What it should contain
- The prescriber's name, credential and signature, with a date.
- The treatment authorized: product, area, dose range or limits.
- The patient or the criteria that define eligible patients (for a standing order).
- Any conditions, such as required screening or when to call the prescriber.
How it fits with the good-faith exam
The good-faith exam is the prescriber's clinical decision that treatment is appropriate for this patient. The order is the written authorization that follows from it. A practice should be able to show both, in sequence, for every treatment.
Who may issue one
A qualified prescriber acting within their own scope: a physician, a nurse practitioner, or a physician assistant within their supervisory arrangement. An RN can carry out a delegated treatment under an order but cannot issue one. See delegated medical acts.
Requirements come from the Board's current advisory opinion and rules. Check the version on azbn.gov and ask an Arizona healthcare attorney how it applies to your model.
What a usable order contains
A usable order identifies the patient or protocol, the treatment, the product and dose limits, the prescriber and the date. It should be legible, retrievable and consistent with the exam the prescriber performed.
Common mistakes
- Verbal-only orders with nothing in the chart.
- An order that does not match the treatment performed.
- Orders that are never updated after a protocol changes.
Frequently asked
Is a standing order the same as a written provider order?
A standing order is a type of written order that applies to defined circumstances rather than one named patient. Both must come from a qualified prescriber and be documented.
Can an order be verbal?
For aesthetic treatments, the guidance practices rely on emphasizes written orders. Check the Board's current opinion and your policies before relying on anything verbal.
Educational information only, not legal or clinical advice. Rules and Board positions change, so confirm current requirements with the relevant Arizona licensing board and an Arizona healthcare attorney.