The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released materials in March 2023 related to the new Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act. The Act requires new or renewing DEA licensees, as of June 27, 2023, to have completed a total of at least eight hours of training on opioid or other substance use disorders and the appropriate treatment of pain.
What is the MATE Act and what does it mean for CME?
The DEA now requires that the nearly 2 million DEA licensees nationally demonstrate that they have completed 8 hours of relevant accredited education before they obtain a new license or renew their current licenses.
What is the goal for the new requirement?
"Given the urgency of the nation’s overdose crisis, the importance of practitioners receiving training in substance use disorders (SUD) cannot be overstated. Incorporating training on SUD into routine healthcare will enable practitioners to screen more widely for substance use disorders, treat pain appropriately, prevent substance misuse, and engage people in life-saving interventions.” -SAMHSA
How many hours of CME credit are required?
Eight.
When must clinicians complete the requirement?
Beginning June 27, 2023, practitioners must have completed the one-time education requirement before applying for a license for the first time or to have their license renewed.
How often are DEA licenses renewed?
DEA licenses renew every three years.
What clinicians must fulfill the requirement?
All DEA-registered practitioners, with the exception of practitioners that are solely veterinarians.
What clinicians are deemed to have already satisfied this training requirement?
Where can I obtain the required training hours?
Many options will be available, but the OSMA suggests the AMA CME Course on the MATE Act. CME activities listed on this page can be taken in any combination to fulfill the eight-hour requirement. Free activities are listed as such.