Licensing question when looking for job in Tri-state area

[fyfanatic]

Hello,

I am currently starting my last year of residency in NY. My husband and I are contemplating moving to NJ when I am done with residency because houses are more affordable there. I will be looking for jobs within the tri-state area.

My question is regarding how and when to do the license applications. I was about to apply for a NY license but then what if I get a job in NJ? I don't really want to spend loads of money on applying for 2 different state licenses if I don't have to. Should I wait until I accept a job offer before applying for a license in that state? Or will employers be less willing to offer me a job if I don't have a license at the time of interview? I know it can take several months to get a license but assuming I get a job offer by January/February, that should still leave me enough time to get a license before starting, right?

Please help. Thanks in advance!

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[gutonc]

Start the job search in the fall. Once you have a better idea of where you'll be practicing (like, you have 4 interviews in NJ and none anywhere else) the start the application process. You should be fine.

 

[doc05]

unfortunately this happens. fortunately it's a common issue. keep in mind that depending on the state, it can take 6 months or longer for a license.

 

[Dral]

Definitely varies by state. I had my license in three weeks.

To complicate matters though, you can't get your DEA until you have a license. My DEA took another 3 or 4 weeks.

 

[Raryn]

Definitely varies by state. I had my license in three weeks.

To complicate matters though, you can't get your DEA until you have a license. My DEA took another 3 or 4 weeks.

My license took a few months. I had my DEA within a week. The feds are pretty efficient, or were last year at least.

 

[Dral]

My license took a few months. I had my DEA within a week. The feds are pretty efficient, or were last year at least.

Yeah for my DEA, I submitted and waited for three weeks. I decided to call them. The person says, "Oh yeah, here is you app, I'll work on it". Had it a week later.

 

[DocBlin]

Great question. From my son's experience as of 2014 he applied for 3 licenses in NY, NJ, FL. This was as a chief resident in FM in NJ program in his last 6 months or so. NY was the fastest, taking 3 months+. While FL was the longest taking 6 months<. NJ took 4 months. But understand each state license requires there own DEA# and each has differing requirements. Better to spend a few extra $$s and have everything in place so the minute you obtain a state license you can moonlight or practice the day after you graduate, as my son did. He did Urgent Care in the last 2 months of his residency making in 2 shifts what the expense was for licensing. July 2014 he was working full time in a few Urgent Care centers in NJ & NY. Now he understands why he needed these licenses because he treats in NY, NJ & FL. If he was a few weeks off he can do a shift in the Hamptons in UC or in FL.

 

[fyfanatic]

Thank you for the advice!

My follow up question is should I use FCVS and start it now so that all the documents will be in place when I do know which state I will be working in? I have read negative feedback about fcvs from these forums but they from several years ago, is it worth the money?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Just a clarification about some misinformation above: the DEA number is a federal number and can be used in any state. Some states also require a separate dispensing license; New Jersey for example is one of them.

 

[Dral]

Just a clarification about some misinformation above: the DEA number is a federal number and can be used in any state. Some states also require a separate dispensing license; New Jersey for example is one of them.

Actually it seems both are correct depending on the situation. If one moves, one can transfer their DEA number so to speak. If one practices in multiple states, they need to register in each state.

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/faq/locum_tenens.htm

Either way, one cannot just get a DEA number and use it in a different state without notifying the DEA somehow.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Actually it seems both are correct depending on the situation. If one moves, one can transfer their DEA number so to speak. If one practices in multiple states, they need to register in each state.

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/faq/locum_tenens.htm

Either way, one cannot just get a DEA number and use it in a different state without notifying the DEA somehow.

Correct.

I did not mean to imply that you could have multiple offices, and prescribe in multiple states, without notifying the DEA or having a separate DEA registration. I was responding to the above post by another user (which I admittedly was reading in the car) that seemed to imply that each state needed a separate state-issued controlled substances license in addition to the DEA. I was trying to point out that not every state has that separate registration (apart from the DEA). On re-reading it, it appears that perhaps I misunderstood what the other user was stating.

 

[michaelrack]

If one moves, one can transfer their DEA number so to speak. If one practices in multiple states, they need to register in each state.

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/faq/locum_tenens.htm.

Has anyone done this recently? I have my Dea registered to MS but need to also have it effective in TN. If I want to prescribe controlled substances in both states, do I need to do a whole new application/registration with the DEA for the 2nd state???

 

[gutonc]

Has anyone done this recently? I have my Dea registered to MS but need to also have it effective in TN. If I want to prescribe controlled substances in both states, do I need to do a whole new application/registration with the DEA for the 2nd state???

Do they not have reciprocity agreements? I only have a license in 1 state, but my patients can get Schedule 2 stuff filled in 4 surrounding states without difficulty.

 

[Dral]

Yah I guess best plan is to contact the DEA to find out. There's gotta be a source somewhere that tells us all this info abut reciprocity, state issued things, etc. all in one place.

 

[Dral]

Ok here are the states that require their own license.

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/reg_apps/pract_state_lic_require.htm

 

[Smurfette]

Has anyone done this recently? I have my Dea registered to MS but need to also have it effective in TN. If I want to prescribe controlled substances in both states, do I need to do a whole new application/registration with the DEA for the 2nd state???

If you are going to be prescribing from both states (for instance, if you have one office in MS and one in TN and routinely go back and forth), yes, you need different DEA numbers for each. If you move from one state to another you can just update the address.

I work in two states and therefore have 2 DEA numbers. Whichever state I am physically in at the time of doing the prescription (written or by phone) is the DEA# I have to use. I do not need to know which state my patients are going to fill my prescriptions; in fact, they often cross the border one way or the other to fill it and it's never been a problem (there have probably been pharmacies that have gotten 2 narc scripts from me on the same day with two different DEA numbers. I have different prescription pads at each location.). It's based on the doctor's location, not the patient's.

 

[michaelrack]

Do they not have reciprocity agreements? I only have a license in 1 state, but my patients can get Schedule 2 stuff filled in 4 surrounding states without difficulty.

I plan on physically practicing in both MS and TN

 

[michaelrack]

If you are going to be prescribing from both states (for instance, if you have one office in MS and one in TN and routinely go back and forth), yes, you need different DEA numbers for each. If you move from one state to another you can just update the address.

I work in two states and therefore have 2 DEA numbers. Whichever state I am physically in at the time of doing the prescription (written or by phone) is the DEA# I have to use. I do not need to know which state my patients are going to fill my prescriptions; in fact, they often cross the border one way or the other to fill it and it's never been a problem (there have probably been pharmacies that have gotten 2 narc scripts from me on the same day with two different DEA numbers. I have different prescription pads at each location.). It's based on the doctor's location, not the patient's.

Thank you. I guess if I want to prescribe controlled substances in both states, I will need to cough up $731 for a 2nd DEA #.

It's been over 4 yrs since I prescribed suboxone, and I don't plan on doing it again. For curiosity's sake, if I wanted to have a "suboxone #" on both DEA registrations, would have to repeat the suboxone training for the 2nd DEA registration? And could I do a separate 100 patient suboxone practice in each state???

 

[michaelrack]

So I guess if I wanted to get a 2nd DEA registration for a 2nd state I wanted to physically practice in, I would just go to the site below and do the online PRACTITIONER form?

https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/webforms/jsp/regapps/common/newAppLogin.jsp

 

[Smurfette]

Thank you. I guess if I want to prescribe controlled substances in both states, I will need to cough up $731 for a 2nd DEA #.

It's been over 4 yrs since I prescribed suboxone, and I don't plan on doing it again. For curiosity's sake, if I wanted to have a "suboxone #" on both DEA registrations, would have to repeat the suboxone training for the 2nd DEA registration? And could I do a separate 100 patient suboxone practice in each state???

That is a question better answered by someone in the 2nd state's licensing agency who deals with suboxone...I don't prescribe it and honestly have no idea. Is suboxone training standardized or state-specific? I would assume it would need to be repeated if each state has different requirements.

you can go to the DEA website for the 2nd license AFTER getting any necessary new state DEA permit, if required. (Full disclosure: our credentialing person takes care of this stuff so I don't have to). you do need to have the new practice address in the new state and choose a new registration and not a transfer.

 

[DocBlin]

As I try to understand, The DEA requires you to be registered in each state but easier and as the DEA just told me to have a different DEA# for each state you are writing Rxs in. Anyone? please try to explain for ALL of us??? Otherwise if in NYC will have 1 DEA#, while in NJ will need a second one...

 

[michaelrack]

you can go to the DEA website for the 2nd license AFTER getting any necessary new state DEA permit, if required. (Full disclosure: our credentialing person takes care of this stuff so I don't have to). you do need to have the new practice address in the new state and choose a new registration and not a transfer.

thx, that is very helpful information. Suboxone training is standardized, but I will look into that issue further down the line if necessary.

 

[Winged Scapula]

As I try to understand, The DEA requires you to be registered in each state but easier and as the DEA just told me to have a different DEA# for each state you are writing Rxs in. Anyone? please try to explain for ALL of us??? Otherwise if in NYC will have 1 DEA#, while in NJ will need a second one...

Yes.

You need a separate DEA number for each state you are prescribing in.

Some states also require a controlled substances license in addition to the DEA number (see the table above).

Question: if you work at a VA facility in different states, do you still need separate DEA #s?

 

[gutonc]

Question: if you work at a VA facility in different states, do you still need separate DEA #s?

I think if you ONLY work in VA facilities, you only need 1 DEA #. A few of my friends who work 100% VA positions don't even have to have their own DEA #s as they just use the institutional one.