Utah DEA registration and controlled substance licensing

DEA lists Utah 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 Utah law.

Facts

DEA listing
DEA lists Utah 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 Utah licensing board before prescribing.

DEA: Medical State Licensure and/or Controlled Substance Licensure

Moving to or adding Utah

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

In this state, in context

BLS OEWS May 2025 annual mean employee wages — physicians, all other: $240,190; nurse practitioners: $137,060; physician assistants: $132,530. “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.

Utah physicians, all other pay · Utah nurse practitioners pay · Utah physician assistants pay · Utah nurse anesthetists pay

Decision checklist for Utah

  • Map the actual Utah dispensing locations before asking about registration.
  • Check the separate-location rule in 21 CFR 1301.12 rather than assuming a registration follows you everywhere.
  • Ask the state board to confirm authority to dispense; federal registration does not replace that review.

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

Find your state board (FSMB directory)

Neighbors

3 of the 5 bordering states are listed with a second-CS-license flag: Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming.

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

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 Utah?

DEA lists Utah 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 Utah licensing board before prescribing.

Do I need a separate DEA registration for Utah?

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 Utah?

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

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

3 of the 5 bordering states are listed with a second-CS-license flag: Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming.

Can the Utah wage links establish permission to practice?

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