Oklahoma has enacted a major change for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). House Bill 2298, effective November 1, 2025, allows certain APRNs to obtain independent prescriptive authority once they have completed 6,240 hours of physician-supervised clinical practice with prescriptive authority and meet additional requirements set by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.
This law is a significant step toward full practice authority for Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNPs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), aligning Oklahoma with the growing national trend of expanding APRN independence.
Key Provisions of HB 2298
- APRNs may apply for independent prescriptive authority if they:
- Hold a valid Oklahoma APRN license in good standing.
- Are certified as a CNP, CNS, or CNM.
- Have completed at least 6,240 hours of clinical practice with prescriptive authority under physician supervision. (Hours earned before the law’s effective date count toward the total.)
- Independent Prescribing: Approved APRNs will be able to prescribe and order medications, including controlled substances within their scope of practice, without a supervising physician. Independent authority will be valid through the APRN’s current license cycle and renewable at the same time as license renewal.
- Malpractice Coverage: APRNs with independent prescriptive authority (or their employers) must maintain malpractice insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate per year.
- Advertising & Disclosures: The Oklahoma Board of Nursing will set advertising rules to ensure that APRNs clearly identify themselves and do not imply that they are physicians.
What This Means for APRNs and Employers
- APRNs: If you currently prescribe under a supervising physician, you must keep that agreement in place until after November 1, 2025, and until your independent prescriptive authority application is approved.
- Employers & Med Spas: Practices that rely on APRNs, especially those offering medical aesthetic services, should review staffing plans and supervision agreements now. This law will give experienced APRNs greater autonomy and may change how you structure collaborative agreements, compensation, and insurance coverage.
Preparing for the Transition
The Oklahoma Board of Nursing will issue detailed procedures, forms, and rules for applying for independent prescriptive authority in the coming months. APRNs should monitor:
- Board email updates
- The Board’s website and newsletter
Employers should also review malpractice policies and update internal protocols to stay compliant with the new law.
Contact Lengea Law to review your contracts and policies before the November 1, 2025 effective date.