Cross State Licensing

Veterans Benefits

Notwithstanding any provision of law regarding the licensure of health care professionals, a covered health care professional may practice the health care profession of the health care professional at any location in any State, regardless of where the covered health care professional or the patient is located, if the covered health care professional is using telemedicine to provide treatment to an individual under this chapter.

For purposes of this section, a covered health care professional is any of the following individuals:  A health care professional who—

• is an employee of the Department appointed under section 7306, 7401, 7405, 7406, or 7408 of this title or under title 5;
• is authorized by the Secretary to provide health care under this chapter;
• is required to adhere to all standards for quality relating to the provision of health care in accordance with applicable policies of the Department; and
  • has an active, current, full, and unrestricted license, registration, or certification in a State to practice the health care profession of the health care professional; or
  • with respect to a health care profession listed under section 7402(b) of this title, has the qualifications for such profession as set forth by the Secretary.

The provisions of this section shall supersede any provisions of the law of any State to the extent that such provision of State law are inconsistent with this section.

No State shall deny or revoke the license, registration, or certification of a covered health care professional who otherwise meets the qualifications of the State for holding the license, registration, or certification on the basis that the covered health care professional has engaged or intends to engage in activity covered by subsection (a).

SOURCE:  38 USCS Sec. 1730C, (Accessed Apr. 2025).

DEA Registration by State

Question: Once I obtain a DEA registration can I prescribe controlled substances anywhere in the United States as it is a Federal number?

No. A DEA individual practitioner registration is based on a State license to practice medicine and prescribe controlled substances. DEA relies on State licensing boards to determine whether a practitioner is qualified to dispense, prescribe, or administer controlled substances and to determine which schedules he/she may dispense, prescribe, or administer. State authority to conduct the above-referenced activities only confers rights and privileges within the issuing State. Thus, a DEA registration based on a State license cannot authorize controlled substance dispensing outside the State. See Registration Requirements for Individual Practitioners Operating in a “Locum Tenens” Capacity, 75 FR 55499, 55501 (Oct. 28, 2009); 21 U.S.C. 823(f); 21 CFR 1306.03(a).

Question: I live on a border between two states and I have a practice in each state. Do I need to hold a separate DEA registration number in each state?

Yes. Since DEA’s authority to register practitioners to dispense (including to prescribe) controlled substances is contingent, in part, upon the applicant’s authorization in the state in which he or she practices, his or her controlled substance privileges and limits are determined by that specific state. The Controlled Substances Act requires a separate registration at each principal place of business or professional practice where the controlled substances are distributed or dispensed. See 21 U.S.C. 822(e)(1), 21 CFR 1301.12(a). Therefore, a practitioner who maintains a professional practice location in multiple states has established, for registration purposes, a principal place of business in each of those states. Consequently, DEA requires that the practitioner obtain a separate DEA registration in each state. Further, to do so the practitioner must first obtain authorization to handle controlled substances in each state where he or she has an office. For additional information please see the Final Rule titled: Clarification of Registration Requirements for Individual Practitioners, which DEA published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2006.

SOURCE: Drug Enforcement Agency, Registration Q&A, (Accessed Apr. 2025).

* The US Health and Human Services Administration maintains a website that summarizes information related to interstate licensure.