New Federal Mandate (MATE)
(Effective June 26)
The Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, passed by Congress as part of the Omnibus Bill of 2022, mandates most practitioners licensed to prescribe controlled substances, including dentists, complete eight hours of one-time training on safely prescribing controlled substances (Schedules II, III IV, and/or V) in order to receive or renew their registration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
At the time of your next scheduled DEA registration submission (on or after June 27, 2023):
- Complete eight hours of qualified training on safe controlled substance prescribing.
- Check a box on your registration submission affirming that you have completed required training.
- Retain copies of all certificates of completion.
Will training credits accepted for state-required opioid training count toward the new federal requirement?
Yes. Training hours accepted for state-required opioid training may be used to satisfy the DEA training requirement. Sec. 1263 specifically states: “Nothing in this subsection shall be construed…to preclude the use…of training…to satisfy registration requirements of a State or for some other lawful purpose.”
Will training credits accepted for the Federal DEA eight-hour course count toward the New York State three-hour opioid course requirement?
The New York State three-hour opioid course mandates that eight specific topics be covered. Whether the Federal DEA course, or any part of it, counts towards the New York State course depends on the topics the DEA course covers. Check carefully because New York requires that all of the following topics be covered:
- New York State and federal requirements for prescribing controlled substances;
- Pain management;
- Appropriate prescribing;
- Managing acute pain;
- Palliative medicine;
- Prevention, screening and signs of addiction;
- Responses to abuse and addiction; and
- End-of-life care.
Prescribers must complete coursework or training in all eight topics areas, including New York State requirements for prescribing controlled substances. The topics may be covered by a single, comprehensive presentation or by multiple, individual presentations for a total of at least three hours. Hours for accredited coursework or training that meet any of the eight required topics, completed as part of an accredited continuing education program, may be counted toward the requirement. Prescribers must complete the coursework within one year of DEA registration and once every three years after the first attestation.
Attestation Link
Upon completion of all required eight (8) training topic areas, the prescriber must attest online via the Narcotic Education Attestation Tracker (NEAT) application in the Health Commerce System (HCS).
FAQs
Review a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions, such as “Do I have to use a specific CE provider?” “Will ADA CERP credits count?” and more at:
Federal Mandate Questions
If you have further questions about this federal mandate, the ADA’s Member Service Center is best equipped to answer them. Contact the MSC via e-mail at msc@ada.org, or call 312-440-2500. Staff are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central Time.
New York State Mandate Questions
If you have further questions about the state mandate, NYSDA is available to assist. Contact NYSDA at info@nysdental.org, or call 518.465-0044. Staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
