Finding a Collaborating Physician in Illinois
The regulatory landscape for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) can be difficult to understand. However, Zivian handles all the challenges of finding a collaborating physician so that you can focus on providing care. If you are an NP trying to find a collaborating physician in Illinois, we’ve got you covered.
The state of Illinois requires nurse practitioners to collaborate with a physician. Illinois is classified as a Reduced Practice Authority state.
In this post, we break down state regulations and key considerations to establish a meaningful collaboration with a physician in the Prairie State.
Note: State regulations and requirements are subject to change. Always check with your state medical or nursing board to confirm the most up-to-date information.
What is the Practice Environment for NPs in Illinois?
In which category does the state fall: NP independent practice, transition to independence, or collaboration required?
Nurse practitioners are required to have a collaborating physician, with a transition to independence. Independent practice authority is given to NPs that have completed at least 250 hours of continuing education or training and at least 4,000 hours of clinical experience after first attaining national certification.
Delegation Authority and Process
Is an agreement required?
Yes, a written collaborative agreement is required for APRNs prior to the transition to independence, except for APRNs who are privileged to practice in a hospital, hospital affiliate, or ambulatory surgical treatment center.
What form of agreement is required and what are the requirements for the substance of the agreement?
There are multiple required components of an Illinois collaboration agreement. To learn more, contact us today!
Where must the agreement be stored?
No restriction, but must be made available to the state upon request.
Does the agreement need to be filed with the state?
No, but must be made available to the state upon request.
Are there requirements to file the agreement after the initial filing (e.g., for updates or on a specified frequency)?
No, but see below for requirements for delegating prescriptive authority.
Who must sign the agreement?
There is no explicit requirement.
How often must the agreement be reviewed / reauthorized?
No restriction.
What are the qualifications for the collaborating provider (licensure, same scope, active practice in state, etc.)?
The collaborating provider must be a physician, podiatrist, or dentist. Podiatry and dentist collaborators have additional requirements set forth in 225 ILCS 65/65-35.
What are the required qualifications for the NP?
See licensure requirements in 225 ILCS 65/65-5.
Is an alternate collaborating physician required?
No, an alternate collaborating physician is not required.
Collaboration Requirements
Are there ratios / limits on the number of NPs that a collaborator may supervise or enter into collaboration agreements?
No restriction.
Is there an express requirement to review a certain number / percentage of charts?
No restriction.
Is there a requirement to meet and, if so, how often and how?
Remote supervision is permitted and on-site supervision is not necessarily required for any amount of time. But, the supervision will be “deemed adequate” if the physician visits on site at least once a month to provide medical direction and consultation and is available through telecommunications for consultation on medical problems, complications, or emergencies or patient referral.
Are there proximity requirements (e.g., between the NP / collaborator or practice site)?
No restriction.
Are there location-specific requirements (e.g., that collaborator must go to practice site at some frequency)?
No restriction.
Is remote supervision allowed / are there limitations on remote supervision?
No restriction.
Physician and NP Filing Requirements
Outside of filing the collaboration agreement, must the physician and / or NP file any separate forms?
The collaborating physician shall file with the Department and the Prescription Monitoring Program notice of delegation of prescriptive authority and termination of such delegation, in accordance with rules of the Department. Upon receipt of this notice delegating authority to prescribe any Schedule III through V controlled substances, the licensed APRN shall be eligible to register for a mid-level practitioner controlled substance license under Section 303.05 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act
Prescription Requirements and Controlled Substance Prescribing
What are the prescription requirements?
The collaborating physician must delegate prescribing authority to the APRN in the collaboration agreement. The delegation must be within the collaborating physician’s scope of practice and within the scope of the APRN’s training.
What are the requirements for controlled substance prescribing?
To prescribe controlled substances under, an APRN must obtain a mid-level practitioner controlled substance license. Medication orders shall be reviewed periodically by the collaborating physician.
A collaborating physician may, but is not required to, delegate authority to an advanced practice registered nurse to prescribe any Schedule II controlled substances, if all of the following conditions apply:
Specific Schedule II controlled substances by oral dosage or topical or transdermal application may be delegated, provided that the delegated Schedule II controlled substances are routinely prescribed by the collaborating physician. This delegation must identify the specific Schedule II controlled substances by either brand name or generic name. Schedule II controlled substances to be delivered by injection or other route of administration may not be delegated.
Any delegation must be controlled substances that the collaborating physician prescribes.
Any prescription must be limited to no more than a 30-day supply, with any continuation authorized only after prior approval of the collaborating physician.
The APRN must discuss the condition of any patients for whom a controlled substance is prescribed monthly with the delegating physician.
The APRN meets the education requirements of Section 303.05 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.
Sources
225 Ill. Comp. Stat. 65/65-5.
225 Ill. Comp. Stat. 65/65-35
225 Ill. Comp. Stat. 65/65-43.
225 Ill. Comp. Stat. 65/65-40.
68 Ill. Adm. Code 1285.335.
68 Ill. Adm. Code 1300.410.
