Effective June 27, 2023, prescribers of controlled substances, including dentists, must complete eight hours of one-time training on safely prescribing controlled substances (Schedules II, III, IV, and/or V) in order to receive or renew their registration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

To help dentists comply, the ADA has created a Frequently Asked Questions document addressing common questions they have heard from members, including the following:

What Am I Required to Do?

At the time of your next scheduled DEA registration submission (but not before June 27, 2023), registrants must:

• Have completed eight hours of qualified training on safe controlled substance prescribing, with certificates of completion.
• Check a box on their registration submission affirming they have completed the training.
• Retain copies of all certificates of completion.

This applies regardless of whether a registrant is completing their initial registration application or renewing their registration. It also applies to all drug schedules (Schedules II, III, IV, and V).

Some important items to note:

• Certificates of completion are required, but formal continuing education credit is not.
• Qualified coursework completed before the law's passage is eligible.
• Qualified coursework completed in dental school is eligible for those less than five years out of dental school.

CE Options to Meet the Requirement

To meet the requirement, use a combination of any of the options below to complete a total of 8 CE hours.

PNDC 2023
Attend any of Dr. Thomas Viola's lectures on Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17 in Seattle.

See PNDC 2023 Courses
UW Continuing Dental Education

Attend courses offered virtually by Dr. Jason Goodchild and Dr. Mark Donaldson on Saturday, June 17 and Saturday, June 24.

See UW Courses
American Dental Association
Watch a series of 8 pre-recorded webinars offered by the ADA.

See ADA Webinars