Back to All NewsNew Bill Would Give Independent Practice to APRNs in Texas
Posted By American Med Spa Association, Friday, February 26, 2021
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A new bill introduced in the Texas House would allow advance practice registered nurses (APRNs) to practice in independently without a written agreement or supervision from physicians. The bill is sponsored by Representative Stephanie Klick and is known as House Bill 2029 (HB 2029); you can read the bill in full here. HB 2029 is awaiting committee assignment for further consideration.
Currently, APRNs in Texas must practice under a written supervision agreement with a physician. Their scope of practice and prescriptive authority are defined in these written agreements. HB 2029 would do away with the need for a formal written agreement entirely. Instead, HB 2029 would allow APRNs, as part of their scope of practice, to:
Their prescriptive authority, to be set by Texas Board of Nursing rules, would be limited for schedule II controlled substances to certain practice settings and situations, such as hospitals and for the terminally ill. The APRN would now be accountable to patients and the board for the care they give.
HB 2029 is different than other recent large states’ efforts to grant independent practice. Recently, we’ve seen APRNs gain independence in California and Florida, but with substantial limitations to their scope of practice or their practice settings. Instead, HB 2029 would make Texas APRNs fully independent and would be a major step toward the national trend to reduce practice restrictions on APRNs and other advanced practitioners.
We will be monitoring HB 2029 as it advances though the Texas legislative process this year.
Currently, APRNs in Texas must practice under a written supervision agreement with a physician. Their scope of practice and prescriptive authority are defined in these written agreements. HB 2029 would do away with the need for a formal written agreement entirely. Instead, HB 2029 would allow APRNs, as part of their scope of practice, to:
Their prescriptive authority, to be set by Texas Board of Nursing rules, would be limited for schedule II controlled substances to certain practice settings and situations, such as hospitals and for the terminally ill. The APRN would now be accountable to patients and the board for the care they give.
HB 2029 is different than other recent large states’ efforts to grant independent practice. Recently, we’ve seen APRNs gain independence in California and Florida, but with substantial limitations to their scope of practice or their practice settings. Instead, HB 2029 would make Texas APRNs fully independent and would be a major step toward the national trend to reduce practice restrictions on APRNs and other advanced practitioners.
We will be monitoring HB 2029 as it advances though the Texas legislative process this year.
