Effective October 1, 2026, amendments to the federal Controlled Substances Regulations (CSR) remove federal prescribing restrictions applicable to Nurse Practitioners (NPs).
Saskatchewan NPs may prescribe controlled drugs and substances within their legislated scope of practice and in accordance with CRNS bylaws, entry-level competencies, practice standards and applicable provincial legislation.
NPs will continue to:
- Practice within their scope of practice (Council Policy 2.7 Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice), individual competence and employer policies when prescribing controlled drugs and substances.
- Comply with CRNS RN & NP Entry-Level Competencies, RN & NP Practice Standards and Code of Conduct when prescribing controlled drugs and substances.
- Require CRNS approval to prescribe for Opioid Use Disorder drug therapeutics.
The CRNS Prescribing Controlled Drugs & Substances for Nurse Practitionersresource has been updated to include the new CSR.
If you have questions, please contact a CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisor by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca or by phone at 1.800.667.9945.