DEA Registration

DEA registration is the process by which healthcare practitioners, pharmacies, hospitals, and other facilities obtain authorization from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to manufacture, distribute, prescribe, or dispense controlled substances. Each registrant receives a unique DEA number that serves as both an identifier and a credential, enabling verification of prescribing authority for Schedule I through Schedule V substances.

A valid DEA number follows a specific format: it begins with a letter indicating the registrant type, followed by a letter from the registrant's last name, and then seven digits. The last digit is a checksum calculated from the preceding digits, which allows pharmacy systems and e-prescribing software to perform real-time validation of DEA numbers before processing controlled-substance prescriptions.

The registration process requires identity verification, background checks, and ongoing compliance with record-keeping and reporting requirements. Registrants must maintain accurate inventories of controlled substances, report theft or significant losses, and comply with security requirements for storing and handling these medications. DEA registration must be renewed periodically and can be revoked for violations of the Controlled Substances Act.

Electronic prescribing systems integrate DEA registration verification as part of the prescribing workflow. When a practitioner initiates a controlled-substance prescription, the system validates the DEA number, checks the prescriber's authority for the specific drug schedule, and ensures that all EPCS requirements are met before the prescription is signed and transmitted.