DEA

The Drug Enforcement Administration registration is a federal license that authorizes healthcare providers to prescribe and dispense controlled substances, classified by schedules I through V.

The Drug Enforcement Administration registration is a requirement for any provider who prescribes, dispenses, or administers controlled substances. Your DEA number is verified during credentialing with every payer. DEA registration is issued at the federal level but is tied to your state license and your practice address. If you practice in multiple states, you need a separate DEA registration in each state. If you move to a new practice location within the same state, you need to update your DEA registration with the new address. There are different DEA schedules (I through V) that classify controlled substances by their potential for abuse. Your DEA registration specifies which schedules you are authorized to prescribe. Most physicians and dentists are registered for schedules II through V. Schedule I substances (like heroin and LSD) are generally only available for research purposes. During credentialing, payers verify your DEA registration directly with the DEA. They check that it is active, the schedules you are authorized for, and whether there have been any DEA actions against you. A suspended or revoked DEA registration is an adverse action that gets reported to the NPDB and will significantly impact your credentialing. DEA registrations need to be renewed every three years. The renewal fee varies depending on your provider type. Do not let your DEA registration lapse. An expired DEA is one of the most common causes of credentialing delays because it takes time to renew, and payers will not move forward with your application until it is current. Some provider types do not need DEA registration. Psychologists in most states, social workers, and certain allied health professionals who do not prescribe controlled substances do not need a DEA number. But if your scope of practice includes prescribing any controlled substance, you need it.