1. (1) Renewal of an Alabama Controlled Substances Certificate shall be annually on or before December 31 of each year.
2. (2) An applicant for renewal of an Alabama Controlled Substances Certificate shall submit to the Board the required certificate fee of $150.00.
3. (3) Before renewing an Alabama Controlled Substances Certificate, the applicant shall have a current registration to access the Controlled Substances Prescription Database established and maintained by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
4. (4) Before renewing an Alabama Controlled Substances Certificate, an applicant shall have a current and appropriate registration issued by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

5. (5) The applicant shall disclose whether:

   1. (a) Applicant's privilege for dispensing or prescribing controlled substances has ever been suspended, restricted, voluntarily surrendered while under investigation, or revoked in any state.
   2. (b) Applicant has ever been convicted of any state or federal crime relating to any controlled substance or driving under the influence (DUI).
   3. (c) Any Federal Drug Enforcement Administration registration ever held by applicant has ever been suspended, restricted, revoked or voluntarily surrendered while under investigation.
   4. (d) Applicant's staff privileges at any hospitals have ever been suspended, restricted, or revoked for any reason related to the prescribing or dispensing of controlled substances.
   5. (e) Applicant is currently suffering from any condition that impairs their judgment or that would otherwise adversely affect their ability to practice medicine in a competent, ethical, and professional manner.
   6. (f) Within the past five years, applicant has raised the issue of any physical or psychiatric health disorder as a defense, mitigation, or explanation for their actions during any administrative or judicial proceeding or investigation; any inquiry or other proceeding; or any proposed termination by an educational institution; employer; government agency; professional organization; or licensing authority.

   7. (g) Applicant has read and understood the following statement:

      The Board recognizes that licensees encounter potentially impairing health conditions just as their patients and other health care providers do, including psychiatric or physical illnesses which may impact cognition, as well as substance use disorders. The Board expects its licensees to address their health concerns, both mental and physical, in a timely manner to ensure patient safety. Licensees should seek appropriate medical care and should limit their medical practice when appropriate and as needed. The Board encourages licensees to utilize the services of the Alabama Professionals Health Program, a physician advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and wellness of medical professionals in a confidential manner. The failure to adequately address a health condition, where the licensee is unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients, can result in the Board taking action against the license to practice medicine.

   8. (h) Applicant dispenses controlled substances, other than pharmaceutical samples, from any practice location.

Author: Alabama Board of Medical Examiners

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §20-2-51, Act No. 2013-256 (Amendment to §20-2-214).

History: New Rule: Filed November 14, 2013; effective December 19, 2013. Amended: Published December 30, 2022; effective February 13, 2023. Amended: Published March 31, 2025; effective May 15, 2025.