May 26, 2023

WSMA Member Question on New DEA Substance Use Disorder Training Requirement

Member question:

"I completed eight hours of training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid use disorder or substance use disorder. When do I need to notify the DEA?"

The WSMA policy department has received inquiries from members asking how to demonstrate that they have met the new one-time, eight-hour training requirement on the treatment and management of opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders as a condition of registration or renewal with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

The DEA has indicated that the deadline for satisfying this new training requirement is the date of a practitioner's next scheduled DEA registration submission on or after June 27, 2023, regardless of whether it is an initial registration or a renewal registration.

This means that health care professionals will indicate they have completed training upon renewal of their DEA license on or after June 27, 2023, whether that is later in 2023, 2024, or even 2025. Additionally, there are no documentation requirements; to confirm completion of this requirement, health care professionals will simply check a box during the renewal process.