Who is authorized to prescribe medications in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, the authority to prescribe medications is granted specifically to licensed medical professionals, which includes physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. This regulatory framework is in place to ensure that medication prescriptions are managed by individuals who have completed the extensive education and training required to understand both the legal and medical implications of prescribing drugs.

Pharmacy technicians and assistants do not have the authority to prescribe medications. Their roles are focused on dispensing medication and supporting pharmacists rather than making clinical decisions. While having a bachelor's degree is valuable, it does not qualify an individual to prescribe medications unless they hold a specific medical license. Moreover, while physicians are indeed key prescribers, they are not the only professionals authorized to do so. This is why the correct answer highlights the group of licensed medical professionals rather than limiting it to a single type of provider.