Prescribing CDS for Nurse Practitioners

The College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) grants authorization for nurse practitioners (NP) and graduate nurse practitioners (GNP) to prescribe controlled drugs and substances (CDS) in compliance with the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and in accordance with the New Classes of Practitioners Regulations. 

NPs must complete coursework to prescribe CDS in Alberta.

Alberta NP Graduates 

All graduates from an approved entry-level NP program in Alberta must meet the requirements to prescribe CDS. Programs in Alberta include a course CDS prescribing and jurisprudence education relevant to Alberta, and recent graduates will already meet the first course requirement for registration and will only need to complete the second course.

NP Applicants from Other Jurisdictions  

New NP applicants educated outside of Alberta must meet both CDS requirements.

Requirements

1. Complete a CDS prescribing education course 

If your NP education did not include CDS education, complete only one of the following courses to meet the CDS requirement:  

• • Prescription and management of controlled drugs and substances from Athabasca University
  • CDSA module (PHAR-1604) from Saskatchewan Polytechnic
  • Prescribing narcotics and controlled substances from the University of Ottawa/Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing

Once the course is completed, email the course completion certificate to the CRNA. 

2. Complete the CDS Jurisprudence course to meet the CDS jurisprudence requirement 

In general, the CDS requirements must be met prior to the approval of an NP or GNP practice permit. It is an expectation that all NPs complete this free CDS education, regardless of prescribing practice.