DEA Reverses Stand on Renewal Notices

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently announced important changes to its registration renewal process. Effective Jan. 1, the DEA will send a single renewal notice to registrants notifying them that their registration is set to expire.

The notice will be sent 65 days in advance of the expiration date. However, no additional reminders will be sent via snail mail. Instead, an electronic reminder to renew will be sent via email to the address associated with the DEA registration.

DEA will otherwise retain its current policy and procedures with respect to renewal and reinstatement of registration. This policy is as follows:

• If a renewal application is submitted in a timely manner prior to expiration, the registrant may continue operations, authorized by the registration, beyond the expiration date until final action is taken on the application.
• DEA allows the reinstatement of an expired registration for one calendar month after the expiration date. If the registration is not renewed within that calendar month, an application for a new DEA registration will be required.
• Regardless of whether a registration is reinstated within the calendar month after expiration, federal law prohibits the handling of controlled substances or List 1 chemicals for any period of time under an expired registration.

Additional information can be found on DEA’s website.

The announcement is a reversal of a previously announced registration renewal process that was significantly more stringent and would have eliminated the grace periods for renewals. The Health Law Offices of Anthony C. Vitale assists clients with DEA registration and enforcement matters affecting all provider types. Feel free to contact us for additional information at 305-358-4500 or send us an email to info@vitalehealthlaw.com and let’s discuss how we might be able to assist you.