DEA Requirement · Effective June 27, 2023

Are you DEA-registered?
You may owe the DEA an 8-hour training.

The DEA MATE Act (effective June 27, 2023) requires all DEA-registered practitioners to complete 8 hours of training on treating patients with opioid or substance use disorders — one time.

Who it applies to

Every practitioner with a DEA registration number. No exceptions.

  • Physicians (MD, DO)
  • Physician Assistants (PA)
  • Nurse Practitioners (NP)
  • Dentists

What the 8 hours must cover

  • FDA-approved medications for SUD treatment
  • Clinical management of opioid use disorder
  • Overdose prevention
  • Treating patients with opioid or substance use disorders

Are you compliant?

1

DEA registered before June 2023 and haven't renewed since

Required at next renewal

The training is required at your NEXT DEA renewal. DEA registrations expire every 3 years.

2

DEA registered or renewed on/after June 27, 2023

Required now

The training was required at the time of your registration or renewal. If you haven't completed it, do so now.

3

Completed 8 hours of qualifying SUD/opioid training

Compliant

You are compliant. Training that counts: any ACCME/AOA-accredited course covering SUD, OUD, or opioid prescribing that totals ≥8 hours.

Quick self-check

When did you last register or renew your DEA?

Not sure of your DEA date? Check DEA Diversion Control →

Courses that satisfy it

These 8 hours are widely sold near renewal deadlines. They do not have to be. Accredited providers offer training that covers the full requirement at no cost.

Free — covers all 8 hours

Pain Management and Opioids CME

NEJM Group (formerly NEJM Knowledge+, now with AMBOSS)

62 case-based questions across 8 focused topics. 50+ videos and infographics. PDF summaries. Progress tracking. Updated April 2026 — active and confirmed. Previously at knowledgeplus.nejm.org — new URL is pain-management-cme.nejm.org. Current approval window explicitly states AAFP Prescribed credit approval from 04/16/2026 to 04/15/2027. This no-cost 10.25-hour training satisfies the DEA's 8-hour requirement and may help with CDC safe prescribing compliance.

FreeUp to 10.25 hours AMA PRA Category 1
View course →

Online 8-Hour SUD 101 Training

PCSS-MOUD (funded by SAMHSA)

Comprehensive 8-module bundle covering SUD overview, assessment, and MOUD. Fulfills the full 8-hour federal requirement.

Free8.0 hours AMA PRA Category 1 / AAPA Category 1 / ANCC / ACPE / IPCE
View course →

Online 8-Hour Training: Pain, Opioids & Effective Patient Care

PCSS-MOUD

Flexible curriculum allowing users to pick 8 modules from 14 options in the Pain Core Curriculum.

Free8.0 hours (Choose 8 of 14 modules) AMA PRA Category 1
View course →

Free DEA MATE Act Training — 8 Hours CME (3 Courses)

RxCE.com

3 free on-demand courses totaling 8.0 hours. No tests required. Self-paced, mobile-friendly. Certificate downloadable immediately upon completion. No documentation submitted to DEA — physician simply checks attestation box on next DEA renewal. Free account required (email signup only). Board-certified addiction medicine/psychiatry physicians deemed auto-compliant per MATE Act. RxCE has 20+ years providing online CE. Founded to provide high-quality CE at low cost. Page confirmed active April 2026. No explicit expiration date listed (enduring activity).

Free8.0 hours (3 courses bundled) AMA PRA Category 1
View course →

5 more free courses count toward the 8 hours — see the full list.

Paid alternative

Hippo Education: OUD Decoded

12.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ — satisfies the DEA MATE Act 8-hour requirement and goes well beyond it, covering opioid use disorder diagnosis, treatment, and clinical management. A paid option, included here because the depth is genuinely greater than the free courses above.

Satisfies MATE Act12.25 AMA PRA Cat 1On-demand
View OUD Decoded →

ClearCME does not receive compensation from Hippo Education. This is an independent recommendation.

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