Do residents require their own DEA number?

• A. Yes, they must have their own
• B. No, they can use the hospital DEA with a special code
• C. They can use the physician's DEA
• D. They can use a state-issued license rather than DEA

Answer: (B)

DEA numbers authorize prescribing controlled substances, and in a hospital training setting, residents typically prescribe under the hospital’s DEA registration with a resident-specific internal code identifying the trainee on each order. This arrangement keeps oversight and accountability clear while avoiding the need for every resident to obtain a separate DEA registration. Using a physician’s personal DEA would misattribute prescriptions and bypass the supervisory chain, and a state license alone does not authorize controlled-substance prescribing. So, the hospital’s DEA with a special resident code is the practical and compliant approach.