Nurse Practitioner Authority to Sign Application for Temporary Involuntary Hospitalization

Released by the Department of Public Health
Division of Health Professions Licensure
Board of Registration in Nursing

To: Massachusetts Nursing and Professional Healthcare Organizations
From: Laurie Talarico, MS, RN, NP
Nursing Practice Coordinator
Re: Nurse Practitioner Authority to Sign MGL c. 123 s. 12(a) Application for Authorization of Temporary Involuntary Hospitalization

The Board of Registration in Nursing wishes to inform you that the Department of Mental Health, in consultation with the Board, has concluded that Nurse Practitioners are authorized under MGL c. 112, s. 80I, to sign the Application for Authorization of Temporary Involuntary Hospitalization form on behalf of patients whom they have examined within the scope of their practice as Nurse Practitioners. As a result, Part 3: Applicant Certification of the application form has been updated to now include "Nurse Practitioner.”

The revised form, frequently referred to as a "Section 12,” can be found at http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dmh/forms/form-aa-5.pdf