Who is authorized to prescribe controlled substances under federal law?

The authorization to prescribe controlled substances under federal law is primarily granted to licensed healthcare providers, which include medical doctors (MDs), doctors of osteopathy (DOs), and certain nurse practitioners. This is because these professionals have completed the necessary education and training to assess patients, diagnose conditions, and determine appropriate treatments, including the management of controlled substances.

These licensed healthcare providers must also register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to become authorized prescribers. This registration ensures that those who prescribe controlled substances are monitored and adhere to regulations designed to prevent misuse and abuse of these drugs.

In contrast, other options present roles that do not hold the same prescriptive authority. Licensed pharmacists can dispense medications but do not generally have the authority to prescribe controlled substances unless they hold additional certifications in some jurisdictions. Pharmacy interns are still in training and must work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists without independent prescribing rights. Lastly, having a drug interaction certificate does not confer authority to prescribe; it merely indicates knowledge about potential interactions between medications, which is an important aspect of patient care but not the same as prescriptive authority.