What is the process for a new MD graduate to be able to write prescriptions?

[Haemulon]

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Just curious at what point in an MD's training does he/she obtain the authority to legitamitely write prescriptions? After graduation I would think, but still there is probably a process to go through to get registered or something? During internship, can one only write prescriptions within the hospital/clinic in which the program is run? Do you have to be board certified??I realize it may be a dumb question, but I never really thought about it until recently.

 

[strawberryfield]

Just curious at what point in an MD's training does he/she obtain the authority to legitamitely write prescriptions? After graduation I would think, but still there is probably a process to go through to get registered or something? During internship, can one only write prescriptions within the hospital/clinic in which the program is run? Do you have to be board certified??I realize it may be a dumb question, but I never really thought about it until recently.

For sure it's after grad, but you need a DEA number, so I'd imagine you have to register w/ them 1st, but I don't think being board certified is a requirement b/c there are quite a few docs that practice w/o being board certified cuz they still have a state license number, it's up to patients if they want to see a doc who is not board certified, and you know, it might depend on the state too. 😕

 

[ny skindoc]

Just curious at what point in an MD's training does he/she obtain the authority to legitamitely write prescriptions? After graduation I would think, but still there is probably a process to go through to get registered or something? During internship, can one only write prescriptions within the hospital/clinic in which the program is run? Do you have to be board certified??I realize it may be a dumb question, but I never really thought about it until recently.

In most states you need to have completed licensure requirements to write prescriptions outside of a residency training program. Graduation from med school is not enough.You dont have to be board cerified just licensed.

 

[Haemulon]

duplicate ... oooops

 

[Haemulon]

In most states you need to have completed licensure requirements to write prescriptions outside of a residency training program. Graduation from med school is not enough.You dont have to be board cerified just licensed.

Ah ok. that makes sense. Thanks for the info (both posts). I suspect that licensure requirement vary some depending on each state, but probably can only be met after residency? I know that even nurse practitioners can get a DEA number and write scrips, although i'm not sure if it is limited to only certain drugs or not.

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Ah ok. that makes sense. Thanks for the info (both posts). I suspect that licensure requirement vary some depending on each state, but probably can only be met after residency? I know that even nurse practitioners can get a DEA number and write scrips, although i'm not sure if it is limited to only certain drugs or not.

I don't know about all states, but you will probably be eligible for full licensure sometime during (not after) your residency, after the first (the old "intern") year. Once you are licensed, you can apply for your DEA number (and state number, if any). While you are still in residency, your scripts may still be countersigned by an attending. Whether or not you can "moonlight" outside residency and write scripts on your own signature depends on whether or not the residency program allows "moonlighting". If you don't plan to "moonlight" you can wait until after residency to apply for prescribing authority, and some residents choose to wait.

The circumstances under which other providers (nurse practitioner, physician assistant) can prescribe - and what medications they may prescribe - vary widely by state. Some states have a formulary, some states do not permit non-physicians to prescribe Schedule II, some states limit quantities and refills, others have no restrictions.

 

[mlle]

you can write prescription during residency, and that can include for your family, but I'm not sure what the source of your question is. If it's anything beyond pure curiosity, I would rethink writing prescriptions for shady reasons.

 

[Pancho Villa]

why...you tryin' to make some extra money on the side selling oxycontin scripts? 😀

but hey, i guess everyone has their own way of paying their loans off

 

[Gut Shot]

For residency one operates under the institutional license of whatever medical center he/she is training with. The DEA number is a generic one that applies to all the residents at that institution. After completing Step 3 of the boards one can/must apply for an independent license, at which point one can obtain a unique DEA number and write scripts with greater autonomy.