The MATE Act and Where To Get Training

What is the MATE Act?

The Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act includes a mandatory 8-hour training accreditation for all healthcare practitioners who prescribe controlled drugs.

The MATE Act is a new piece of legislation that came into effect on June 27, 2023. It details the training requirements for all healthcare professionals with a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration who prescribe controlled substances. This applies to all professionals with this registration, including doctors, physicians, fellows, and residents. ^[1]

The required training involves at least eight hours of in-person or online learning relating to the treatment and management of substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder. This allows the practitioner to prescribe medications classified as Schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled substances. ^[2]

Who needs to complete the training?

Anyone with a DEA registration who prescribes controlled substances must complete this training.

Any professional applying for a new DEA registration or applying for their three-year renewal must complete this training to meet the requirements for prescribing controlled substances. The only practitioners that this does not apply to are those who work solely as veterinarians. ^[3]

Those who have already completed this training before the MATE Act came into effect will not have to repeat their training but must be able to demonstrate their completed hours. ^[2]

Training must be completed before applying for registration or renewal and applicants should check the box on their application form to indicate that it has been completed. ^[1]

Is training a one-off or annual requirement?

This training only needs to be completed once.

The required eight hours of training can be completed once, before a new or renewed license is given, and does not need to be repeated. The eight hours can consist of any combination of classroom, online, seminars, or workshops, and must include information about all substance use disorders, not just opioid use disorder. ^[1]

Resources for MATE training

Resources for MATE Act training are available on various websites and through several organizations, including:

• https://www.cmepassport.org/ CME Passport has various educational programs available that contribute to the required eight hours and the website can be used to help keep track of completed training.
• https://www.samhsa.gov/practitioner-training The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has compiled numerous tools and educational activities that can count towards MATE training requirements.
• https://pcssnow.org/ Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS) is funded by SAMHSA and includes training specific to substance use disorders.
• https://edhub.ama-assn.org/course/302 The American Medical Association’s Education Hub (AMA Ed Hub) lists many accredited courses and modules that can count towards training requirements.

For completed training to meet requirements, it must be provided by an accredited group, which includes: ^[4]

• The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
• The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP)
• American Medical Association (AMA)
• The American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• The American Dental Association (ADA)
• The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS)
• The American Psychiatric Association (APA)
• The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
• The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)

MATE FAQs

Why has this new requirement been enacted?

Due to the overdose crisis and increasing number of overdose deaths in the US, particularly involving opioids, physicians must have a clear understanding of substance use disorders, how to prevent and treat affected individuals effectively, and how to appropriately manage the prescribing of controlled substances, in order to save lives. ^[5]

If I already have a DEA license, can I renew it without this training?

No, it is necessary to complete the required eight hours of training to get a new or renewed license. ^[1]

Will I have to repeat this 8-hour training requirement when I renew my license in three years?

No. As long as this training is completed for a current license, it is not necessary to repeat it when the license is due for renewal after three years. ^[6]

Do these eight hours of training have to be completed within one activity?

No, the eight-hour requirement can be met through any combination of any number of activities, including online courses, workshops, and seminars. ^[1]

How do I know if I have already met the requirements?

Some people may have already met the requirement, including: ^[3]

• People who are board-certified in addiction psychiatry or medicine.
• People who graduated or renewed their license within five years of June 27, 2023, and completed eight hours or more of work or training related to substance use disorders within that time.
• People who completed training on prescribing buprenorphine to meet requirements for the DATA-2000 waiver (MAT Act) can include this training time in the eight hours required for the MATE Act.