Resources
Physician Dispensing Regulations by State
Most states allow physicians to dispense medications from their offices, but licensing and restrictions vary widely. Select your state for a summary of what applies.
PharmaLink has compiled this information for reference only. State dispensing regulations change frequently — consult an attorney or your state medical or pharmacy board to verify your eligibility to dispense.
Alabama
AllowedAllowed under the state medical license; a permit is required to dispense controlled substances.
Alaska
AllowedAllowed under Medical Board guidelines; physicians should notify the board of intent to dispense.
Arizona
AllowedAllowed for physicians registered with the medical board as dispensing doctors.
Arkansas
Allowed with restrictionsAllowed only with a need-based permit for a specific drug, which typically makes dispensing unfeasible.
California
AllowedAllowed under the state medical license per BPC section 4170, subject to own-patient and labeling rules.
Colorado
AllowedAllowed with no permit or registration; DEA registration required to dispense controlled substances.
Connecticut
AllowedAllowed; a Controlled Substance Registration and small fee are required for controlled substances.
Delaware
AllowedAllowed with no permit; controlled substances require state and DEA registration.
Florida
AllowedAllowed after registering as a dispensing practitioner; Schedule II-III dispensing is prohibited.
Georgia
AllowedAllowed without a permit after written notice to the Georgia Composite Medical Board.
Hawaii
AllowedAllowed after obtaining a wholesale prescription drug distribution license and paying a small fee.
Idaho
AllowedAllowed within the scope of licensure; requires a Prescriber Drug Outlet Registration and small fee.
Illinois
AllowedAllowed for non-controlled drugs under the medical license; controlled substances require a license.
Indiana
AllowedAllowed for physicians, APNs, and PAs in the course of professional practice under the Legend Drug Act.
Iowa
AllowedAllowed for non-controlled drugs; controlled substances require a state registration permit.
Kansas
AllowedAllowed for physicians and PAs, including controlled substances, subject to labeling requirements.
Kentucky
AllowedAllowed with no license; dispensing duties may not be delegated to PAs, NPs, or other staff.
Louisiana
AllowedAllowed with a dispensing physician registration; controlled substances limited to a 48-hour supply.
Maine
AllowedAllowed under the physician's state medical license, subject to storage and labeling requirements.
Maryland
AllowedAllowed after obtaining a dispensing permit from the Maryland Board of Physicians.
Massachusetts
Prohibited / very limitedEffectively prohibited; physicians may dispense only a single dose or enough for immediate needs.
Michigan
AllowedAllowed with a per-location drug control license; controls require a separate controlled substance license.
Minnesota
AllowedAllowed with no permit; for-profit dispensing requires written notice to the Board of Medical Practice.
Mississippi
AllowedAllowed after board registration and 10 hours of pharmacology/dispensing CME; no delegation permitted.
Missouri
AllowedAllowed for physicians and PAs; controlled substances require a Bureau of Narcotics license.
Montana
AllowedAllowed for non-controlled drugs after Board of Pharmacy registration; controlled substances prohibited.
Nebraska
AllowedAllowed with a one-time Dispensing Practitioner Pharmacy License ($625) for each location.
Nevada
AllowedAllowed for physicians, APRNs, and PAs with a $300 Board of Pharmacy dispensing permit.
New Hampshire
AllowedAllowed with no permit; Schedule II limited to a 48-hour and Schedules III-V to a 7-day supply.
New Jersey
Allowed with restrictionsLimited to a 7-day supply, which often makes in-office dispensing impractical.
New Mexico
AllowedAllowed under the medical license; controlled substances require a facility registration ($60/year).
New York
Prohibited / very limitedLimited to a 72-hour supply, with narrow exceptions such as free medication or remote practices.
North Carolina
AllowedAllowed after receiving a state Dispensing Physician Registration; PAs and NPs need their own permit.
North Dakota
AllowedAllowed with no special permit; NPs and PAs may also dispense.
Ohio
AllowedAllowed with a Terminal Distributor of Dangerous Drugs (TDDD) license; sole practitioners may be exempt.
Oklahoma
AllowedAllowed after free registration with the state medical board as a dispensing physician.
Oregon
AllowedAllowed after registering as a dispensing physician with the Oregon Medical Board.
Pennsylvania
AllowedAllowed under the state medical license; dispensing may be delegated to physician assistants.
Rhode Island
AllowedAllowed with no additional permit; controlled substances require registration with the state.
South Carolina
AllowedAllowed; a permit is required for non-owned sites and a state license for controlled substances.
South Dakota
AllowedAllowed after a controlled substances registration and fee; NPs and PAs may dispense with physician approval.
Tennessee
AllowedAllowed with no additional permit, subject to storage and labeling requirements.
Texas
Prohibited / very limitedNot allowed outside a handful of exceptions, such as rural clinics.
Utah
AllowedAllowed under HB 301 (2022) with a Dispensing Medical Practitioner License.
Vermont
AllowedAllowed with no separate license; NPs and PAs may dispense when delegated by the supervising physician.
Virginia
AllowedAllowed with a dispensing license for each physician and the facility, which may be inspected.
Washington
AllowedAllowed with no dispensing permit; PAs and NPs may also dispense.
Washington D.C.
AllowedAllowed; a controlled substances permit ($130) is required to dispense controlled medications.
West Virginia
AllowedAllowed after registering as a dispensing physician; controlled substances limited to 72-hour supplies.
Wisconsin
AllowedAllowed with no special permit, license, or fee, for both controlled and non-controlled drugs.
Wyoming
Prohibited / very limitedNot allowed outside of rare exceptions.