Nurse holding IV bag and tubing.

Understanding Vermont’s IV Therapy Regulation: What Nurses Need to Know

Intravenous (IV) therapy is an essential component of modern healthcare, allowing direct administration of fluids, electrolytes, and medications into the bloodstream. However, IV therapy also involves specific legal and safety responsibilities that vary by state.

A joint statement issued by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) and multiple licensing boards clarifies who can prescribe, prepare, and administer IV therapy in Vermont — and outlines strict boundaries for nurses and other healthcare providers. Below, we’ll summarize key points from this guidance and explain how nurses, including LPNs/LVNs, can expand their IV therapy knowledge safely through continuing education.

Key Points from Vermont’s IV Therapy Requirements

1. IV Therapy Is the Practice of Medicine

The Vermont OPR guidance states that IV therapy, including IV hydration and the administration of compounded IV solutions, is considered part of the practice of medicine. This means that IV therapy may only be performed under the authority of a properly licensed prescriber.

2. Only Authorized Providers May Prescribe or Order IV Products

Only physicians (MDs, DOs), physician assistants (PAs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and naturopathic physicians with prescribing endorsement may prescribe IV fluids or additives. Even with a standing order, nurses may not independently order or initiate IV therapy unless it is directed by a valid prescription specific to a patient.

3. Compounding (Mixing IV Additives) Is Strictly Regulated

IV fluids, including normal saline, are considered prescription drugs. Mixing or adding ingredients (vitamins, electrolytes, medications) constitutes drug compounding. Only licensed providers with compounding authority may perform this task. LPNs, LNAs, estheticians, and unlicensed individuals are not permitted to compound or administer IVs under any circumstances.

4. Delegation and Oversight Limitations

A prescriber cannot delegate prescribing or compounding authority to an individual outside of their legal scope of practice. For example, a medical director cannot authorize an LPN to independently perform IV therapy if that role exceeds their license in that state.

5. Legal and Professional Consequences

Practicing outside one’s legal scope — such as administering IV fluids or additives without proper authority — may result in disciplinary action, civil penalties, or even criminal prosecution. The Vermont guidance particularly warns against “IV hydration” or “wellness clinics” that offer unsupervised or improperly prescribed IV infusions.

What This Means for Nurses and LVNs

The Vermont statement provides an important reminder for nurses everywhere: state regulations govern what you can and cannot do in IV therapy practice. Even if another facility or state allows certain IV procedures, your own state’s Board of Nursing and professional laws determine your limits.

For LPNs/LVNs, this often means IV therapy can only be performed:

  • After completing an approved IV therapy course
  • Under the supervision of a qualified provider
  • Within institutional policies that support safe IV administration

Competency, documentation, and education are essential for compliance and patient safety.

Expand Your IV Knowledge with Online Continuing Education

If you are an LVN or nurse who wants to build confidence and competence in IV therapy — while ensuring your education aligns with current standards — online IV courses provide an ideal pathway.

The Basics of Peripheral IV and Central Line Education Package from Pedagogy Education offers comprehensive, evidence-based instruction for nurses who want to expand their knowledge of IV therapy and vascular access care.

Course Highlights:

  • Combines two courses: Basics of Peripheral IV Therapy and Current Practices in Central Line Management
  • Provides 11.0 contact hours of CE credit
  • Includes printable certificate of completion upon passing the final exam
  • Contains skills check-off lists for supervised hands-on competency validation
  • Designed for RNs and LPNs/LVNs seeking to enhance IV therapy skills within their state’s legal scope

Benefits of Online IV Education:

  • Flexible learning — complete coursework at your own pace
  • Cost-effective — no travel or time away from work
  • Comprehensive content — current best practices and infusion standards
  • Immediate proof of completion — certificates and documentation ready for employers or state verification
  • Applicable across settings — hospitals, home health, long-term care, and correctional environments

This online course is a convenient, affordable way to meet IV education standards and strengthen your professional qualifications.

Final Thoughts

The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation’s IV therapy statement underscores how carefully IV practice is regulated — emphasizing patient safety, prescriber authority, and scope-of-practice boundaries.
Nurses play a vital role in infusion therapy but must do so within legal and professional parameters.

By investing in high-quality IV therapy education, such as Pedagogy Education’s online course package, nurses can safely expand their knowledge and readiness for advanced clinical practice.

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