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Do you prescribe opioids? Learn about a new DEA training requirement

Published Date
Author Providence Provider Update News Team

PROVIDENCE FAMILY OF ORGANIZATIONS  – A new federal requirement calls for Drug Enforcement Agency-registered practitioners to complete additional education on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders to renew their DEA registration.   

The requirement takes effect June 27, 2023. After that, most* DEA-registered physicians and providers must complete the one-time training, then at their next upcoming DEA registration, check the online form to affirm they have done so. This applies to first-time applications and renewals.  

What you need to do  

If you have not met this specific training requirement, the deadline to do so will be the date of your next scheduled DEA registration submission. The one-time, eight-hour training can be completed across multiple sessions.  

How practitioners can satisfy this new training requirement

Providence convened a multi-disciplinary workgroup – subject matter experts from the Providence Addiction Focus Group, PCN, Pharmacy and Education – to review training options and to provide a systemwide recommendation that meets DEA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration requirements.  

Based on their review, this free eight-hour online training option is recommended:  

Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS) 8 hour Online Buprenorphine Training   

This no-cost, online training platform features a self-paced design for ease of use.  

Alternative trainings with a focus on department-specific courses (e.g., OB, ED, Peds, etc.), are available here. 

More information 

  • *Exceptions to this requirement: Practitioners who are board certified in certain addiction medicine or psychiatry specialties, or those who have completed recent, similar education may not have to complete this training.  
  • CME that covers "prevention, recognition, and care of people with substance use disorders" counts toward the cumulative eight-hour requirement, even if completed before the Medication Access and Training Expansion Act was passed.  

You may also complete this requirement through a program offered by any accredited group, as specified in the DEA guidance. Some are offered at no cost.