Continuing Education Resources { Act 124 of 2016 }
Pennsylvania enacted a new law requiring all licensees considered to be “ prescribers ” or “ dispensers ” of controlled substances to complete at least two hours of board-approved continuing education credits in pain management or identification of addiction or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids , as a condition of renewal every two years .
There are two exemptions for licensees :
• Licensees who are exempt from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency ' s ( DEA ) requirements for a registration number .
• Licensees who do not use the registration number of another person or entity , as permitted by law , to prescribe controlled substances in any manner .
The continuing education ( CE ) requirement does apply to all licensees who have a current DEA registration or use another DEA number ( as permitted by law ) to prescribe controlled substances . The CE requirement is in effect with the 2019-2020 renewal period .
DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion ( MATE ) Act
Under the federal MATE Act of 2022 , all practitioners applying for or renewing a DEA registration must have a minimum of eight hours training on :
• the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders , or
• safe pharmacological management of dental pain .
Beginning June 27 , 2023 , practitioners will be required to affirm on their initial or renewal DEA application whether they have completed the one-time training . The date in which practitioners must complete the onetime training depends on each practitioner ’ s renewal deadline or date they initially apply .
According to the DEA :
• Training can occur in multiple sessions .
• Previous training from a qualified entity before the law ’ s effective date of December 22 , 2022 , will count .
• Training may take place in-person or virtually .
• Practitioners who completed eight hours of relevant coursework at an accredited dental school within five years of June 27 , 2023 , automatically satisfy the requirement .
It is also important to note that Pennsylvania ’ s own requirement for dentists to obtain two hours of opioid-
PDA offers CE courses that meet the state ’ s requirements . Visit www . padental . org / CE
2023