Frequently Asked Questions

Narcotics & Dangerous Drugs

How do I get a Missouri Controlled Substances Registration?
How long does it take to process an application for registration?
What authority do I have with or without a controlled substances registration?
How many registrations do I need?
What can cause my registration to terminate?
What is the Bureau's authority and jurisdiction?
Who has authority to inspect my controlled substances and controlled substanc records?
What are the most common violations by practitioners?
What types of discipline do violations bring?
How do I handle a change of ownership?
How do I handle a discovered theft or diversion of controlled substances?

How do I get a Missouri Controlled Substances Registration?
You may contact us to have an application mailed or faxed to you. You may download an application from our website.

How long does it take to process an application for registration?
If the applicant’s history is free of disciplinary actions and the application is submitted completely and correctly, the applicant should receive a certificate within five to ten days. Errors on the application delay the process.

What authority do I have with or without a controlled substances registration?
Having a state and federal controlled substances registration authorizes you to purchase, stock, administer, dispense or prescribe controlled substances, subject to the limitations of your professional license. If you do not have both a state and federal controlled substances registration, you may not conduct any activities with controlled substances. You may still practice professionally and see patients, but you may not conduct any controlled substance activities.

How many registrations do I need?
Most practitioners have one registration at their primary Missouri practice location where patient care occurs and controlled substance activities take place. Although they have one primary registered location, they may travel and prescribe at other places. A separate registration is required at each separate location where controlled substances are stocked and stored. Multiple registrations are required if a practitioner stocks controlled substances in multiple locations.

Separate registrations may be needed for separate activities. The primary registration will allow a practitioner to purchase, stock, dispense, prescribe and administer. Separate registrations are required to perform research, import, export, manufacture or distribute.

What can cause my registration to terminate?
A registration will automatically terminate if a professional license is revoked, or suspended for 30 days or more. If a registrant moves or changes registered locations and does not notify the Bureau, the registration automatically terminates on the 31st day following the change in location. A registration closes upon discontinuing or going out of business or upon the death of a registrant.

What is the Bureau's authority and jurisdiction?
The Bureau’s authority is to regulate controlled substance activities only. The Bureau does not have authority regarding non-controlled drugs. The Bureau’s authority is limited to controlled substances security and record keeping. The Bureau does not have authority in areas regarding clinical issues or complaints regarding over-prescribing or under-prescribing. Complaints regarding practice issues are forwarded to the appropriate licensing board.

Who has authority to inspect my controlled substances and controlled substanc records?
Pursuant to Section 195.375.5, RSMo, prescriptions, orders, and records, required by sections 195.005 to 195.425, and stocks of controlled substances shall be open for inspection only to federal, state, county, and municipal officers, whose duty it is to enforce the laws of this state or of the United States relating to narcotic drugs.

Law enforcement officers and regulatory investigators are held to the same level of confidentiality that the practitioners are. Practitioners who release records to the BNDD as required by state law, are given immunity from civil liability.

What are the most common violations by practitioners?
The most common violations are issues regarding controlled substance record keeping. Common record’s violations are failure to conduct annual inventories correctly, failure to maintain and document purchasing and receipt records and failing to correctly document dispensing logs. Having a registration terminate for failing to notify the Bureau of an address change is common.

Other types of violations regarding security and safety of the public are violations such as failing to provide adequate security for controlled substances, stealing drugs, self-administering, impairment, falsifying records and issuing prescriptions in bad faith.

What types of discipline do violations bring?
According to Section 195.040, RSMo 2000, depending upon the nature and magnitude of the violations identified, the Bureau may pursue any of the following:

How do I handle a change of ownership?
A change in ownership requires a new registration by the new controlling part. The Bureau considers the ownership to change whenever a majority or over 50% of the stocks or assets have changed hands.

How do I handle a discovered theft or diversion of controlled substances?
Missouri law requires that the Bureau be notified immediately upon the discovery of any theft or diversion of controlled substances. The registrant has 7 days to submit a written report to the Bureau. The registrant may contact the Bureau to request more time if needed.