Removal of DATA Waiver (X-Waiver) Requirement

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 removed the federal requirement for providers to have a DATA Waiver (X-waiver) to prescribe medications for the treatment of OUD. The act amended the Controlled Substances Act. Depending on state law, practitioners who have a current DEA registration with Schedule III authority will be able to prescribe buprenorphine for OUD starting now. Additionally, all persons who obtain or renew a controlled substances license from the DEA will be required to receive eight hours of training on SUD, with certain exceptions. Training requirements for DEA registration are being worked on by SAMHSA and DEA. SAMHSA is no longer accepting waiver applications. The removal of the federal requirements for practitioners to obtain a waiver will make it easier for qualified practitioners to prescribe buprenorphine, which builds on the Department of Health and Human Services' Overdose Prevention Strategy.