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To get a furnishing license in California, an NP needs 520 hours of physician supervision in prescribing medicines. What is the definition of supervision? Does the physician have to be on-site at all times? Does he have to review/sign off on each record on which a prescription has been written during the 520 hours? Please provide details about the circumstances which must occur to meet the 520 hours criteria.
As of this writing, Senate Bill 1524 has passed both houses of the California Legislature and is awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown's signature. This measure would eliminate the supervision requirement. If the governor does sign the bill into law, it will take effect in January, 2013. In the meantime, supervision means that the physician has to sign off all of the prescription drugs and devices that you furnish during that time. It would mean that physcian is on-site during this period as you do not have the furnishing number to legally provide this service. Through the standardized procedure you develop with your collaborating physician, you can see patients independently during this time if it does not involve furnishing. The BRN reference to supervision is vague and non-specific, but the caveat is that you can't legally furnish without the furnishing number.
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