Introduction
All 50 states and the District of Columbia now operate Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), and most mandate that physicians register with and check these databases before prescribing controlled substances. Non-compliance can result in board disciplinary action, fines, and in some cases, criminal penalties.
This comprehensive guide covers PDMP registration requirements, mandatory check rules, and compliance strategies for every state as of 2026.
What Is a PDMP?
A Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is a state-run electronic database that collects and monitors prescription data for controlled substances. When a pharmacy dispenses a Schedule II-V medication, that information is reported to the state PDMP, creating a patient's prescription history accessible to authorized prescribers.
Purpose and Benefits
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Prevent "Doctor Shopping" | Identifies patients obtaining controlled substances from multiple prescribers |
| Reduce Opioid Diversion | Flags unusual prescribing patterns and potential abuse |
| Clinical Decision Support | Provides complete medication history for informed prescribing |
| Regulatory Compliance | Documents prescriber due diligence |
| Public Health Data | Enables tracking of prescription trends and intervention targeting |
Information Tracked
| Data Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Patient name and DOB | Required for all prescriptions |
| Prescriber DEA number | Identifies the prescribing physician |
| Drug name and strength | NDC code and description |
| Quantity dispensed | Number of units |
| Days supply | Duration of prescription |
| Date filled | When pharmacy dispensed |
| Pharmacy information | Dispensing location |
| Payment method | Cash vs. insurance (flags potential abuse) |
State-by-State PDMP Requirements
Registration Requirements by State
| State | PDMP Name | Registration Required | Check Mandate | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ALPDMP | Yes, for DEA registrants | Schedule II-V | https://www.alpdmp.alabama.gov |
| Alaska | PRIOR | Yes | Schedule II-IV | https://prior.alaska.gov |
| Arizona | AZ PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://pharmacy.az.gov/pdmp |
| Arkansas | AR PDMP | Yes | Yes | https://www.arkansaspdmp.com |
| California | CURES 2.0 | Yes, mandatory | Schedule II-IV | https://oag.ca.gov/cures |
| Colorado | CO PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://dpo.colorado.gov/PDMP |
| Connecticut | CT PDMP | Yes | Yes | https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/PDMP |
| Delaware | DE PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://pdmp.delaware.gov |
| Florida | E-FORCSE | Yes, for DEA registrants | Schedule II-V | https://flhealthsource.gov/pdmp |
| Georgia | GA PDMP | Yes, for DEA registrants | Schedule II (opioids/benzos) | https://dph.georgia.gov/pdmp |
| Hawaii | HI PDMP | Yes | Yes | https://health.hawaii.gov/pdmp |
| Idaho | ID PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://bop.idaho.gov/pdmp |
| Illinois | IL PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://www.ilpmp.org |
| Indiana | INSPECT | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://www.in.gov/pla/inspect |
| Iowa | IA PMP | Yes | Yes | https://iowa.pmpaware.net |
| Kansas | K-TRACS | Yes | Schedule II-IV | https://ktracs.ks.gov |
| Kentucky | KASPER | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://chfs.ky.gov/KASPER |
| Louisiana | LA PMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://louisiana.pmpaware.net |
| Maine | ME PDMP | Yes | Yes | https://gateway.maine.gov/pdmp |
| Maryland | MD PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://bha.health.maryland.gov/pdmp |
| Massachusetts | MA PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://massgov.pmpaware.net |
| Michigan | MAPS | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://michigan.gov/lara/maps |
| Minnesota | MN PDMP | Yes | Yes | https://pmp.pharmacy.state.mn.us |
| Mississippi | MS PDMP | Yes | Yes | https://mbp.ms.gov/pdmp |
| Missouri | MO PDMP | Yes | Yes | https://health.mo.gov/pdmp |
| Montana | MT PDMP | Yes | Schedule II | https://dphhs.mt.gov/pdmp |
| Nebraska | NE PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://dhhs.ne.gov/pdmp |
| Nevada | NV PMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://bop.nv.gov/pmp |
| New Hampshire | NH PDMP | Yes, mandatory | Schedule II-IV | https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/pdmp |
| New Jersey | NJ PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://njconsumeraffairs.gov/pdmp |
| New Mexico | NM PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://nmpmp.nmhealth.org |
| New York | I-STOP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://commerce.health.state.ny.us/pdmp |
| North Carolina | NC CSRS | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://www.nccsrs.org |
| North Dakota | ND PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://www.nodakpharmacy.nd.gov/pdmp |
| Ohio | OARRS | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://pharmacy.ohio.gov/oarrs |
| Oklahoma | OK PMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://osbp.ok.gov/pmp |
| Oregon | OR PDMP | Yes, mandatory | Schedule II-IV | https://www.oregon.gov/omb/pdmp |
| Pennsylvania | PA PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://www.health.pa.gov/pdmp |
| Rhode Island | RI PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://health.ri.gov/pdmp |
| South Carolina | SCRIPTS | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://llr.sc.gov/scripts |
| South Dakota | SD PDMP | Yes | Yes | https://doh.sd.gov/pdmp |
| Tennessee | TN CSMD | Yes | Schedule II-IV | https://www.tn.gov/csmd |
| Texas | TX PMP | Yes | Yes | https://texas.pmpaware.net |
| Utah | UT CSD | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://dopl.utah.gov/csd |
| Vermont | VT PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-IV | https://healthvermont.gov/pdmp |
| Virginia | VA PMP | Yes | Schedule II-VI | https://dhp.virginia.gov/pmp |
| Washington | WA PMP | Yes | Schedule II-IV | https://doh.wa.gov/pmp |
| West Virginia | WV CSMP | Yes | Schedule II-IV | https://dhhr.wv.gov/csmp |
| Wisconsin | WI PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://pdmp.wi.gov |
| Wyoming | WY PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://pharmacy.wyo.gov/pdmp |
| Washington D.C. | DC PDMP | Yes | Schedule II-V | https://dchealth.dc.gov/pdmp |
Mandatory PDMP Check Requirements
When Must You Check?
States vary significantly in when PDMP checks are required:
| Requirement Type | States | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Every controlled substance Rx | KY, TN, OH, NY, NM, WV | Must check before every Schedule II+ prescription |
| First-time prescriptions | CA, FL, GA, IL | Required for new patients or new controlled substances |
| Schedule II only | MT, some states | Check required only for Schedule II drugs |
| Schedule II-V | Majority of states | Broad check requirement |
| Specific intervals | Various | Check every 90 days for chronic patients |
Exemptions from PDMP Checks
Most states provide exemptions for:
| Exemption | Description |
|---|---|
| Hospice/palliative care | Terminal patients often exempt |
| Inpatient hospital | Medications administered in-hospital |
| Emergency situations | Acute care requiring immediate treatment |
| 3-day supply or less | Short-term prescriptions in some states |
| Delegated checking | Some states allow staff to check under supervision |
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Board Disciplinary Actions
| Violation | Typical Consequence |
|---|---|
| Failure to register | Warning → citation → formal discipline |
| Failure to check when required | Administrative penalty, required education |
| Pattern of non-compliance | License probation, suspension |
| Prescribing without checking (harm results) | License revocation, civil/criminal liability |
State-Specific Penalties
California (CURES) - Failure to register: Board investigation - Failure to check: Subject to discipline under B&P Code 2241.5 - First offense typically results in citation and required training
Florida (E-FORCSE) - Mandatory registration for all DEA-registered physicians - Failure to check before Schedule II-V: Subject to disciplinary action - Fine up to $10,000 per occurrence in serious cases
Texas (PMP) - Registration required for all controlled substance prescribers - Failure to check can trigger board investigation - Pattern violations can result in license restriction
New York (I-STOP) - Mandatory registration and checking since 2013 - Exceptions require documentation - Non-compliance is grounds for discipline
PDMP Best Practices for Compliance
Registration Process
- Gather required information
- DEA registration number
- State medical license number
- NPI number
-
Practice address
-
Access your state's PDMP website (see table above)
-
Complete registration application
- Create account credentials
- Verify identity (some states require notarized documents)
-
Agree to terms of use
-
Complete any required training
- Some states mandate PDMP training modules
-
Document completion for audit purposes
-
Set up delegate access (if permitted)
- Designate staff to check on your behalf
- Maintain supervision requirements
Check Documentation
| Best Practice | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Check BEFORE prescribing | Demonstrates due diligence |
| Document check in patient record | Audit trail for compliance |
| Note any concerns identified | Shows clinical decision-making |
| Re-check for chronic patients | Ongoing monitoring requirement |
| Keep screenshots if available | Evidence of compliance |
Interstate Checking
Many states participate in interstate data sharing through PMP InterConnect, allowing you to check patient prescription history in other states:
- 45+ states participate in interstate sharing
- Access through your home state PDMP
- Same login credentials
- Critical for patients who live near state borders
Multi-State Practice Considerations
If you're licensed in multiple states:
- Register with EACH state's PDMP where you prescribe controlled substances
- Know each state's specific requirements - they vary significantly
- Document compliance separately for each state
- Use PMP InterConnect to check across states for traveling patients
- Stay current on requirement changes - states update rules frequently
Key Takeaways
- All 50 states require PDMP registration for controlled substance prescribers
- Most states mandate checking before prescribing—know your state's rules
- Penalties for non-compliance range from fines to license revocation
- Register immediately if you haven't already
- Document every check in the patient record
- Use interstate checking for complete prescription history
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register with the PDMP if I don't prescribe controlled substances?
No. PDMP registration is only required for practitioners who prescribe or dispense controlled substances. If you work in a specialty that doesn't involve controlled substance prescribing (pathology, radiology without interventional procedures, etc.), registration is typically not required. However, some states require all DEA registrants to register regardless of prescribing patterns.
What happens if I prescribe a controlled substance without checking the PDMP?
Consequences vary by state and circumstances. In mandatory check states, prescribing without checking can trigger board investigation, citations, required training, administrative fines, or more serious disciplinary action if harm results or a pattern of non-compliance exists. In states where checking is optional, there's no penalty for not checking, though it's still best practice.
Can my staff check the PDMP for me?
Many states allow "delegate" access where authorized staff can query the PDMP on your behalf. However, you remain responsible for reviewing the results and making prescribing decisions. Requirements vary—some states require written delegation agreements, background checks for delegates, or limit the number of delegates per prescriber.
How often do I need to check the PDMP for chronic pain patients?
Requirements vary. Some states mandate checking at specific intervals (every 90 days, with each refill), while others require only initial checks. Best practice is to check at least quarterly for patients on chronic controlled substance therapy, and more frequently if concerns arise. Document your checking protocol in your practice policies.
Is PDMP data available from other states?
Yes, through PMP InterConnect. Over 45 states participate in this interstate data sharing program, allowing you to see a patient's controlled substance prescription history from multiple states through a single query. This is particularly important for patients who live near state borders or who travel frequently.
Conclusion
PDMP compliance is non-negotiable for physicians who prescribe controlled substances. With all 50 states operating PDMPs and the majority mandating both registration and checking, understanding your obligations is essential for avoiding regulatory problems and providing safe patient care.
Use CredentialMate to track your PDMP registrations across all licensed states, receive alerts when requirements change, and maintain documentation for audit readiness.
References
[1]: CDC - Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/php/interventions/prescription-drug-monitoring-programs.html Last verified: January 2026
[2]: FSMB - Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs by State https://www.fsmb.org/siteassets/advocacy/key-issues/prescription-drug-monitoring-programs-by-state.pdf Last verified: January 2026
[3]: PDAPS - PDMP Mandates Dataset https://pdaps.org/datasets/pdmp-mandates Last verified: January 2026
[4]: Florida E-FORCSE https://flhealthsource.gov/FloridaTakeControl/pdmp/ Last verified: January 2026
[5]: Georgia PDMP https://dph.georgia.gov/pdmp Last verified: January 2026
[6]: California CURES https://oag.ca.gov/cures Last verified: January 2026
[7]: New Hampshire PDMP https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/population-health/prescription-drug-monitoring-program Last verified: January 2026
[8]: Oregon Medical Board PDMP https://www.oregon.gov/omb/topics-of-interest/pages/prescription-drug-monitoring-program.aspx Last verified: January 2026