The first step to beginning a medication dispensing program at a medical practice is understanding the local laws. Each state has different requirements and rules for distributing medication. Some states allow physicians to distribute medication without any additional licensing, some require them to register, some require a special medication dispensing license, and very few do not allow physician dispensing.
Physician dispensing laws by state
Below is a list of all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, and a quick summary of their policies on physician dispensing. This list is not official and these laws are subject to frequent changes. Check with your local board of pharmacists or medical board for the most updated laws in your area.
- Alabama: A dispensing license is only required for physicians prescribing controlled substances. No special license is required to distribute non-controlled drugs.
- Alaska: Physician dispensing is allowed in Alaska. Physicians should notify the Alaska Composite Medical Board before they begin dispensing.
- Arizona: Registration with the Arizona Medical Board as a dispensing physician is required.
- Arkansas: A dispensing license is required, and it has strict stipulations. Physicians may need to prove a specific reason for dispensing, such as traveling a long distance to the nearest pharmacy.
- California: No dispensing license is required.
- Colorado: No dispensing license is required.
- Connecticut: No dispensing license is required for non-controlled substances. Physicians must register with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection every two years to distribute controlled substances.
- Delaware: No dispensing license is required, but controlled substances can only be distributed in a maximum of 72-hour supplies.
- Florida: Physicians must register as “dispensing practitioners” with the Florida Department of Health.
- Georgia: No dispensing license is required. Physicians must notify the Georgia Composite Medical Board of their intent to dispense.
- Hawaii: Physicians need a permit from the Hawaii Board of Pharmacy and will need to make sure they are properly registered.
- Idaho: Physicians must complete Prescriber Drug Outlet Registration.
- Illinois: No dispensing license required for non-controlled substances. For controlled substances, physicians must fill out an Illinois Controlled Substances Registration Form.
- Indiana: In-office dispensing for non-controlled substances is allowed. Dispensing controlled substances requires registration as a controlled substance practitioner.
- Iowa: No dispensing license is required for non-controlled substances. A permit is required to dispense controlled substances and must be renewed every two years.
- Kansas: No dispensing license is required.
- Kentucky: No dispensing license is required.
- Louisiana: A dispensing license is required, and physicians must meet certain eligibility requirements, and controlled substances can only be distributed in 48-hour supplies.
- Maine: No dispensing license is required.
- Maryland: A dispensing license is required and must be displayed on-site.
- Massachusetts: Physicians can only dispense short-term supplies.
- Michigan: Physicians must obtain a drug control license to dispense medications.
- Minnesota: Registration is required by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice in order to distribute drugs for profit.
- Mississippi: No dispensing license is required.
- Missouri: A dispensing license is required to dispense controlled substances, not for non-controlled substances.
- Montana: Physician dispensing is allowed as of 2021, as long as the practitioner is registered with the Montana Board of Pharmacy.
- Nebraska: Physicians must receive a Dispensing Practitioner Pharmacy License from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The license is permanent and does not need to be renewed.
- Nevada: Physicians need to apply for Authority to Dispense Drugs from the Nevada Board of Pharmacy.
- New Hampshire: No dispensing license is required.
- New Jersey: Physicians can only dispense seven-day supplies of medication.
- New Mexico: No dispensing license is required. Physicians may need to register to dispense controlled substances.
- New York: Physicians may dispense 72-hour supplies of medications.
- North Carolina: Physicians must register with the North Carolina Pharmacy Board.
- North Dakota: No dispensing license is required.
- Ohio: Most practitioners need a Terminal Distributor of Dangerous Drugs license, and several restrictions apply.
- Oklahoma: Registration as a dispensing physician is required.
- Oregon: Registration as a dispensing physician is required.
- Pennsylvania: Physicians can distribute medications in-office in limited quantities.
- Rhode Island: No dispensing license is required.
- South Carolina: Physicians must register to dispense medications.
- South Dakota: Physicians must register to dispense controlled substances.
- Tennessee: No dispensing license is required.
- Texas: Physician dispensing is not allowed.
- Utah: Physician dispensing is not allowed aside from rare exceptions.
- Vermont: No dispensing license is required.
- Virginia: A dispensing license is required.
- Washington: No dispensing license is required.
- Washington D.C.: A dispensing license is required.
- West Virginia: Registration as a dispensing physician is required and physicians must display a sign stating, “Every patient has the right to receive a written prescription as an alternative to having legend drugs dispensed by your physician.”
- Wisconsin: No dispensing license is required.
- Wyoming: In-office dispensing is not allowed except in rare exceptions.
How to get started dispensing medication in-office
Dispensing medications is a complicated process. The best way to get started distributing medication in-office is by contacting an in-office medication dispensing company. An experienced health services company is able to help physicians understand their local laws.
Physicians should also consult their state’s board of pharmacy and/or medical board for more information. Each state has specific laws for in-office medication dispensing, and these laws tend to change.
Why convert to physician dispensing?
In-office medication dispensing is more convenient for physicians, patients, and medical office staff. The benefits are numerous. When patients can receive their medications in-office during their visit they get to speak directly to their care provider about their prescription. They can also avoid a potentially complicated and inconvenient visit to a pharmacy.