What is required for a prescriber to be able to prescribe controlled substances in Minnesota?

To prescribe controlled substances in Minnesota, a prescriber must have a current federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number. This requirement stems from the federal Controlled Substances Act, which mandates that any healthcare provider wishing to prescribe controlled substances must be registered with the DEA. The DEA number is essential because it allows the prescriber to legally prescribe substances that are classified as controlled due to their potential for abuse and dependency.

While a state license is necessary to practice in Minnesota, it is not sufficient on its own to prescribe controlled substances. Additionally, specific training programs may be required for certain categories of prescribing (such as within the context of specific patient populations or medication types), but these are not universally mandated for all prescribers of controlled substances. Registration with the state pharmacy board is also important for overall practice regulations but does not replace the federal requirement of holding a DEA number.

Thus, having a current DEA number is fundamental and serves as the correct answer in this context, as it is an explicit requirement that allows prescribers to engage in the lawful prescribing of controlled substances.