Which professionals may be assigned a DEA registration number?

• A. All health care providers listed (physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, optometrist, dentist, veterinarian)
• B. Physicians only
• C. Nurses only
• D. Pharmacists only

Answer: (A)

DEA registration numbers are issued to professionals who may legally prescribe, administer, or dispense controlled substances. This authority isn’t limited to physicians alone—physician assistants, nurse practitioners, optometrists, dentists, and veterinarians all may prescribe or manage controlled substances within their scope of practice. Because each of these roles can handle controlled substances in typical clinical settings, they may be assigned a DEA registration number. Pharmacists dispense medications, but their authority to handle controlled substances is tied to the pharmacy’s registration rather than requiring an individual DEA number for every pharmacist. That’s why the best choice is the option that includes all the listed prescribers.