Policies
Pharmacist Prescribing of Hormonal Contraception
Our interactive map depicts states with pharmacist prescribing of hormonal contraception via statewide protocol, standing order, or collaborative practice agreement. Hover over any state to view policy details. Updated January 31, 2025.
Summary of State Policies
| State Arizona | Available 2023 | Authority By Standing Order | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring | Age Restriction 18 and older |
| State Arkansas | Available 2022 | Authority By Statewide Protocol | Methods Pill | Age Restriction 18 and older |
| State California | Available 2016 | Authority By Statewide Protocol | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction All ages |
| State Colorado | Available 2017 | Authority By Statewide Protocol | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction 18 and older |
| State Connecticut | Available 2024 | Authority By Prescriptive Authority | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction 18 and older (<18 with prior prescription) |
| State Delaware | Available 2024 | Authority By Standing Order | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot, Nonhormonal | Age Restriction All ages |
| State Hawaii | Available 2018 | Authority By Prescriptive Authority | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring | Age Restriction All ages |
| State Idaho | Available 2019 | Authority By Prescriptive Authority | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction All ages |
| State Illinois | Available 2023 | Authority By Standing Order | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction All ages |
| State Indiana | Available 2023 | Authority By Standing Order | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction 18 and older |
| State Maine | Available 2025 | Authority By Prescriptive Authority | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction All ages |
| State Maryland | Available 2019 | Authority By Statewide Protocol | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction All ages |
| State Massachusetts | Available 2023 | Authority By Prescriptive Authority | Methods Pill, Patch | Age Restriction All ages |
| State Minnesota | Available 2020 | Authority By Statewide Protocol | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring | Age Restriction 18 and older (<18 with prior prescription) |
| State Nevada | Available 2021 | Authority By Statewide Protocol | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction All ages |
| State New Hampshire | Available 2022 | Authority By Statewide Protocol | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction All ages |
| State New Jersey | Available 2024 | Authority By Standing Order | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction All ages |
| State New Mexico | Available 2018 | Authority By Statewide Protocol | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot, Nonhormonal | Age Restriction All ages |
| State New York | Available 2024 | Authority By Standing Order | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring | Age Restriction All ages |
| State North Carolina | Available 2022 | Authority By Statewide Protocol | Methods Pill, Patch | Age Restriction 18 and older (<18 with parent/legal guardian consent) |
| State Oregon | Available 2016 | Authority By Statewide Protocol | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction All ages |
| State Tennessee | Available 2019 | Authority By Prescriptive Authority | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction 18 and older (<18 if emancipated minor) |
| State Utah | Available 2019 | Authority By Standing Order | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring | Age Restriction 18 and older |
| State Vermont | Available 2021 | Authority By Statewide Protocol | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring | Age Restriction All ages |
| State Virginia | Available 2021 | Authority By Statewide Protocol | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot | Age Restriction 18 and older |
| State West Virginia | Available 2020 | Authority By Standing Order | Methods Pill, Patch, Ring | Age Restriction 18 and older |
Others Offering via General Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA): Kentucky (pursuant to an Individual protocol signed by a prescriber for norgestrel 0.75mg only) Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina (pursuant to an Individual standing order by a prescriber), South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin
Others with Statewide Protocols or Standing Orders in Progress: Michigan, Rhode Island, Washington D.C.
This table reflects states that have implemented their policies for pharmacist prescribing of hormonal contraception, as well as those that have passed legislation and implementation is in progress. Updated January 31, 2025.
Is birth control available over the Counter?
We'd like to clear up the differences between over-the-counter (OTC) access and pharmacist prescribing (also known as "pharmacy access").
| Pharmacist Prescribing | Over the Counter (OTC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Approval | Pharmacist Prescribing State law or regulation | Over the Counter (OTC) FDA |
| Methods | Pharmacist Prescribing Pill, patch, ring, shot, emergency contraception | Over the Counter (OTC) Condoms, spermicides, emergency contraception, Opill® |
| Availability | Pharmacist Prescribing Participating pharmacies in selected states | Over the Counter (OTC) Pharmacies, other stores, online |
| Prescription | Pharmacist Prescribing Prescribed by a pharmacist after reviewing your health history and measuring your blood pressure | Over the Counter (OTC) No prescription required |
| Doctor Visit | Pharmacist Prescribing No visit or physical exam required | Over the Counter (OTC) No visit or physical exam required |
| Age Restriction | Pharmacist Prescribing Depends on state | Over the Counter (OTC) None |
| Birth Control Costs | Pharmacist Prescribing Covered by insurance | Over the Counter (OTC) Depends on state and insurance; may require a prescription for coverage |
| Visit Costs | Pharmacist Prescribing Depends on state and insurance; may cost up to $70 without coverage | Over the Counter (OTC) None |
| Time | Pharmacist Prescribing 5 - 20 minutes for visit | Over the Counter (OTC) Less than 5 minutes for purchase |
Policy Landscape Report
Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception
