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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>73818</law_id><section_number>54.1-3422</section_number><catch_line>Controlled substances registration certificate required in addition to other requirements; exemptions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>54.1-3415</reference><reference>54.1-3423</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="34">Drug Control Act</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Every <span class="dictionary">person</span> who <span class="dictionary">manufactures</span>, <span class="dictionary">distributes</span> or <span class="dictionary">dispenses</span> any substance that is controlled in <span class="dictionary">Schedules</span> I through V or who proposes to engage in the <span class="dictionary">manufacture</span>, distribution or <span class="dictionary">dispensing</span> of any such <span class="dictionary">controlled substance</span> except permitted pharmacies, those <span class="dictionary">persons</span> who are licensed pharmacists, those <span class="dictionary">persons</span> who are licensed physician assistants, and those <span class="dictionary">persons</span> who are licensed <span class="dictionary">practitioners</span> of medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, dentistry, optometry, nursing, or veterinary medicine shall obtain annually a <span class="dictionary">controlled substances</span> registration certificate issued by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. This registration shall be in addition to other licensing or permitting requirements enumerated in this chapter or otherwise required by <span class="dictionary">law</span>. <a id="paragraph-265429" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3422/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Registration under this section and under all other applicable registration requirements shall entitle the registrant to possess, <span class="dictionary">manufacture</span>, <span class="dictionary">distribute</span>, <span class="dictionary">dispense</span>, perform laboratory analysis, or conduct research with those substances to the extent authorized by this registration and in conformity with the other provisions of this chapter. <a id="paragraph-265430" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3422/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The following <span class="dictionary">persons</span> need not register and may possess <span class="dictionary">controlled substances</span> listed on <span class="dictionary">Schedules</span> I through VI: <a id="paragraph-265431" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3422/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> An <span class="dictionary">agent</span> or employee of any holder of a <span class="dictionary">controlled substance</span> registration certificate or of any <span class="dictionary">practitioner</span> listed in subsection A of this section as exempt from the requirement for registration, if such <span class="dictionary">agent</span> or employee is acting in the usual course of his business or employment; <a id="paragraph-265432" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3422/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> A common or <span class="dictionary">contract</span> carrier or warehouseman, or his employee, whose <span class="dictionary">possession</span> is in the usual course of business or employment; or <a id="paragraph-265433" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3422/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> An ultimate user or a <span class="dictionary">person</span> in <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of any <span class="dictionary">controlled substance</span> pursuant to a lawful <span class="dictionary">order</span> of a <span class="dictionary">prescriber</span> or in lawful <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of a Schedule V substance. <a id="paragraph-265434" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3422/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> A separate registration is required at each principal place of business or professional practice where the applicant <span class="dictionary">manufactures</span>, <span class="dictionary">distributes</span>, or <span class="dictionary">dispenses</span> <span class="dictionary">controlled substances</span>. <a id="paragraph-265435" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3422/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1972, c. 798, &#xA7; 54-524.47:2; 1988, c. 765; 1996, cc. 408, 468, 496; 1998, c. 490; 2001, cc. 243, 465; 2020, c. 941.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
