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Licensure & Registration
for House Staff

Medical Licensure & DEA Registration

In order to prescribe medications in Epic, a trainee must have an NPI Number, licensed with either the Medical Board or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California and a DEA Certificate. In addition, all trainees are also required to register with PECOS and upon issuance of a DEA Certificate, register with CURES. Below you will find the necessary information to help you achieve all of these requirements.


Medical Board of California Licensure

Don't complete your MD application until you read this:

MD Application Tips (PDF)

Osteopathic Medical Board of California Licensure

NPI PECOS: CMS Identity Access Management System

Create one account with the CMSIdentity Access Management System to manage your NPPES & PECOS. Instructions and registration link are as follows:

DEA Registration for Electronic Prescribing for Controlled Substances

UC San Diego trainees, licensed in California, are eligible for fee exempt Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Certification. Fee waived certificates are restricted to use within the course and scope of your UC San Diego training. This applies to affiliate institutions and rotations, however, is not be valid while moonlighting. With a California medical license and DEA certificate, UC San Diego trainees are eligible to prescribe controlled substances electronically (EPCS). Below are links explaining the process.

Enroll with CURES

Upon issuance of your DEA Certificate, you are required by law to enroll with CURES:

  • You may order Controlled and Non-Controlled Prescription Pads Order Form (PDF)
  • You may be eligible to enroll for Electronic Prescribing for Controlled Substances (EPCS)