How does DEA list Washington?
DEA lists Washington under "One License Requirement" on its page "Medical State Licensure and/or Controlled Substance Licensure". DEA's page titles this column 'One License Requirement'.
Washington DEA registration and controlled substance licensing
DEA lists Washington under "One License Requirement" on its page "Medical State Licensure and/or Controlled Substance Licensure". A DEA registration depends on authority to dispense controlled substances under Washington law.
Facts
- DEA listing
- DEA lists Washington under: One License Requirement
- Note
- DEA's page titles this column 'One License Requirement'.
DEA: Medical State Licensure and/or Controlled Substance Licensure
Moving to or adding Washington
- Get the Washington license first.
- Then apply for or update the DEA registration for Washington. 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 Washington board.
In this state, in context
BLS OEWS May 2025 annual mean employee wages — physicians, all other: $293,760; nurse practitioners: $152,180; physician assistants: $164,430. The physician row is the broad “physicians, all other” category, not an average for all physicians or a particular specialty. These are employee wage estimates, not total compensation or contract rates.
Washington physicians, all other pay · Washington nurse practitioners pay · Washington physician assistants pay · Washington nurse anesthetists pay
Decision checklist for Washington
- Map the actual Washington 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 explains registration for practices in different states. The state listing is a flag to verify, not a complete description of an individual clinician’s authority.
Neighbors
1 of the 2 bordering states are listed with a second-CS-license flag: Idaho.
The count is the number of named qualifying neighbors out of all listed land/river neighbors. Open-water-only and point-only contacts are excluded; a neighboring status does not grant practice authority here.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate DEA registration for Washington?
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 Washington?
DEA treats NPs and PAs as mid-level practitioners, and their authority comes from state law. Check the Washington board.
How many neighbors of Washington are listed with a second-CS-license flag?
1 of the 2 bordering states are listed with a second-CS-license flag: Idaho.
Can the Washington wage links establish permission to practice?
No. The linked BLS state wage estimates describe employee wages, not licensing, compact privileges or prescribing authority. Confirm the Washington board’s requirements separately.