If you are a Physician Assistant (PA) practicing in California, you may have questions about whether you can use prescription pads, what information must appear on your prescription forms, and what additional requirements apply when ordering controlled substances.

California physician assistants have specific authority to furnish or order drugs and devices under the Physician Assistant Practice Act and an applicable practice agreement with a supervising physician and surgeon.

For PAs who issue written orders for controlled substances, California also has specific requirements governing security prescription forms, prescriber verification, DEA registration, and the information printed on the form.

Quick answer

Yes. California physician assistants can use prescription forms to issue authorized drug orders.

California's Medical Board states that PAs are authorized to order or furnish drugs pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 3502.1. A PA's drug order issued under the Physician Assistant Practice Act is treated in the same manner as a prescription of a supervising physician, and the PA's signature is considered the signature of a prescriber for purposes of the applicable Business and Professions Code and Health and Safety Code provisions.

For controlled substances, additional requirements apply.

A California PA may issue drug orders for Schedule II through V controlled substances when authorized under the applicable practice agreement. A PA authorized to issue drug orders for Schedule II controlled substances must register with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), obtain their own DEA number, and complete the required controlled-substance course.

When a PA needs paper forms for controlled-substance prescriptions, the forms must comply with California's Security Prescription Form requirements and must be obtained from a California Department of Justice-approved security printer.

Castle Press is listed by the California Department of Justice as an approved security printer for controlled-substance prescription forms.

Can a Physician Assistant Use Prescription Pads in California?

Yes.

California law allows physician assistants to furnish or order drugs and devices under the requirements of the Physician Assistant Practice Act.

The Medical Board of California explains that PAs may order or furnish a drug pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 3502.1. When ordering a drug, the PA acts on behalf of and as an agent for the supervising physician and surgeon.

The Medical Board also specifically addresses PA prescription pads.

According to the Board, PA prescription pads are no longer required to list the name, address, and telephone number of the supervising physician.

The Board further explains that a PA's authorized drug order is treated in the same manner as a prescription of the supervising physician, and the PA's signature is treated as the signature of a prescriber under the applicable law.

This means California physician assistants can use prescription forms appropriate to their authorized practice.

Does a Physician Assistant Need a Practice Agreement to Order Medications?

Yes.

California PAs do not practice independently. The Medical Board states that every PA must be supervised by a licensed physician and surgeon.

The practice agreement establishes the framework under which the PA practices and can include provisions concerning the furnishing or ordering of drugs and devices.

The Medical Board states that a practice agreement must address:

  • The types of medical services the PA is authorized to perform
  • Policies and procedures for adequate supervision
  • Methods for evaluating the PA's competency and qualifications
  • The furnishing or ordering of drugs or devices
  • Other provisions agreed upon by the PA and physician

The agreement must be completed and signed by the PA and one or more physicians before the PA begins practicing.

For prescription pads, this distinction is important.

A prescription pad does not independently give a PA prescribing authority. The PA's authority comes from California law and the applicable practice agreement.

Can a Physician Assistant Prescribe Controlled Substances?

California PAs may issue drug orders for Schedule II through V controlled substances when authorized under the applicable practice agreement and when the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements are satisfied.

There are additional requirements for controlled substances.

For example, a PA authorized through a practice agreement to issue drug orders for Schedule II controlled substances must:

  • Register with the U.S. DEA
  • Obtain their own DEA number
  • Complete the required one-time controlled-substance course
  • Follow the requirements of the applicable practice agreement
  • Prescribe only within the authority permitted by California law

The California Medical Board specifically states that a PA may not use the supervising physician's DEA number.

Does a Physician Assistant Need Their Own DEA Number?

If the PA will issue controlled-substance drug orders that require DEA registration, the PA must have their own DEA registration.

A PA cannot simply use the DEA number of the supervising physician.

The California Medical Board explicitly states that a PA may not use the supervising physician's DEA number. The PA must register with the DEA and obtain their own DEA number if they will issue drug orders for controlled substances.

This distinction is particularly important when ordering California Security Prescription Pads.

Because the security printer must verify the prescriber's authority and DEA registration for controlled-substance forms, the information supplied to Castle Press needs to correspond to the individual PA whose information will appear on the prescription form.

Does a PA Need a DEA Number for Schedule II Controlled Substances?

Yes.

The California Medical Board states that a PA authorized through a practice agreement to issue drug orders for Schedule II controlled substances must register with the DEA and obtain a DEA number. The PA must also complete the applicable one-time controlled-substance course.

The applicable practice agreement must also authorize the PA's controlled-substance activity.

For Schedule II controlled substances, California law imposes additional requirements on the practice agreement, including provisions addressing the diagnosis of the illness, injury, or condition for which the PA may furnish the Schedule II controlled substance.

Can a PA Use the Supervising Physician's DEA Number?

No.

This is an important distinction for California physician assistants.

The Medical Board specifically states that a PA cannot use the supervising physician's DEA number on controlled-substance drug orders. A PA who will issue controlled-substance drug orders must obtain their own DEA registration when required.

For California Security Prescription Pads, the DEA registration is associated with the individual prescriber information being verified by the security printer.

What Information Must Appear on a California Security Prescription Pad?

California Health and Safety Code section 11162.1 establishes 15 required elements for California Security Prescription Forms.

Among the required information is the preprinted name, category of licensure, license number, federal controlled-substance registration number, and address of the prescribing practitioner.

For a physician assistant, this means the prescription form can identify the PA as the prescriber rather than requiring the supervising physician's name, address, and telephone number.

The Medical Board specifically states that PA prescription pads are no longer required to list the name, address, and telephone number of the supervising physician.

Does the Supervising Physician's Name Have to Be Printed on a PA Prescription Pad?

No.

The California Medical Board specifically states:

PA prescription pads are no longer required to list the name, address, and telephone number of their supervising physician.

The PA's authorized drug order is treated in the same manner as the prescription of the supervising physician, and the PA's signature is considered the signature of a prescriber for the applicable provisions of California law.

This is an important change from older prescription-pad information that may still appear in outdated materials.

When ordering prescription forms today, PAs should use current California requirements rather than relying on older pad templates.

What Security Features Are Required on California Security Prescription Forms?

California Security Prescription Forms have extensive security requirements.

The Medical Board identifies 15 required elements under Health and Safety Code section 11162.1, including:

  • A latent repetitive "void" pattern
  • A California Security Prescription watermark
  • Chemical alteration protection
  • Thermochromic ink
  • Opaque writing protection
  • A description of security features
  • Quantity check boxes
  • A statement regarding the number of drugs prescribed
  • Preprinted prescriber information
  • Refill check boxes
  • Date of origin
  • Do-not-substitute checkbox
  • California DOJ security printer identification
  • A checkbox by each prescriber when multiple prescribers are listed
  • A unique serialized number

These requirements are why California controlled-substance prescription forms are different from ordinary prescription stationery.

Do PA Prescription Pads Need to Be California Security Prescription Pads?

For written prescriptions for Schedule II through V controlled substances, California requires the prescription to be issued on a tamper-resistant prescription form ordered from a state-approved security printer.

The California DOJ states that, effective January 1, 2021, valid California controlled-substance prescription forms must have a 12-character serial number and corresponding barcode that comply with the requirements established by AB 149.

Therefore, a PA who issues paper controlled-substance prescriptions needs to use the applicable California-compliant security forms.

Does California Require Electronic Prescribing for Physician Assistants?

California generally requires prescriptions to be issued electronically, subject to statutory exemptions.

The Medical Board states that Business and Professions Code section 688 requires prescriptions to be issued electronically except under specified circumstances. The Board also recommends that licensed prescribers maintain compliant paper prescription forms in the event a technological or electrical failure prevents an electronic prescription from being issued.

The availability of a paper prescription pad does not eliminate California's electronic-prescribing requirements.

Instead, a compliant paper form can be important when an applicable exception exists or when technology prevents an electronic prescription from being issued.

Why Would a PA Need Paper Prescription Pads?

Even though electronic prescribing is generally required, California recognizes circumstances in which paper prescription forms may still be necessary.

The Medical Board recommends that licensed prescribers have paper prescription forms available that meet the requirements of Health and Safety Code section 11162.1 if a technological or electrical failure prevents a prescription from being issued electronically.

For a physician assistant, having compliant paper forms available can therefore provide a backup when paper prescribing is legally permitted.

For controlled substances, the paper form must meet the applicable California security requirements.

Does Castle Press Need to Verify a Physician Assistant?

Yes.

California law requires security printers to verify the prescriber before printing controlled-substance prescription forms.

Health and Safety Code section 11161.5 requires a security printer to verify with the appropriate licensing board that the prescriber possesses a license and current prescribing privileges permitting the prescribing of controlled substances with the federal DEA.

The California DOJ Security Printer Program likewise states that security printers must have a means of verifying a prescriber's state licensure and prescribing privileges.

For a physician assistant, the applicable licensing authority is the Physician Assistant Committee.

California DOJ's security printer guidelines specifically identify the Physician Assistant Committee as the licensing authority for verification of California physician assistants.

Does Castle Press Need My DEA Registration?

For controlled-substance security prescription forms, California DOJ security printer guidelines require verification of the prescriber's DEA registration.

The guidelines state that the security printer must obtain a copy of the DEA registration of every prescriber preprinted on the prescription form, including repeat orders unless an approved alternative verification method is used.

The printer must verify that:

  • The DEA registration has not expired
  • The prescriber is authorized to write the applicable controlled substances
  • The name on the DEA registration matches the name being printed on the prescription form
  • The verification has been documented

This is why Castle Press may request a copy of a PA's DEA registration when producing California Security Prescription Pads for controlled substances.

Why Can't a PA Just Provide the Supervising Physician's DEA Number?

Because the PA must use their own DEA registration when a DEA registration is required for the PA's controlled-substance prescribing authority.

California's Medical Board expressly states that a physician assistant cannot use the supervising physician's DEA number.

Consequently, providing a supervising physician's DEA number in place of the PA's own registration would not satisfy the applicable prescriber verification requirements.

The prescription form should contain the appropriate information for the prescriber whose drug order is being issued.

What Does Castle Press Verify Before Printing?

For California Security Prescription Pads involving controlled substances, the security printer verification process is designed to confirm that the prescriber is appropriately licensed and authorized.

California law requires verification of the prescriber's license and current prescribing privileges before controlled-substance forms are printed.

California DOJ's security printer guidelines also require verification of DEA registration information, including its expiration status, the prescriber's controlled-substance authority, and the name that will appear on the form.

For a physician assistant, this makes accurate ordering information especially important.

Can a Physician Assistant Have a Multi-Prescriber Prescription Pad?

Yes, California Security Prescription Forms can list multiple prescribers.

California law requires a checkbox by the name of each prescriber when a prescription form lists multiple prescribers. The prescriber issuing the prescription identifies themselves by checking the applicable box.

This can be useful for medical groups and practices where several physicians and PAs work together.

Castle Press offers California Security Prescription Pad configurations for one through ten prescribers, allowing practices to create a form around their provider group.

Each prescriber listed on a controlled-substance form remains subject to the applicable verification requirements.

Can a PA and Physician Share One Prescription Pad?

California allows security prescription forms to list multiple prescribers, provided the form complies with the applicable requirements.

A medical practice could therefore have a form designed with information for multiple authorized prescribers.

The form must include the required information for each prescriber, and the applicable checkbox must identify which prescriber is issuing the prescription.

The fact that a PA and physician appear on the same pad does not change the PA's individual scope of authority or the physician's responsibilities.

Each provider must issue prescriptions within their own legal authority.

What Should a Physician Assistant Have Ready When Ordering From Castle Press?

Having current information available can help make the ordering process smoother.

A California PA ordering security prescription forms may need to have information such as:

  • Full legal name
  • California PA license information
  • Practice address
  • DEA registration, when applicable
  • DEA registration information for controlled-substance forms
  • Information to be preprinted on the prescription form
  • Preferred prescription pad size
  • Number of prescribers to appear on the form
  • Practice or organization information
  • Any requested logo or layout information

For controlled-substance forms, California's security printer requirements make accurate and current prescriber information particularly important.

What Happens If My DEA Registration Has Expired?

The security printer guidelines require verification that the DEA registration is not expired.

If a DEA registration supplied for an order is expired, Castle Press may need updated information before the order can proceed.

Keeping the DEA registration current and providing updated documentation when requested can help avoid delays in the verification process.

What If My Practice Address Has Changed?

Address information is particularly important for controlled-substance prescription forms.

California law requires controlled-substance prescription forms to be shipped to the prescriber's address on file and verified with the DEA or Medical Board of California. The delivery must also be handled using procedures designed to document receipt.

If a PA has recently changed practice locations or other relevant registration information, the appropriate records should be updated before ordering new security prescription forms.

An address discrepancy may require additional verification.

What Happens If My Prescription Pads Are Lost or Stolen?

California treats controlled-substance prescription forms as security-sensitive documents.

The California DOJ states that lost or stolen prescription forms or pads should be reported to local law enforcement and must be reported to CURES.

The Medical Board's prescription-pad guidance also describes reporting requirements for lost or stolen tamper-resistant prescription forms.

Physician assistants should therefore maintain appropriate procedures for securing prescription pads and responding promptly if forms are lost or stolen.

What About CURES Requirements for Physician Assistants?

California's CURES requirements apply to physician assistants who are authorized to prescribe, order, administer, or furnish controlled substances.

The Medical Board specifically lists physician assistants among the healthcare practitioners required to consult CURES under the applicable controlled-substance prescribing rules.

The CURES requirement is separate from the prescription-printing process.

In other words, obtaining a California Security Prescription Pad does not replace the PA's obligation to comply with applicable CURES requirements.

Why Choose Castle Press for California PA Prescription Pads?

Castle Press is listed by the California Department of Justice as an approved security printer for controlled-substance prescription forms. The DOJ's current approved-printer list identifies Castle Press at its Anaheim location and lists its Rx Pad website and contact information.

Castle Press specializes in California Security Prescription Pads and produces forms designed around the requirements applicable to California controlled-substance prescription printing.

Available options include:

  • 4" x 5" pocket-size prescription pads
  • 8" x 3.3" desk-size prescription pads
  • Options for one through ten prescribers
  • Two-part prescription forms
  • 50 prescription sets per pad
  • Custom name and address layouts
  • Black-and-white logo options
  • Serialized numbering
  • Corresponding barcode
  • California security features

For physician assistants, Castle Press can produce prescription forms with the appropriate PA information rather than relying on outdated templates that require the supervising physician's name and contact information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a physician assistant use a prescription pad in California?

Yes. California PAs are authorized to order or furnish drugs under Business and Professions Code section 3502.1, subject to the requirements of the Physician Assistant Practice Act and applicable practice agreement.

Can a California PA prescribe controlled substances?

A PA may issue drug orders for Schedule II through V controlled substances when authorized under the applicable practice agreement and when the applicable requirements are satisfied.

Does a PA need their own DEA number?

A PA who is authorized to issue controlled-substance drug orders requiring DEA registration must obtain their own DEA registration. A PA may not use the supervising physician's DEA number.

Does a PA prescription pad need the supervising physician's name?

No. The California Medical Board states that PA prescription pads are no longer required to list the supervising physician's name, address, and telephone number.

Does a PA need a California Security Prescription Pad?

For written prescriptions for Schedule II through V controlled substances, California requires a tamper-resistant prescription form ordered from a state-approved security printer.

Does Castle Press verify a PA's license?

California security printers must verify the prescriber's license and current prescribing privileges before printing controlled-substance prescription forms.

Does Castle Press need a copy of my DEA registration?

For controlled-substance security prescription forms, California DOJ guidelines require the security printer to obtain and verify the DEA registration of each prescriber preprinted on the form, subject to an approved alternative verification method.

Can a PA use a supervising physician's DEA number?

No. California's Medical Board expressly states that a PA cannot use the supervising physician's DEA number.

Can a PA and physician share one prescription pad?

California Security Prescription Forms can list multiple prescribers. When multiple prescribers are listed, the form must have a checkbox by each prescriber's name so the prescriber issuing the prescription can identify themselves.

Do California PA prescription pads need a serial number?

Yes, when the form is a California Security Prescription Form for controlled substances. California requires unique serialization, and current requirements include a 12-character serial number and corresponding barcode.

Are California prescription pads still necessary if prescribing is electronic?

California generally requires electronic prescribing, subject to statutory exemptions. The Medical Board nevertheless recommends that licensed prescribers maintain compliant paper forms for circumstances such as technological or electrical failures that prevent electronic prescribing.

What should I provide when ordering a PA prescription pad?

For a California Security Prescription Pad, have your current professional license information, practice information, and, when applicable, DEA registration information available. The security printer may need to verify the information before production.

Order California Security Prescription Pads for Physician Assistants From Castle Press

California physician assistants have specific authority to order or furnish medications under California law and their applicable practice agreements.

For controlled substances, additional requirements apply, including appropriate practice-agreement authority, DEA registration where required, CURES compliance, and use of compliant California Security Prescription Forms for written controlled-substance prescriptions.

Castle Press is a California Department of Justice-approved security printer specializing in California Security Prescription Pads.

Castle Press offers prescription pad options for physician assistants including:

  • 4" x 5" pocket-size pads
  • 8" x 3.3" desk-size pads
  • One through ten prescribers
  • Two-part forms
  • 50 prescription sets per pad
  • Custom provider and practice information
  • Black-and-white logo options
  • Serialized numbering and corresponding barcode
  • California-required security features

If you are a California physician assistant ordering prescription pads for a new practice, replacing an existing supply, or adding your information to a multi-prescriber form, having your current license and applicable DEA information ready can help make the ordering process more efficient.

Need California Security Prescription Pads for a Physician Assistant?

Contact Castle Press to review available pad sizes, multi-prescriber options, security features, and ordering requirements.

Official Sources

Important: This article provides general information and is not legal or regulatory advice. Requirements can change. Confirm current requirements with the appropriate authority.