Frequently Asked Questions

DOH may not renew the license of a licensee who fails to complete this continuing education requirement.

The course may be taken live or through distance learning from any one of the approved providers.

www.cebroker.com

• Go to the course search, under “All Subjects,” click the drop-down menu.
• Click on “Prescribing Controlled Substances.”
• Once the courses are approved, then the Prescribing Controlled Substances tab will lead to registration for the available CE courses.

Please visit www.cebroker.com to view all profession-specific board approved providers.

A minimum of 2 hours.

Yes. Dental Residency Permits and Dental Teaching Permits are not required to take the course.

Yes. At each renewal, Dentists must completed a minimum of 2 hours of continuing education on the safe and effective prescribing of controlled substance.

No. This is not a requirement of the new controlled substances law. After the passing of CS/CS/HB 21, only the section numbering and title for Section 456.44, Controlled Substance Prescribing, changed to: Section 456.44(3) Standards of Practice for Treatment of Chronic Nonmalignant Pain.

The language did not change and reads:

S. 456.44(3)(d) states, in part, “The patient shall be seen by the registrant at regular intervals, not to exceed 3 months, to assess the efficacy of treatment, ensure that controlled substance therapy remains indicated, evaluate the patient’s progress toward treatment objectives, consider adverse drug effects, and to review the etiology of the pain. Continuation or modification of therapy shall depend on the registrant’s evaluation of the patient’s progress. If treatment goals are not being achieved, despite medication adjustments, the registrant shall reevaluate the appropriateness of continued treatment. The registrant shall monitor patient compliance in medication usage, related treatment plans, controlled substance agreements, and indications of substance abuse or diversion at a minimum of 3-month intervals.

No. The legislature did not carve out an exemption for prescribers in pain management clinics who prescribe Schedule II opioid controlled substances for the treatment of acute pain. They are subject to the 3 and up to 7-day supply limits and to the labeling requirements for “ACUTE PAIN EXCEPTION” (for 4-7 day supply) and “NONACUTE PAIN” (for greater than 7-day supply).

The law is silent and does not reference the filling of out-of-state prescriptions (which may or may not comply with Florida’s new requirements). The law does not set forth a prohibition on filling them.

Yes. If the “note” is transmitted with or considered to be part of the actual electronic prescription to be transmitted to the pharmacist, then the annotation of “Acute Pain Exception” or “Non-Acute Pain” would be acceptable.

If a prescription for a Schedule II opioid does not meet the requirements as specified in the law, the pharmacist should follow their current standard policy and procedures by contacting the prescribing practitioner to verify written information contained within the prescription. Any change in the prescription should be promptly reduced to writing and properly annotated based on your current pharmacy practice.