The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a notice that only one renewal notification will be sent to each registrant beginning January 1, 2017. All physicians who are registered with the DEA will receive a renewal notice approximately 65 days prior to the expiration of their current registration. The notification will be sent to the registrant’s “mail to” address that is on file with the DEA. No additional renewal reminders will be issued by the DEA.
Additional changes include:

  • Online capability to renew a DEA registration after the expiration date will not be an option.
  • Failure to file a renewal application by midnight EST of the expiration date will result in the “retirement” of the registrant’s DEA number. The original DEA registration will not be reinstated.
  • Paper renewal applications will not be accepted the day after the expiration date. If the DEA has not received the paper renewal application by the day of the expiration date, mailed-in renewal applications will be returned and the registrant will have to apply for a new DEA registration.

Concerns have been expressed to the DEA along with a request that the new registration process be reversed. There is no indication, however, if they will take any action so be sure to plan accordingly for 2017. Please also share this information with colleagues through any channels you have access to