Find required training to obtain a buprenorphine waiver.
Recent Practice Guidelines exempt eligible physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives from the certification requirements related to training, counseling and other ancillary services (i.e., psychosocial services) under 21 U.S.C. § 823(g)(2)(B)(i)-(ii) of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
Practitioners utilizing this exemption are limited to treating no more than 30 patients at any one time (time spent practicing under this exemption will not qualify the practitioner for a higher patient limit). This exemption applies only to the prescription of Schedule III, IV, and V drugs or combinations of such drugs, covered under the CSA, such as buprenorphine.
For those eligible providers who wish to treat 30 patients, with subsequent increases in this limit, the training requirement remains in place.
SAMHSA offers tools, training, and technical assistance to practitioners in the fields of mental and substance use disorders. Find information on SAMHSA training and resources. SAMHSA has developed a Buprenorphine Quick Start Guide (PDF | 1.4 MB) and pocket guide (PDF | 200 KB) for all practitioners seeking to prescribe buprenorphine.
SAMHSA tracks the number of DATA-waivered practitioners eligible to provide buprenorphine treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) and program data. Find totals of waivered practitioners by licensure as well as by state.
It is critical that all practitioner contact and practice information is current. It is recommended that practitioners review their information periodically and update as necessary to ensure its accuracy.
Practitioners must understand and adhere to specific federal buprenorphine record keeping requirements.
Every year, per 42 CFR 8.635, qualified practitioners approved to treat up to 275 patients must submit information about their practice to SAMHSA for purposes of monitoring regulatory compliance. The goal of the reporting requirement is to ensure that practitioners are providing buprenorphine treatment in compliance with the final rule Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders (81 FR 44711).
Learn more about buprenorphine.