Rhode Island DEA registration and controlled substance licensing

Facts

DEA listing

DEA lists Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island licensing board before prescribing.

DEA: Medical State Licensure and/or Controlled Substance Licensure

Moving to or adding Rhode Island

• Get the Rhode Island license first.
• Then apply for or update the DEA registration for Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island board.

Decision checklist for Rhode Island

• Describe the proposed professional practice location and dispensing work in Rhode Island.
• Compare that location with the principal-place registration rule in 21 CFR 1301.12.
• Resolve the state authorization question independently of the federal registration application.

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

Find your state board (FSMB directory)

Neighbors

2 of the 2 bordering states are listed with a second-CS-license flag: Connecticut, Massachusetts.

• Connecticut — second-CS-license flag.
• Massachusetts — second-CS-license flag.

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: $236,360; nurse practitioners: $143,150; physician assistants: $146,630. “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.

Rhode Island physicians, all other pay · Rhode Island nurse practitioners pay · Rhode Island physician assistants pay

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.