Building a Controlled Substance Program: 7 Steps to Compliance

Welcome to our Building a Controlled Substance Program: 7 Steps to Compliance Course!

This course is designed to take your foundational knowledge of DEA regulations—covered in our “Guide to DEA Compliance in Veterinary Medicine”—and transform it into a practical, actionable compliance program tailored to your veterinary practice.

Whether you are establishing compliance for the first time in a new practice or restructuring an existing program, this course will guide you through the step-by-step process of building a comprehensive compliance system. You’ll learn how to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), implement security measures, establish recordkeeping protocols, and train your team—all while ensuring long-term compliance with DEA regulations.

Beyond meeting regulatory requirements, this course focuses on fostering a culture of compliance and accountability within your team. By the end, you’ll have the tools and knowledge to create a sustainable, audit-ready compliance program that protects your practice, your staff, and your patients.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Assess Your Practice’s Compliance Needs – Evaluate your current processes, identify gaps, and determine specific compliance requirements.
• Design Your Compliance Program Framework – Structure your Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to cover all key areas of controlled substance management.
• Establish Secure Handling & Inventory Protocols – Implement proper storage, access control, and inventory tracking to prevent loss or diversion.
• Implement Effective Recordkeeping Practices – Develop a clear, compliant system for tracking ordering, dispensing, and disposal.
• Train Staff & Prevent Diversion Risks – Create staff training programs and diversion prevention strategies to ensure accountability.
• Develop Disposal & Audit Procedures – Establish proper disposal methods and set up internal audits to maintain ongoing compliance.
• Roll Out & Maintain Your Compliance Program – Successfully implement, train staff, and continuously improve your compliance SOP.

This course takes 2 hours to complete.

Let’s Get Started!