District of Columbia DEA registration and controlled substance licensing

Facts

DEA listing

DEA lists District of Columbia under: Second CS License Requirement

Note

DEA's page titles this column 'Second CS License Requirement', which DEA's page presents as a state controlled substance license in addition to the medical license. Confirm the exact requirement with the District of Columbia licensing board before prescribing.

DEA: Medical State Licensure and/or Controlled Substance Licensure

Moving to or adding District of Columbia

• Get the District of Columbia license first.
• Then apply for or update the DEA registration for District of Columbia. Per the DEA Registration Q&A, a separate DEA registration is needed in each state where you practice and dispense controlled substances.
• DEA registration page

NPs and PAs

DEA treats NPs and PAs as mid-level practitioners. Authority comes from state law, so check the District of Columbia board.

Neighbors

1 of the 2 bordering states are listed with a second-CS-license flag: Maryland.

• Maryland — second-CS-license flag.
• Virginia — one-license flag.

In this state, in context

BLS OEWS May 2025 annual mean employee wages — physicians, all other: $154,040; nurse practitioners: $146,470; physician assistants: $146,230. “Physicians, all other” is a broad category, not all physicians or a specialty average. These are employee wage estimates, not total compensation or contract rates.

District of Columbia physicians, all other pay · District of Columbia nurse practitioners pay · District of Columbia physician assistants pay

Decision checklist for District of Columbia

• Identify each principal place of business or professional practice in District of Columbia where controlled substances are dispensed.
• Read 21 CFR 1301.12 for separate registration at each such place at one general physical location.
• Confirm state authorization separately; a DEA registration depends on authority under state law.

The DEA Registration Q&A separately addresses different-state practices; confirm individual state authority.

Find your state board (FSMB directory)

Sources

• DEA: Medical State Licensure and/or Controlled Substance Licensure
• DEA Diversion Control Division: Registration Q&A
• 21 CFR 1301.12 (Cornell LII)
• DEA: Registration

General information, not legal or insurance advice. Confirm details with the state board, DEA, or the carrier.