Section 1400.250  Prescribing Authority

a)         A prescribing psychologist may only prescribe medication pursuant to the provisions of the Act and this Part if the prescribing psychologist:

1)         Continues to hold a current license to practice psychology in Illinois.

2)         Completes the required continuing education annually in accordance with this Part.

3)         Maintains a written collaborative agreement in accordance with Section 4.3 of the Act and Section 1400.240 of this Part. (Section 4.2 of the Act)

b)         The following may not be included in any written delegation of prescriptive authority by a collaborating physician:

1)         Patients who are less than 17 years of age or patients who are over 65 years of age.  If a patient is 65 years of age, the prescribing psychologist shall begin transferring care to a physician at least 3 months prior to the patient's 66^th birthday to ensure continuity of care.

2)         Patients during pregnancy who have disclosed they are pregnant, or who the prescribing psychologist discovers are pregnant.

3)         Patients who have disclosed serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, stroke or acute seizures and patients with developmental and intellectual disabilities.  If there is a question regarding whether a patient has disclosed any of the aforementioned medical conditions that should be considered serious and thus prevent the prescribing psychologist from prescribing medication, the prescribing psychologist should consult with the patient's treating physician or the collaborating physician who will determine whether the patient's condition should be considered a serious medical condition under this Section.

4)         Prescriptive authority for benzodiazepine Schedule III controlled substances. (Section 4.3(b) of the Act)

5)         Prescriptive authority for any controlled substance to be delivered by injection.

6)         Prescriptive authority for any Schedule II substance.

7)         Prescriptive authority for any narcotic drug as defined by Section 102 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. (Section 4.3(d) of the Act)

c)         Any prescribing psychologist who writes a prescription for a controlled substance without having valid and appropriate authority may be fined by the Department not more than $50 per prescription and the Department may take any other disciplinary action provided for in the Act that is reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances. (Section 4.3(d) of the Act)

d)         All prescriptions written and signed by a prescribing psychologist shall indicate the name of the collaborating physician.  The collaborating physician's signature is not required.  The prescribing psychologist shall sign his/her own name.