DEA Announces Teleprescribing Flexibility Extension Through 2026
Media Contact: Bryan Black
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Today,
December 30, 2025, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and
United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a fourth temporary extension of telemedicine flexibilities for the prescribing
of controlled medications. This extension will last through December 31, 2026.
The current temporary extension was set to expire on December 31, 2025,
and its conclusion without extension would have had a detrimental impact on nurse practitioners (NPs) and their patients. It is also important to note that this extension will also
apply to the prescribing of buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use
disorder, which was included in a separate rule earlier this year. The DEA clarified
that the temporary extension, which allows for broader authority, will also
apply to buprenorphine for 2026.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is pleased to see this extension announced which will prevent the disruption of care for patients. In conjunction with the Alliance for Connected Care, an advocacy coalition which AANP is a member of, AANP has advocated with other health care stakeholders for this extension. DEA cited this advocacy in the rule, noting that the agency has “received numerous communications from patients, providers and other stakeholders warning that expiration of the current telemedicine flexibilities, without further regulation, could potentially and abruptly limit patients’ access to care until promulgation of a final set of regulations.”
The agency states that this extension will:
- Prevent disruption of care.
- Prevent a backlog of patients needing in-person appointments.
- Allow for a smooth transition.
- Provide adequate time for implementation.
As this extension expires on December 31, 2026, AANP will continue to engage with DEA and advocate for a permanent rule which provides the necessary flexibilities with appropriate safeguards. We will continue to monitor the agency actions and provide updates on the permanent rulemaking process as they become available.
###
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 461,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NPs' patients and other health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®, AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. To locate an NP in your community, visit npfinder.com. For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org.