Federal waiver requirement to prescribe buprenorphine eliminated

If you treat patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), please keep in mind some recent federal changes regarding prescribing buprenorphine and training requirements for prescribers.

A federal change that took effect at the end of 2022 makes it simpler to prescribe buprenorphine. Previously, a special waiver known as a DATA-Waiver and a DATA-Waiver registration number were required in order to prescribe buprenorphine. However, the MAT Act removed the X waiver requirement for prescribing buprenorphine. Practitioners with up-to-date Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registrations that include Schedule III authority can now prescribe buprenorphine for OUD based on applicable state law.

In addition, a new DEA requirement took effect on June 27, 2023, requiring new or renewing DEA registrants to fulfill certain training requirements, including completing eight hours of training on opioid and other substance use disorders from certain accredited organizations. For more details, refer to the Waiver Elimination (MAT Act) page on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website.

Boston Medical Center’s Grayken Center for Addiction Training and Technical Assistance offers a session that meets the DEA course requirement. Focused on treating and managing the care of patients with opioid and other substance use disorders, the session can be completed virtually or via recording.