Hawaii DEA registration and controlled substance licensing

DEA lists Hawaii under "Second CS License Requirement" on its page "Medical State Licensure and/or Controlled Substance Licensure". A DEA registration depends on authority to dispense controlled substances under Hawaii law.

Facts

DEA listing: DEA lists Hawaii 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 Hawaii licensing board before prescribing.

DEA: Medical State Licensure and/or Controlled Substance Licensure

Moving to or adding Hawaii

Get the Hawaii license first.
Then apply for or update the DEA registration for Hawaii. 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 Hawaii board.

Neighbors

Hawaii has no bordering U.S. states or District of Columbia land/river neighbors; there is no bordering-state denominator.

Count named qualifying land/river neighbors; exclude water-only and corner-only contacts. Neighbor status grants no practice authority.

In this state, in context

BLS OEWS May 2025 annual mean employee wages — physicians, all other: $326,890; nurse practitioners: $142,910; physician assistants: $146,780. “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.

Hawaii physicians, all other pay · Hawaii nurse practitioners pay · Hawaii physician assistants pay

Decision checklist for Hawaii

Identify each principal place of business or professional practice in Hawaii 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

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

Frequently asked questions

How does DEA list Hawaii?

DEA lists Hawaii under "Second CS License Requirement" on its page "Medical State Licensure and/or Controlled Substance Licensure". 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 Hawaii licensing board before prescribing.

Do I need a separate DEA registration for Hawaii?

According to the DEA Registration Q&A, a practitioner with practices in two states needs a separate DEA registration in each state, because controlled substance privileges and limits are determined by that state.

Can NPs and PAs prescribe controlled substances in Hawaii?

DEA treats NPs and PAs as mid-level practitioners, and their authority comes from state law. Check the Hawaii board.

How many neighbors of Hawaii are listed with a second-CS-license flag?

Hawaii has no bordering U.S. states or District of Columbia land/river neighbors; there is no bordering-state denominator.

Can the Hawaii wage links establish permission to practice?

No. BLS employee wages establish no prescribing authority; confirm the Hawaii board’s requirements.

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