Nurse Practitioners (NPs) have authority under the Nursing Act, 1991 to prescribe controlled substances.

Ontario NP programs have integrated controlled substances education within their curriculum. The education covers competencies related to safe, effective and ethical prescribing, and managing clients who are treated with controlled substances.

NPs who did not have controlled substances competencies in their entry-level NP Program are required to complete Council-approved controlled substances courses in order to be authorized to prescribe controlled substances.

If an NP has not completed the required education, their profile on Find a Nurse will state: “Entitled to practice. Cannot prescribe controlled substances until specialized education is completed.”

CNO Resources

• Approved controlled substances education for Nurse Practitioners
• Regulations and by-laws for NPs Prescribing Controlled Substances
• Controlled substances Education Requirement FAQs
• NP practice standard

Government Resources

The purpose of this page is to support safe nursing practice through sharing evidence-informed resources to inform clinical decision-making and ensure patients receive safe, effective and ethical care.

When determining what sources of information are most appropriate to inform your nursing practice, use your clinical judgment to assess the individual care needs of each patient, the appropriateness of the nursing practice and the practice environment you are working in.

• Canadian Joint Statement of Action to Address the Opioid Crisis
• Ontario opioid strategy

ConnexOntario Drug and Alcohol Helpline

To find a withdrawal management centre in your community, call 1 866 531-2600.

Opioid Substitution Therapies Drug Information Line

Call 1 888 519-6069. Phone line is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. hours to 5 p.m.

Government Of Canada – Health Canada

• Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and regulations
• Canadian drugs and substances strategy
• COVID-19 and substance use toolkit
• Methadone program
• Office of Controlled Substances: Contact Information
• Opioids - Services and information
• Responding to Canada's opioid overdose crisis

Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM)

• COVID-19 Pandemic – National Rapid Guidance
• National Injectable Opioid Agonist Treatment Guideline
• National Opioid Use Disorder Guideline

Health Quality Ontario

• Opioid Prescribing for Acute Pain
• Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain
• Opioid Use Disorder (Opioid Addiction)

Ontario Ministry of Health

• Narcotics Safety and Awareness Act, 2010
• Narcotics Monitoring System