Final answer:
Non-practitioners who are allowed to prescribe medication under a practitioner's protocol include advanced practice nurses and physician assistants, with regulations varying by state. Psychologists may also prescribe in certain states if they have additional training and certification.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of American healthcare, non-practitioners who may be allowed to prescribe medication under a protocol with a practitioner typically include certain advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Both nurse practitioners and physician assistants can prescribe medications, including controlled substances, in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician, depending on the state law. Prescriptive authority varies by state, and some states have specific prescription protocols that define the extent of this authority and the conditions for collaborative practice.
In some circumstances, other professionals such as psychologists may gain the ability to prescribe medications after obtaining additional training and certification. This is less common and is only permissible in a few states, like New Mexico and Louisiana, as recognized by the American Psychological Association in 2004 when Louisiana became the first state to grant prescribing rights to psychologists who undergo specialized training. It's important to check the current laws of the state in question for up-to-date regulations as they can change over time.