DEA Number Calculation
Table of Contents
DEA Number Validator
Disclaimer: This DEA Number Calculator is intended solely for educational and examination purposes. It is designed to help pharmacy students understand the DEA number calculation process and should not be used for actual or legal verification. Always refer to the official DEA-issued number for professional or legal use.
What is a DEA Number?
A DEA Number is a unique identifier assigned to a healthcare provider (doctor, dentist, nurse practitioner, etc.) by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It authorizes the provider to prescribe or dispense controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act.Structure of a DEA Number
A standard DEA number looks like: AB1234563- First Letter: Identifies the registration type (e.g., practitioner, hospital)
- Second Letter: The first letter of the provider’s last name
- Digits 1-6: Unique identification numbers
- Digit 7: A checksum used to validate the number (must be calculated)
First Letter – Registrant Type
| First Letter | Registrant Type |
| A, B, F, G | Hospital, Clinic, Practitioner |
| M | Mid-level Practitioner (NP, PA) |
| X | DATA-waived Prescriber (Suboxone) |
| P, R | Manufacturer, Distributor, Research |
Second Letter – Provider’s Last Name
- Must match the first letter of the provider’s last name.
- Example: Dr. Smith → DEA might be BS1234567
DEA Number Calculation
Add the 1st, 3rd, and 5th digits:
= Example: 1 + 3 + 5 = 9Add the 2nd, 4th, and 6th digits, then multiply by 2:
= (2 + 4 + 6) × 2 = 12 × 2 = 24Add both results:
= 9 + 24 = 33 The rightmost digit of this sum (3) must match the 7th digit of the DEA number.✅ Example (VALID):
- DEA Number: AB1234563
- 1st, 3rd, 5th: 1 + 3 + 5 = 9
- 2nd, 4th, 6th: 2 + 4 + 6 = 12 × 2 = 24
- Total: 9 + 24 = 33
❌ Example (INVALID):
- DEA Number: AB1234567
- 1st, 3rd, 5th: 1 + 3 + 5 = 9
- 2nd, 4th, 6th: 2 + 4 + 6 = 12 × 2 = 24
- Total: 9 + 24 = 33
- Total is still 33
- Check digit provided = 7
Why Is DEA Number Validation Important in Pharmacy Practice?
- Prevent Forgery: Helps detect fraudulent or altered prescriptions.
- Legal Compliance: Pharmacies are required to validate DEA numbers for all controlled substance prescriptions.
- Avoid Fines: Incorrect dispensing due to improper DEA validation can lead to audits or penalties.
- Patient Safety: Ensures that controlled substances are dispensed under a licensed and authorized provider.
DEA Validation Basics Recap
A valid DEA number must:
- Start with 2 letters (first = registrant type, second = first letter of last name).
- Follow with 7 digits.
- Pass the checksum test:
- Add 1st, 3rd, and 5th digits.
- Add 2nd, 4th, and 6th digits, then multiply this by 2.
- Add both results; the last digit of the total must match the 7th digit of the DEA number.
Practice Questions on DEA Number Calculations
Question 1: Dr. Susan Carter has the DEA number AC1234563.
Is this DEA number valid?
Answer: ✅ Yes
Explanation:
First letter “A” = valid for physician.
Second letter “C” = matches last name Carter.
Digits: 1 + 3 + 5 = 9
2 + 4 + 6 = 12 → 12 × 2 = 24
9 + 24 = 33 → last digit is 3, which matches the 7th digit. ✔️
Explanation:
First letter “A” = valid for physician.
Second letter “C” = matches last name Carter.
Digits: 1 + 3 + 5 = 9
2 + 4 + 6 = 12 → 12 × 2 = 24
9 + 24 = 33 → last digit is 3, which matches the 7th digit. ✔️
Question 2: Dr. Michael Edwards has the DEA number BE6543214.
Is this DEA number valid?
Answer: ❌ No
Explanation:
First letter “B” = valid for hospital/institution.
Second letter “E” = correct (Edwards).
Digits: 6 + 4 + 2 = 12
5 + 3 + 1 = 9 → 9 × 2 = 18
12 + 18 = 30 → last digit is 0, but the DEA ends in 4 ❌ Invalid.
Explanation:
First letter “B” = valid for hospital/institution.
Second letter “E” = correct (Edwards).
Digits: 6 + 4 + 2 = 12
5 + 3 + 1 = 9 → 9 × 2 = 18
12 + 18 = 30 → last digit is 0, but the DEA ends in 4 ❌ Invalid.
Question 3: Nurse Practitioner Linda Brooks has the DEA number MB2345676. Is this DEA number valid?
Answer: ❌ No
Explanation:
First letter “M” = mid-level practitioner ✔️
Second letter “B” = matches last name Brooks ✔️
Digits: 2 + 4 + 6 = 12
3 + 5 + 7 = 15 → 15 × 2 = 30
12 + 30 = 42 → last digit is 2, but DEA ends in 6 ❌ Invalid checksum.
Explanation:
First letter “M” = mid-level practitioner ✔️
Second letter “B” = matches last name Brooks ✔️
Digits: 2 + 4 + 6 = 12
3 + 5 + 7 = 15 → 15 × 2 = 30
12 + 30 = 42 → last digit is 2, but DEA ends in 6 ❌ Invalid checksum.
Question 4: What does the first letter "X" in a DEA number indicate?
A. Hospital
B. Researcher
C. Mid-level practitioner
D. Buprenorphine prescriber
Correct Answer: D. Buprenorphine prescriber
Explanation: "X" indicates a DATA-waived provider allowed to prescribe Suboxone (buprenorphine).
Explanation: "X" indicates a DATA-waived provider allowed to prescribe Suboxone (buprenorphine).
Question 5: A DEA number starts with “BF”. What kind of registrant is this likely to be?
A. Dentist
B. Hospital or Clinic
C. Researcher
D. Veterinarian
Correct Answer: B. Hospital or Clinic
Explanation: "B" indicates a hospital or clinic registrant.
Explanation: "B" indicates a hospital or clinic registrant.
Question 6: When is it mandatory to verify a prescriber’s DEA number?
A. For all prescriptions
B. For controlled substances only
C. Only for Schedule II drugs
D. Never, it’s optional
Correct Answer: B. For controlled substances only
Explanation: DEA numbers are used only for prescribing or dispensing controlled substances.
Explanation: DEA numbers are used only for prescribing or dispensing controlled substances.
