Learn about Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) for practitioners

Learn more about the MCSR, application requirements, and more.

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 94C, section 7, an MCSR is required to manufacture, distribute, prescribe, dispense, administer or possess a controlled substance. The Drug Control Program furnishes a copy of your registration to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA issues a registration number which must be used on all prescriptions for federally controlled substances (Schedules II-V) and when ordering stock of these medications for immediate treatment. During the period in which you hold only your Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration, you may conduct approved activities only with Schedule VI controlled substances. You must get both your DEA number and Massachusetts number to conduct approved activities with controlled substances in Schedules II through V.

Why do I need a Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration?

To provide accountability for controlled substances, Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 94C, section 7 and regulations of the Department of Public Health at 105 CMR 700.004 require every person who manufacturers, distributes, prescribes, administers, dispenses or possesses controlled substances to be registered with both the Department of Public Health and DEA if they utilize controlled Substances in Schedules II-V. Additionally, Massachusetts law recognizes as controlled substances those prescription drugs that are not federally scheduled (Schedule VI). Practitioners who only plan to manufacture, distribute, dispense, prescribe, administer, or possess Schedule VI drugs only need to get a Massachusetts Controlled Substances registration. Well over half of the states in the country require a state controlled substances registration in addition to a DEA registration. In these cases, the DEA will not issue a registration until the practitioner has obtained a valid state controlled substances registration.

What address should I include on my application?

  • Per our regulations, the address provided for your MCSR must be a place where you conduct business, specifically, prescriptive practice.  See, 105 CMR 700.004(F).  We do not accept P.O. Boxes, or other addresses where no prescriptive practice or other health care is being provided, and where the practitioner is not actually located. The requirement can be found in our regulation, 105 CMR 700.000 Implementation of M.G.L. c. 94C.  You can find a copy of the full regulation here:  https://www.mass.gov/regulations/105-CMR-70000-implementation-of-mgl-c94c The business address must be a street address, not a post office box
  • Please be sure the address is complete
    • For example: for a hospital address, list the department name as well as the name of the hospital and the street address

What constitutes Amended information?

  • Contact information
  • Removing or adding Authorized Drug Schedules
  • Legal name changes

How many MCSRs do I need?

The section to review is 105 CMR 700.004(F), which requires practitioners to have an MCSR for each place of business or professional practice:

  • Separate Registrations Required for Separate Locations.  A separate registration is required at each place of business or professional practice where the applicant or registrant manufactures, distributes or dispenses controlled substances, or uses controlled substances in research, teaching, or chemical analysis.
    • The following locations are deemed not to be places where controlled substances are manufactured, distributed, or dispensed:
      • A warehouse where controlled substances are stored by or on behalf of a registered person, unless such substances are distributed directly from such warehouse to registered locations other than the registered location from which the substances were delivered.
      • An office used by an agent of a registrant where sales of controlled substances are solicited, made or supervised but which neither contains such substances, nor serves as a distribution point for filling sales orders.
      • An office or registered hospital or other registered health facility which is used by a registered individual practitioner, pharmacist or optometrist who is registered at another location which is his principal place of professional practice, provided that no controlled substances are maintained by such practitioner at any place where he or she is not registered.

For which drug schedules should I request approval?

Unless there is a restriction on the practitioner license, practitioners may request Schedules II through VI.

MCSR applicants who have been authorized for controlled substances in Schedules II-V must apply for a DEA registration.

If you do not have a DEA number you can apply for your DEA registration online here.

How do I add or remove drug schedules?

To amend the drug schedules of your MCSR start by creating an account in the new online licensing system, if you have not done this already. Once you log in you click on Manage My Licenses Applications option, then link your MCSR if you have not done so yet. Once your MCSR is linked, click on show details, the application is there for you to amend your drug schedules.

What is Schedule VI?

Schedule VI drugs consist of all prescription drugs which are not included in Schedules II-V. This is a special Massachusetts schedule (MGL 94C105 CMR 720.002).

MGL 94C Section 3 states: “SCHEDULE VI.— (A) The substance is a prescription drug; and (B) Said prescription drug has not been included in Schedules I through V.”

In short, this states that Schedule VI substances are any “normal” prescriptions that are not considered controlled substances in other states. Some examples of drugs that would fit into Schedule VI are antibiotics and “maintenance meds,” such as penicillin, azithromycin, metoprolol, simvastatin, lisinopril, gabapentin, levothyroxine, metformin, etc.

I started working somewhere new. How do I change my MCSR business address?

Please note: only practitioners who are not responsible for the purchase and storage of prescription drugs are able to amend their registrations address.

To amend the address of your MCSR start by creating an account in the new online licensing system, if you have not done this already. Once you log in you click on Manage My Licenses Applications option, then link your MCSR if you have not done so yet. Once your MCSR is linked, click on show details, the application is there for you to amend your address 

How long will it take to receive my MCSR?

For Practitioners, processing time is no more than 5 business days

For Facilities and Researchers, this depends on inspection. 

I’d like to request a duplicate copy of my MCSR.

These can now be obtained on-line.  You can print your own registration by creating an account in the new online licensing system, if you have not done this already. Once you log in you click on Manage My Licenses Applications option, then link your MCSR if you have not done so yet.

Once your MCSR is linked you will see your list of licenses. Choose the license you wish to print, click show details, please select the appropriate document type below then click download and print your wallet card.

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