Home›MPJE›DEA Registration & Forms — MPJE Study Guide 2026
🏛️ DEA Registration & Forms — MPJE Guide — 2026

DEA Registration & Forms — MPJE Study Guide 2026

DEA registration, Form 222 ordering, biennial inventory, theft/loss reporting, CSOS, POA — everything tested on the MPJE about DEA regulations.

DEA Registration — MPJE Essentials

Every pharmacy and individual practitioner who handles controlled substances must be registered with the DEA. Understanding the registration process, required forms, and practitioner authority levels is essential for the MPJE.

DEA Registration Rules

  • Registration valid for 3 years — must be renewed before expiration (DEA Form 224a)
  • Separate registration per location — a chain pharmacy with 50 locations needs 50 DEA registrations
  • DEA number structure: 2 letters + 7 digits. First letter = registrant type (A/B = dispensers, F = distributors, M = mid-level practitioners). Second letter = first letter of registrant last name.
  • DEA number check digit: Add digits 1+3+5. Add digits 2+4+6 and multiply by 2. Sum totals. Last digit of sum = check digit (7th digit of DEA#).
  • Upon pharmacy closing: Return DEA registration, surrender unused DEA 222 forms, dispose of controlled substances per DEA guidance (reverse distributor or DEA-authorized destruction).

DEA Forms — Complete Reference

FormPurposeKey Details
DEA 222Order Schedule II controlled substancesTriplicate (or CSOS electronic). Max 10 items per form. POA may sign. Voided forms retained. Executed forms kept 2 years.
DEA 41Controlled substance inventoryBiennial (every 2 years). CII = exact count. CIII-CV = estimated count (exact if container opened). Record date, time, and whether opening/closing inventory.
DEA 106Theft or significant loss reportFile upon discovery. Also notify local DEA Diversion Field Office. Must include description of loss and substances involved.
DEA 224New DEA registrationFor new registrants (pharmacies, practitioners). Submit with fee. Processing takes several weeks.
DEA 224aDEA registration renewalSubmit before expiration. Must not dispense CS if registration has lapsed.
CSOSElectronic ordering for CII (replaces DEA 222)Controlled Substance Ordering System. Digital certificate required. Same regulatory requirements as paper DEA 222.

Power of Attorney (POA) for DEA 222

A registrant may authorize another individual to sign DEA 222 forms on their behalf through a Power of Attorney. The POA must be filed with the pharmacy's DEA records and is revocable at any time. The individual signing does NOT need their own DEA registration — they are acting under the registrant's authority.

Mid-Level Practitioner (MLP) Prescribing

Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other mid-level practitioners may prescribe controlled substances if authorized by their state AND registered with the DEA. Their DEA number begins with the letter M. The MPJE may test whether a specific MLP type can prescribe CS in a given state — always check your state's specific scope of practice laws.

Take Federal Law Quiz (Free) → DEA Flashcards
← Federal Law HubCS Law GuideRx Requirements →