An Act To Grant Supervisory Privileges to Qualified Independent Nurse Practitioners
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1598
Committee: Business, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: PINKHAM, SHERMAN, CUMMINGS, FINLEY, PINGREE
Amends: 32 MRSA §2102

Legislative Document 
No. 1598 
H.P.1120 
House of Representatives, March 21, 2007 
An Act To Grant Supervisory Privileges to Qualified Independent 
Nurse Practitioners 
Reference to the Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development suggested 
and ordered printed. 
Il/~ 
1I?7J?d£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative PINKHAM of Lexington Township. 
Cosponsored by Senator SHERMAN of Aroostook and 
Representatives: Speaker CUMMINGS of Portland, FINLEY of Skowhegan, PINGREE of 
North Haven. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §2102, sub-§2-A, as amended by PL 2003, c. 510, Pt. B, §10, 
is further amended to read: 
2-A. 
Advanced practice registered nursing. 
"Advanced practice registered 
nursing" means the delivery of expanded professional health care by an advanced practice 
registered nurse that is: 
B. 
Within the advanced practice registered nurse's scope of practice as specified by 
the board by rulemaking, taking into consideration any national standards that exist; 
and 
C. 
In accordance with the standards of practice for advanced practice registered 
nurses as specified by the board by rulemaking, taking into consideration any national 
standards that may exist. Advanced practice registered nursing includes consultation 
with or referral to medical and other health care providers when required by client 
health care needs. 
A certified nurse practitioner or a certified nurse midwife who qualifies as an advanced 
practice registered nurse may prescribe and dispense drugs or devices, or both, in 
accordance with rules adopted by the board. 
A certified nurse practitioner who qualifies as an advanced practice registered nurse must 
practice, for at least 24 months, under the supervision of a licensed physician or a 
qualified independent nurse practitioner or must be employed by a clinic or hospital that 
has a medical director who is a licensed physician. The certified nurse practitioner ffitt5t 
shall submit written evidence to the board upon completion of the required clinical 
experience. 
The board shall adopt rules necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter relating to 
advanced practice registered nursing. 
Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §2102, sub-§10 is enacted to read: 
10. Qualified independent nurse practitioner. A "qualified independent nurse 
practitioner" means a certified nurse practitioner who qualifies as an advanced practice 
registered nurse who has: 
A. Completed 24 months of supervised practice in accordance with subsection 2-A; 
B. Practiced as an advanced practice registered nurse for a minimum of 5 years; 
C. Been a registered nurse for a minimum of 10 years; 
D. Worked in the field of medicine for a minimum of 10 years; and 
E. Been approved by the board. 
The board shall adopt rules necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter relating to 
qualified independent nurse practitioners. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are 
routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
SUMMARY 
This bill authorizes qualified independent registered nurse practitioners to provide the 
supervision necessary for a certified nurse practitioner to qualifY to practice as an 
advanced practice registered nurse.