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Practice setup

DEA and NPI setup checklist

An educational checklist for the identifiers and registrations clinicians commonly need. Requirements vary by state; verify.

Download the PDFPDF, 1 page, 4 KB. Free, no sign-up. For clinicians.
Educational example only. This is not legal, medical, or compliance advice, and it is not a ready-to-use legal document. Requirements vary by state, payer, and setting. Adapt anything like this to your own situation and have it reviewed by qualified legal and compliance counsel licensed in your jurisdiction before using it in a practice. You are responsible for compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including HIPAA. shrinkiatry publishes professional commentary and education, not legal or medical advice.

Current as of July 7, 2026. Laws, payer rules, and billing codes change, so confirm the current requirements for your jurisdiction and setting before you rely on it.

What's inside

NPI

  • Apply for a Type 1 (individual) NPI through NPPES
  • Add a Type 2 (organization) NPI if you form an entity
  • Keep your NPPES record and addresses current

DEA and state controlled-substance registration

  • Register with the DEA for the state(s) where you prescribe controlled substances
  • Obtain any separate state controlled-substance registration where required
  • Enroll in and check the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP)
  • Keep registrations tied to correct practice addresses

Note

A DEA registration is generally tied to a state and a location. Telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances has specific, evolving federal rules. Confirm current requirements before prescribing.

About this resource

This checklist is part of the shrinkiatry resource library, a set of free, clinician-facing references and examples. It's reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, a board-certified psychiatrist, on a quarterly schedule. Next scheduled review: October 1, 2026. First published July 7, 2026, last reviewed July 7, 2026.

Browse the rest of the resource library, or verify who reviews this site. Spotted something out of date? Email corrections@shrinkiatry.com.

Educational and professional commentary only. shrinkiatry explains the profession of psychiatry. It doesn't provide medical advice, isn't a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed clinician, and reading it doesn't create a doctor-patient relationship.