OK Attorney General issues formal Opinion regarding CRNAs and Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA)

The Oklahoma Attorney General issued an Official Opinion on Thursday April 23, 2026, related to Pain Management, 2026 OK AG 6. The opinion has the force and effect of law and is binding upon all Oklahoma agencies. Pursuant to the opinion: “CRNAs are not authorized to perform radiofrequency ablation because such procedures (i) fall outside the scope of practice authorized by the Nursing Act, and (ii) are not otherwise permitted by the Pain Management Act.”

In addition, recent legislative changes to the Oklahoma Interventional Pain Management Act (HB 4336) clarify that failure to comply with the provisions of that Act by CRNAs shall be considered unprofessional conduct under the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act. The changes also stipulate that any violation of that Act may be subject to the full range of penalties available under the Nursing Practice Act including but not limited to administrative fines or discipline up to revocation of a license.