How to obtain a DEA license: Application, fees, and renewal guide
July 20, 2026
What is DEA registration, and why is it required?
Obtaining DEA registration allows healthcare providers to prescribe or administer controlled substances to patients. To obtain a license, providers must first apply and undergo screening by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Because controlled substances have a higher rate of misuse, DEA registration ensures physicians and other healthcare providers understand and comply with federal laws concerning these substances.
Who needs to obtain a DEA license?
Every healthcare provider who administers, prescribes, or dispenses any controlled substance must be registered with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
As a resident working within your program, you are covered under the registration of your training hospital or institution. When you complete your training, you must obtain your own individual DEA license. You will also need your own registration if you plan to moonlight outside of your program while still a resident.
Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other mid-level practitioners who are authorized by their state to prescribe controlled substances also need their own DEA registration.
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How to apply for a DEA license: Step-by-step
To apply online, go to www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov. When applying, make a note of the control number. Usually, after one business day, you can go online (click "Check the Status of My Application") to edit your application or check whether it has been approved, issued, or renewed. You can also call 800.882.9539 to verify your application status.
First-time applicants should expect the full approval process to take four to six weeks from submission.
To check the status of your DEA application, you will need:
The control number
Your Social Security number
Your date of birth
The zip code for the facility where you have the application
When you first apply for a DEA license, you must hold an active license in the state where you are going to practice. If the state requires its own controlled substance permit (about half of them do), you must also obtain this or apply for it before seeking federal DEA registration or renewal.
The current registration fee is $888 for a three-year term. Payment is made online by credit or debit card and must be submitted with your application. The DEA will not process your application until payment is received.
MATE Act training requirement
As of June 27, 2023, all practitioners applying for a new DEA registration or renewing an existing one must attest to completing eight hours of accredited training on opioid and substance use disorder treatment. This is a one-time requirement; you attest to it on your Form 224 or Form 224a at your first applicable registration after that date.
You may be exempt if you: (1) hold a board certification in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, or (2) graduated from a U.S. medical, PA, or advanced practice nursing school within five years of June 27, 2023, and completed a qualifying curriculum.
Keep documentation of your completed training. You won't need to submit it to the DEA, but you should have it available for your records
How do I renew my DEA registration?
Your DEA license is valid for three years. Plan to start your renewal 45 – 90 days before your registration expires, but don't wait for the letter to arrive. Renewal letters cannot be forwarded if you've moved, and processing takes time.
You will need your DEA number, last name, Social Security number, current zip code, and the expiration date listed on the DEA license you are updating.
Note that the post office cannot forward your DEA renewal letter to a different address if you move. If you applied for an individual DEA registration while you were an intern or resident, the renewal letter will be sent to the address you used on the registration application. Don’t forget to inform the DEA of any move after completing your training program.
When you receive your renewal letter, make sure you complete the DEA renewal online. Remember that it takes four to six weeks (online) and eight to twelve weeks (by mail)—sometimes more—for the DEA to process your renewal. If your registration lapses before your renewal is processed, there is a 30-day grace period following the expiration date. If it expires before you receive your renewal, you may not administer, dispense, or prescribe controlled substances in the meantime.
Make sure that you submit the exact dollar amount required for the application fee. If you fail to send the right amount, the DEA will return your renewal packet unprocessed.
For more information on new applications and renewals, visit the Diversion Control Division website.
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What do I need to do once my registration is completed?
Once your DEA registration has been issued, it is your responsibility to keep your DEA information up to date with your current license and Controlled Substance Permit (CSP) information (if applicable).
To verify the information on file, you can go to the “registration validation” link online. To view the information, you’ll need your DEA number, Social Security number, and the expiration date of your DEA registration.
Whenever you move, you must submit a change of address to the DEA. This can be done either by calling the DEA at 800.882.9539 and following the steps outlined in the menu for address changes, or online by clicking on “Make Changes to My DEA Registration” on the homepage. Failure to keep your information up to date could result in termination of your DEA registration.
If you would like a copy of your DEA license, go to the "Duplicate Certificate Request" link to print a copy of your certificate.
DEA registration for locum tenens physicians
If you plan to work locum tenens assignments in multiple states, DEA registration gets more complex.
A separate DEA registration is required for each state where you administer, dispense, or prescribe controlled substances. Your home-state DEA registration does not automatically extend to other states.
There are two limited exceptions worth knowing:
If you work solely within a hospital or clinic setting, you may be able to use the facility's DEA registration rather than obtaining your own for that state. Confirm this with the facility before your assignment.
If you are only prescribing (not administering or dispensing) at multiple locations within the same state, you do not need a separate registration for each location.
Because locum tenens physicians often move frequently between states, managing DEA registrations across multiple states is one of the more administratively complex parts of a locum tenens career. Many physicians work with a staffing agency that coordinates credentialing and licensing logistics across assignments.
If you're building credentials for locum tenens work, it's worth noting that a staffing agency can often handle DEA coordination, state licensing, and credentialing paperwork across assignments, significantly reducing the administrative burden.
For further information on the DEA's locum tenens policy, please visit the DEA website.
Frequently asked questions about DEA registration
Q: How much does a DEA license cost?
A: The current DEA registration fee is $888 for a three-year period. This applies to both new applications (Form 224) and renewals (Form 224a) for physicians, NPs, PAs, and other practitioners. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid at the time of application.
Q: What is the MATE Act, and how does it affect my DEA registration?
A: The Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, effective June 27, 2023, requires all DEA registrants to attest to completing eight hours of accredited training on opioid and substance use disorder treatment at their first new application or renewal after that date. It's a one-time attestation made on your Form 224 or Form 224a.
Q: How long does it take to get a DEA license?
A: Online applications typically take four to six weeks to process. Mail applications take eight to twelve weeks. Start the process at least 45 – 90 days before you need your registration to be active to avoid any prescribing gap.
Q: Do I need a separate DEA number for each state I work in?
A: Yes, if you administer, dispense, or prescribe controlled substances in multiple states. Each state requires its own DEA registration. This is particularly relevant for locum tenens physicians practicing across state lines.
Q: What happens if my DEA registration expires?
A: There is a 30-day grace period if your renewal is in process at expiration. If your registration expires without a pending renewal, you cannot legally administer, dispense, or prescribe controlled substances until it is reinstated.
Q: What is the difference between DEA Form 224 and Form 224a?
A: Form 224 is for new DEA registrations. Form 224a is for renewals. Both are completed online through the DEA Diversion Control Division portal at deadiversion.usdoj.gov.
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The article was last updated on February 1, 2024.