Regulatory Requirements | 01.22.21
DEA Now Accepting Applications to Access Controlled Substances Act Registration Information Database
By Molly Giammarco, MPP
Effective Nov. 17, 2020, the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) discontinued its Controlled Substances Act (CSA) subscription service, which MSPs used to obtain active and retired Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registrations in real time. This controlled-substances check, an element within NAMSS’ Ideal Credentialing Standards, is a critical component of MSPs practitioner-credentialing process.
Information within the database is still available, directly through the DEA, which now manages the database and queries to access the database. Access is limited to entities that comply with the DEA’s Statutes and Rules, as well as other federal, state, and local, laws and ordinances. MSPs and hospital entities may still request access to the database but will now do so directly through the DEA. The DEA will approve applications on a case-by-case basis. All entities that had a CSA subscription must apply to regain access to the database via the DEA’s application process. To begin the application process, email DEA.CSARDA@usdoj.gov and request an application to access the database.
The DEA provides the following guidance for using the database. “A self-designed system, a system designed by your organization, will be necessary to efficiently use the downloaded text file due to its size and the amount of data contained within the file. Additionally, with the exception of DEA Registrants, an online search tool is not be available.”
The DEA also provides the following disclaimer:
“Be advised that unauthorized distribution, reverse engineering, re-engineering, profit from the sale, or the incorporation in a software system or package for distribution are not allowed uses of the dataset from the Controlled Substances Act Registration Information Database. Intentional misuse is subject to civil and/or criminal prosecution.”
Please also send any database-related questions to: DEA.CSARDA@usdoj.gov.
Please feel free to contact NAMSS with any questions.