EPCS: About EPCS registration

This article will provide resources to help you onboarded with EPCS Registration. 

Overview of Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS) Registration 

To e-prescribe controlled substances, providers must first register for the electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS). You may also see this EPCS registration process called EPCS onboarding, EPCS enrollment, or token management. 

EPCS registration involves these main steps for providers: 

1. Receive a registration invitation via email containing a link and unique code (invite ID). An administrator usually generates this email. 

2. Complete identity proofing with Experian. Note: If you have already completed this in the past, you may be able to skip this step.

• Tips:
  • Provide a personal mobile number during this process to get a unique code via text instead of waiting 5-7 business days for the unique code via mail. Called an Experian Transaction Number (ETN), this unique code is required to continue EPCS registration. 
  • Credit card and driver's license information is optional though recommended. 

3. Associate two-factor authentication to your account. The DEA requires two-factor authentication to prescribe controlled substances. Note: If you have already completed this in the past, you may be able to skip this step.

• Two-factor authentication consists of:  
  • A unique password (passphrase)
  • A token device that generates a different One-Time-Pin (OTP) each time you use the token. It is recommended that providers have both types of tokens available:
    • Hard token device that gets mailed to the address on file with DEA.
    • Soft token app (VIP Access by Symantec) that can be downloaded to your device by going to https://vip.symantec.com/ or finding VIP Access on the app store. Note: DEA requires that the soft token be on a different device from the device you use to prescribe controlled substances.

4. Have an administrator complete Logical Access Control (LAC) to authorize (activate) the provider to e-prescribe controlled substances.