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Controlled Substance Education Course

The Physician Assistant Practice Act (Act) provides for licensure and regulation of physician assistants by the Physician Assistant Board (Board). The Act is comprised of Business and Professions Code (Code), Division 2, Chapter 7.7.

As of January 1, 2020, physician assistants must complete a one–time controlled substance education course in accordance with California Code of Regulations (CCR), title 16, sections 1399.610 and 1399.612. If not previously completed, this course must be taken as part of the continuing education requirement within the two–year period immediately preceding the license expiration.

Please be advised that this course is NOT the U.S. DEA one–time eight–hour training requirement for all DEA practitioners that was implemented on June 27, 2023. Please contact the DEA directly for information regarding their course requirement.

This requirement applies to physician assistants who:

  • Hold an active California license,
  • Are authorized through a California practice agreement to furnish Schedule II controlled substances, and
  • Are registered with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

To demonstrate compliance, a certificate of completion must be submitted to the Board as proof that the course has been successfully completed.

Please be advised that the Board’s controlled substance education course requirement is separate from the DEA’s one–time eight–hour training requirement implemented on June 27, 2023. For information regarding the DEA’s requirement and acceptable courses, please contact the DEA directly.

Please review the information below for assistance with interpreting this requirement and how it impacts you as a licensee:

  1. Do I have to complete the controlled substance education course if I am not registered with the DEA and/or authorized through a practice agreement to furnish Schedule II controlled substances at the time I renew my license?

    No. Only licensees who are authorized through their California PA practice agreement to furnish Schedule II controlled substances AND who are registered with the DEA at the time of renewing their license, are required to complete the controlled substance education course. Licensees with a license status of inactive are not required to complete the controlled substance education course.

  2. If I am registered with the DEA and authorized through my California PA practice agreement to furnish Schedule II controlled substances but I am not furnishing Schedule II controlled substances, am I required to complete a one–time controlled substance education course pursuant to CCR section 1399.610?

    Yes. The requirement is based on being authorized through a California PA practice agreement to furnish Schedule II controlled substances; it is not based on whether you are currently furnishing Schedule II controlled substances.

  3. What if I remember taking the controlled substance education course but do not have a copy of my certificate?

    Current providers whose course has been deemed approved by the Board in accordance with CCR sections 1399.610 and 1399.612 are:

    • California Academy of Physician Associates (CAPA)
    • Advanced Practice Providers Executives, Inc. (APPex)
    • Stanford

    Kaiser Permanente previously provided an approved one–time controlled substance education course; certificates of completion issued by Kaiser will be accepted if compliant with CCR section 1399.612. If you believe you may have completed the one–time controlled substance education course, please contact the course providers directly for assistance and if a record exists, request a replacement certificate.

  4. Can I renew my license if I am unable to complete the course prior to the expiration date of my license?

    Yes. Until this requirement is met, section 3501.1(d)(2) of the Code requires a patient–specific order approved by the treating or supervising physician and surgeon to furnish Schedule II controlled substances. A patient–specific order must be reviewed and approved by the supervising physician, written in the patient’s chart, and signed and dated by the supervising physician.

    A certificate meeting the requirements of CCR section 1399.612 must be submitted to the Board before the expiration date of your next renewal cycle or you may be ineligible to renew your license. If a course is not available prior to the expiration date of the next renewal cycle, evidence of your intent to enroll in a future course is required and must be submitted to the Board.

  5. How do I know if the Board has a copy of my certificate of completion on file?

    Visit DCA License Search to view your licensing details. Select Physician Assistant Board, License Type, and enter either your license number or name. Click on “More Details” from the results page. The controlled substance education course certificate of completion will show as a “Qualification” if the certificate is on file with the Board.

  6. Do I have to complete the controlled substance education course prior to registering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)?

    No. The controlled substance education course is a license renewal requirement and does not impact your ability to register with the DEA.

  7. Does a continuing medical education (CME) course specific to opioids or the MAT Waiver fulfill the controlled substance education course requirement?

    While many opioid CME courses do qualify for Category 1 CMEs, they may not meet the requirements of CCR section 1399.610. The MAT Waiver is required to obtain a waiver from the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder and does not fulfill the requirements of CCR section 1399.610.

  8. When was the controlled substance education course first offered?

    The controlled substance education course was first offered on or after January 1, 2008.

  9. How do I submit a copy of my certificate to the Board?

    The certificate of completion can be faxed to (916) 263–2671 or by calling the Board at (916) 561–8780 for assistance.

Education Course Providers

The following course providers course materials have been reviewed by the Board, are in accordance with CCR sections 1399.610 and 1366.612, and have been deemed approved by the Board. Please visit the course provider’s website to view their schedule of upcoming controlled substance education courses or contact the course provider directly for assistance.

Prospective Controlled Substance Course Providers

The Board encourages entities to submit their course materials to the Board for review and approval if they would like to offer a controlled substance education course as required by Code section 3502.1(e)(3), is in accordance with CCR sections 1399.610 and 1399.612, and sponsored by one of these entities:

  • American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
  • American Medical Association (AMA)
  • American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education (AOACCME)
  • American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
  • Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
  • A state medical society recognized by the (ACCME)

Please contact the following individual for assistance with the submission process:

Julie Caldwell
Lead Licensing Analyst
(916) 561–8781
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