According to the Controlled Substances Act, a practitioner is required to have a separate DEA registration for “each principal place of business or professional practice where controlled substances are manufactured, distributed, or dispensed.” We have put together a helpful guide to help physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers navigate the process, and included some helpful tips.

1. HOW TO APPLY FOR A
DEA REGISTRATION

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GETTING STARTED
• Go to http:///www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov
• On the right side of the page, click “New Applications”

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SELECTING THE RIGHT FORM
• Scroll to the bottom of the next page to the Select your Business Category and Business
Activity.
• In the Business Category section, choose Form 224
• In the Business Activity section:
• Choose PRACTITIONER if you are a Physician
• Choose MLP-NURSE PRACTITIONER if you are a Nurse Practitioner.
• Choose MLP-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT if you are a Physician Assistant.
• Then click “Begin”

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GENERAL INFORMATION
Enter the facility address where you will be
working. You cannot use a home address here.
You can use your home address as the Mailing
Address at the bottom of this page
For Business Phone and Business E-mail, you
may use your cell phone number and personal e-
mail address. This is where the DEA will contact
you regarding your application.
Tip: You may either choose to enter your
mailing address below this or elect to have it
sent directly to the facility by selecting the
“Check if same as business” box.
Enter your name with your professional title in
parenthesis.

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If you work under a business name enter your
Tax ID Number. Otherwise, enter your Social
Security Number
PERSONAL INFORMATION
If this is your second or third DEA, you may get
a message stating that another DEA is
registered under the SS# or TID#. Click Next,
the DEAs will be linked via the number.

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•
Check all drug schedules that you are requesting
Provide NPI Number,
Degree, Birthdate,
Graduation Year from
Medical/Professional
School, and the name of
the Medical/Professional
School that you attended
BUSINESS ACIVITIES/SCHEDULES

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STATE LICENSES
Enter the state license
information for the state in
which you are applying.
Some states require an additional
state controlled substance
registration. If you are applying for a
DEA in one of these states, you will
also be prompted to input your CSR
information as well.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
• On the Background Information page, you will need to answer four yes/no questions.
Answer honestly and explain any yes answers.

9. CREDIT CARD INFORMATION
Enter your credit card information, and click
next.
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FINISHING UP
• Your credit card payment will be processed for $731, and you will be asked to review the
application, e-sign at the bottom, and click submit.
• Make sure you save a copy of the receipt and the confirmation number so that you can track it
with the DEA office.
• Typically a DEA is applicable for 3 years but if this is your FIRST DEA, it may vary between a
minimum of 28 months or a maximum of 39 months. This all determined by the computer
system that issues the DEA registration number.
• DEA registrations typically process within 24-48 hours, but can take up to 2-4 weeks depending
on certain variables like whether this is your first DEA, there are any “yes” answers on the
background questions, or if the local DEA office is busy. You may call your local DEA office to
follow up as well.
• If your DEA has been issued and it is urgent that you get a copy right away instead of waiting
for the paper copy to get mailed, you may call the National Headquarters at 1-800-882-9539,
and ask that a copy be faxed to you. From that fax, you will be able to print a duplicate copy
from the DEA website.