificate from an accredited university in psychiatric/mental health nursing, including 320 clinical hours. The individual must also apply for and pass the ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky) board certification examination. To apply to sit for the certification exam, one must have active RN license in Kentucky. An individual must have graduated from a Master’s degree (MSN) or post-master’s certificate from an accredited university in psychiatric/mental health nursing and provide official transcripts from the designated university. The individual applies by turning in the application and verifying the university program with official transcripts. One must also verify their clinical experience, then he or she will be approved and given an authorization number to take the ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) board certification examination (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), n.d.).(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky)

The APRN Kentucky licensure requirements include: completing the online application on the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) website, completing the state and federal criminal background check through IdentoGO, submitting an official transcript of advanced practice education with degree and date posted, submitting proof of current national certification, and reporting criminal convictions​​ to the KBN (Endorse an APRN License Issued by Another State or Apply for Your Initial Kentucky Aprn License Using Your Current Multistate, Compact Rn License or Apply for Initial Kentucky Aprn License Using Your, n.d.). (How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky)Kentucky’s board of nursing website is https://kbn.ky.gov/. In Kentucky, advanced practice registered nursing is defined in KRS 314.011 (8) as the performance of additional acts by registered nurses licensed as APRNs. Thus, the legal scope of practice for advanced practice registered nursing is predicated on the: added knowledge and skills obtained through an accredited education program; certification through a national organization or agency recognized to certify registered nurses for advanced practice registered nursing practice; certification in at least one advanced practice population focus; and additional acts subject to the approval of the Board, and consistency with certifying agencies’ and organizations’ national scopes and standards (Goldman, 2015).(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky)

In Kentucky, the regulatory structure is reduced practice. State practice and licensure laws reduce the ability of NPs to engage in at least one element of NP practice. State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider in order for the NP to provide patient care, or it limits the setting of one or more elements of NP practice. KRS 314.042 (8) and (9) provide the only statutory requirements for physician involvement; requiring an APRN enter into a collaborative agreement for prescriptive authority (CAPA) with a physician prior to prescribing drugs(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky). The APRN is individually responsible and accountable for his or her acts and decisions independent of the physician signing the APRN’s CAPA. There is nothing in regulation or statute that limits the number of licensed Kentucky APRNs with whom a licensed Kentucky physician may enter into a CAPA. The advanced practice registered nurse shall have completed four years of prescribing as a nurse practitioner before an advanced practice registered nurse may discontinue or be exempt from a CAPA. After four years of prescribing with a CAPA in collaboration with a physician: an advanced practice registered nurse whose license is in good standing at that time with the Kentucky Board of Nursing and who will be prescribing nonscheduled legend drugs without a CAPA shall notify that board that the four-year requirement has been met and that he or she will be prescribing nonscheduled legend drugs without a CAPA (APRN Collaborative Agreement Prescriptive Authority CAPA, n.d.).(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky)

Before engaging in the prescribing of controlled substances, the advanced practice registered nurse shall: have been licensed to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse for one year with the KBN or be nationally certified as an advanced practice registered nurse and be registered, certified, or licensed in good standing as an advanced practice registered nurse in another state for one year prior to applying for licensure by endorsement in Kentucky. Prior to prescribing controlled substances, the APRN shall obtain a Controlled Substance Registration Certificate through the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The CAPA-CS shall be reviewed and signed by both the advanced practice registered nurse and the collaborating physician(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky). The CAPA-CS shall state the limits on controlled substances which may be prescribed by the advanced practice registered nurse, as agreed to by the advanced practice registered nurse and the collaborating physician. Within thirty days of obtaining a Controlled Substance Registration Certificate from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and prior to prescribing controlled substances, the advanced practice registered nurse shall register with the electronic system for monitoring controlled substances established by KRS 218A.202 and shall provide a copy of the registration certificate to the board. While practicing and prescribing scheduled narcotics in Kentucky, the APRN must always be in a collaborative agreement for prescriptive authority with a physician. APRNs in Kentucky can prescribe Schedules II through V narcotics (APRN Collaborative Agreement Prescriptive Authority CAPA, n.d.).(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky)

As an NP who administers, prescribes or dispenses any controlled substance, you must be registered with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). To obtain a DEA number, the APRN must: apply online at the U.S. Department of Justice website. This resource is only available to new applicants; call the DEA Headquarters Registration Unit toll free at 800-882-9539 or call your nearest DEA Registration Field Office to request a physical copy of the order form; or submit a completed requisition form—DEA Form 222a, which is mailed to a registrant approximately 30 days after each shipment of DEA Forms 222. In Kentucky, the APRN must be active and practicing for one year prior to applying for a DEA number. The online DEA application has six sections to complete. These sections require information regarding your personal and practice information, business activity and prescribing schedules, state license, background, and payment. After you apply it takes 4-6 weeks to get a DEA number (How to Get Information About Obtaining a DEA Number, n.d.).(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky)

References

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN). (n.d.). https://kbn.ky.gov. https://kbn.ky.gov/Pages/advanced-practice-registered-nurse.aspxLinks to an external site.(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky)

APRN Collaborative Agreement Prescriptive Authority CAPA. (n.d.). https://kbn.ky.gov/Practice/Pages/APRN-Collaborative-Agreement-Prescriptive-Authority-CAPA.(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky)

Response to Colleague

Thank you for sharing the requirements and regulations for becoming a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and obtaining licensure in Kentucky. It is interesting to see that one must have an active Kentucky RN license, RN multi-state, or compact license and complete a Master’s degree (MSN) or a post-master certificate from an accredited university in psychiatric/mental health nursing, including 320 clinical hours, to become certified and licensed as a PMHNP in Kentucky. Also, one must pass the ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) board certification examination after graduation. Thank you for bringing up this important point, which highlights the importance of understanding the regulatory structure in each state when considering a career as a nurse practitioner (Hampton et al., 2021). As you mentioned, in Kentucky, nurse practitioners are classified as “reduced practice,” meaning they have some restrictions on their ability to practice independently. (How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky)
Regarding prescribing controlled substances, the requirements you mentioned are correct. Kentucky nurse practitioners must obtain a Controlled Substance Registration Certificate from the DEA and their APRN license. It is important to note that the specific requirements for obtaining this certificate may vary by state, so it is important to check with the relevant regulatory agencies in the state(s) where you plan to practice. Becoming a PMHNP in Kentucky requires completing a rigorous educational program, passing a certification exam, and obtaining the necessary licenses and certifications to practice within the state’s regulatory structure (Hampton et al., 2021)(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky). It is important to carefully research and understand the requirements in your specific state, the scope of practice and other regulations that may impact your work as a nurse practitioner. Thank you for sharing the information about the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) website, where one can complete the online application, submit the required documentation, and report criminal convictions. Overall, you have clearly understood the requirements and regulations for becoming a PMHNP and obtaining licensure in Kentucky.(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky)

 
Reference

Hampton, D., Parrish, E., & Buckler, L. (2021). Professional values and role socialization of new NPs. The Nurse Practitioner, 46(8), 44–50.(How to Become a PMHNP Certified and Licensed Nurse in Kentucky)