Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioner Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners?
- What are the requirements for the Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners?
- What is a controlled (scheduled) drug/substance?
- What is the difference between the Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners and the federal DEA registration?
- What if I don’t have a practice site address?
- Can I apply for the DEA license while the Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners has been submitted and is waiting processing?
- Am I fee exempt for the Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners?
- What are the responsibilities regarding Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners?
- How long does it take to get the Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners?
- When does my Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners expire?
- How do I renew my Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners?
- What should I do with my Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners if I am no longer practicing in the State of Connecticut?
- Is there any situation where a practitioner would need more than one Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners?
- Can I expedite the application process to obtain a Connecticut Controlled Substances Registration?
- How do I change my address on the Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners?
Question 1: What is the Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners?
Answer: This is a registration issued by the State of Connecticut, which is required for every practitioner who distributes, administers or dispenses any controlled substance or who proposes to engage in the distributing, prescribing, administering or dispensing of any controlled substance within this state. NOTE: This registration is required for Residents and Interns of Medicine.
Answer:
1. The applicant must be a practitioner, as defined by the Department of Public Health, as a physician, dentist, veterinarian, podiatrist, osteopath, optometrist, physician assistant, licensed pursuant to section 20-12b, as amended, advanced practice registered nurse as defined in subsection (b) of section 20-87a, nurse-midwife, scientific investigator or other person licensed registered or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to or to administer a controlled substance in the course of professional practice or research in this state.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Scope of Practice
Physician Assistant (PA) Scope of Practice
2. The practitioner must be licensed or duly authorized to practice according to the appropriate state licensing board, commission or registration agency or, in the case of a hospital or other institution, by the appropriate state agency having jurisdiction over the licensure, registration or approval of such establishment.
3. The application is required to be completed and can be found at: http://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?a=1622&q=446726
4. In order to maintain the registration current and active, the registration is required to be renewed every two years and expires on February 28 of every odd year.
Question 3: What is a controlled (scheduled) drug/substance?
Answer: A controlled (scheduled) drug is one whose use and distribution is closely monitored because of its abuse potential or risk. Controlled drugs are categorized in order of their abuse risk and placed in "Schedules" by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Drugs with the highest abuse potential and no medical use are placed in Schedule I and those with the lowest abuse potential are in Schedule V. These schedules are commonly shown as C-I, C-II, C-III, C-IV, and C-V. Some examples of drugs in these Schedules are as follows:
Schedule I-drugs with a high abuse risk. These drugs have NO safe, accepted medical use in the United States. Some examples are heroin, LSD, Ecstasy, and mescaline.
Schedule II- drugs with a high abuse risk, but also have safe and accepted medical uses in the United States. These drugs can cause severe psychological and/or physical dependence. Schedule II drugs include certain narcotic, stimulant and depressant drugs. Some examples are morphine, cocaine, oxycodone (Percocet ®; Oxycontin®), hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Vicodin®), methylphenidate (Ritalin ®), and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine ®). No refills of Schedule II medications are permitted.
Schedule III, IV, or V- drugs with an abuse risk less than Schedule II. These drugs also have safe and accepted medical uses in the United States. Schedule III, IV, or V drugs include those containing smaller amounts of certain narcotic and non-narcotic drugs, anti-anxiety drugs, tranquilizers, sedatives, stimulants, and non-narcotic analgesics. Some examples are acetaminophen with codeine (Tylenol® No. 3), diazepam (Valium®), alprazolam (Xanax®) and zolpidem (Ambien®). A maximum of five refills are permitted for Schedule III, IV, and V medications.
Answer: The Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners is a state registration that allows the prescriber to order, administer and dispense controlled substances to patients. The number is practitioner specific and is required regardless of practice location. The DEA registration number is a Federal identification number. In the State of Connecticut, the DEA requires the practitioner to obtain the Controlled Substance for Practitioner Registration prior to obtaining a new DEA number with a Connecticut address or changing the address of a current DEA to a Connecticut address. Please see this website www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/ for more information about the DEA and to apply for a license.
Question 5: What if I don’t have a practice site address?
Answer: If at the time that you are completing your application you do not have a specific practice address you can use your home address. You are responsible to update the address on your credential once you have a practice location(s). The updated information must be sent to the Department of Consumer Protection email address, at DCP.LicenseServices@ct.gov, within thirty (30) days. The practice site address is important because it permits a practitioner to store, administer and dispense controlled substances at a specific location. The Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners is location specific.
Answer: Yes you can, however that may not necessarily expedite the process.
Question 7: Am I fee exempt for the Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners?
Answer: Practitioners who obtain this registration pursuant to the practitioner’s employment with a municipality, this state or the federal government shall not be required to pay the fee. If the practitioner works in a location secondary to the State or the federal government that is a private entity (i.e. moonlighting), they would no longer be fee exempt.
Answer:
The registrant must maintain effective controls against diversion of controlled substances into other than duly authorized legitimate medical, scientific, or commercial channels.
The registrant must only order, administer and dispense controlled substances for patients that they have a bona fide patient relationship with.
Compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations concerning controlled substances.
The practitioner must maintain his/her federal DEA registration in good standing.
The practitioner must, at the time of application, have and maintain a professional license or certificate.
Must keep records of medical evaluations of patients and all controlled substances dispensed, administered or prescribed to patients by the practitioner.
Answer: If you have an active registration with the Department of Public Health it take approximately 15 business days for the approval of this registration from the time that you can see it as PENDING on our website www.elicense.ct.gov. Your registration CANNOT be processed until you have an active registration with the Department of Public Health.
Answer: The Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners expires every two years on February 28th of odd numbered years. For the specific date of expiration please go to our website www.elicense.ct.gov and go to "Lookup a License".
Questions 11: How do I renew my Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners?
Answer: Renewal notices will be emailed and/or mailed approximately 30 – 45 days prior to February 28th with the necessary information to renew online or through the mail. Please keep your email and address information current with our office to receive correspondence.
Answer: Please notify the Department of Consumer Protection Drug Control Division at DCP.DrugPractitioners@ct.gov with the date that you intend to stop practicing in Connecticut.
Answer: Yes. A practitioner may be required to obtain more than one Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners if they order and receive controlled substances at multiple locations. For instance, if the practitioner is a medical director of multiple nursing homes with controlled substance emergency boxes, the practitioner would be required to obtain a Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners for each nursing home, which maintains a controlled substance emergency box. In addition, the same is true for practitioners who order and receive controlled substances into multiple office practice sites.
Answer: No. Controlled Substance Registrations will be processed on a first come first serve basis in order to be fair to all applicants. Please allow up to 15 business days for approval of your registration provided you have an active license with the Department of Public Health in the State of Connecticut. Please track the process of your application on our website, www.elicense.ct.gov, as you will not receive your hard copy registration in the mail for an additional 7-10 business days.
Answer: The fastest way to change your address for the Connecticut Controlled Substance Registration for Practitioners is to send an email to DCP.LicenseServices@ct.gov. Please be sure to include your registration number, old address, new address and phone number in the email to assist us in processing your request in a timely manner. In addition please specify if your practice address is different from your mailing address.