MATE Act Training Requirements (2026 Guide)

What is the MATE Act?

The MATE Act (Medication Access and Training Expansion Act) is Section 1263 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. It took effect on June 27, 2023.

The law requires all DEA-registered practitioners to complete a one-time, 8-hour training on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders. It replaced the previous DATA waiver (X-waiver) system for prescribing buprenorphine.

Key point: This is a one-time requirement. Once you've completed 8 hours of qualifying training, you don't need to repeat it for future DEA renewals.

Who Must Complete MATE Training?

Required for all practitioners with DEA registration to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled medications:

• Physicians (MD/DO)
• Physician assistants
• Nurse practitioners
• Dentists
• All other licensed practitioners with DEA registration

Exception: Veterinarians are exempt.

Who Is Exempt?

You may already satisfy the requirement if you:

1. Hold board certification in addiction medicine or psychiatry from ABMS, ABAM, or AOA

2. Graduated within 5 years (of June 27, 2023) from a US medical, PA, or NP school that included 8+ hours of substance use disorder curriculum

3. Previously held an X-waiver (not a 30E waiver) — your prior training counts

What Topics Must the Training Cover?

The 8 hours must address:

• Treatment and management of patients with opioid and other substance use disorders
• Appropriate clinical use of all FDA-approved medications for substance use disorder treatment (buprenorphine, naltrexone, etc.)
• Safe pharmacological management of pain
• Screening, brief intervention, and referral for treatment (SBIRT)

When Do You Need to Complete It?

You must attest to completion when you:

• Apply for a new DEA registration, OR
• Renew your existing DEA registration

Since DEA registrations are valid for 3 years, you'll encounter this at your next renewal if you haven't already completed it.

MATE Act Training Providers: Complete Survey

We surveyed the major providers offering MATE-compliant training. Here's what we found:

Free Options

Paid Options

How to Document Completion

The DEA does not verify your training directly. Here's how it works:

1. Complete qualifying training from an ACCME-accredited provider (or other approved accreditor)
2. Save your certificate — Keep it for your records
3. Attest on your DEA application — Check the box confirming you've completed 8 hours when you apply or renew
4. Retain documentation for at least 3 years (your DEA registration period)

Important: The DEA and SAMHSA do not approve or review individual training content. The burden is on you to ensure your training comes from an approved source.

Approved Training Accreditors

Training must be provided or accredited by one of these organizations:

• Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
• American Medical Association (AMA)
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
• American Society of Addiction Medicine
• American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
• American Psychiatric Association
• American Dental Association
• American Nurses Credentialing Center
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• American Academy of Physician Associates
• State medical society accreditors recognized by ACCME

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I count training I completed before June 2023?

Yes. If you completed qualifying opioid/SUD training before the MATE Act took effect, it counts toward the 8-hour requirement. This includes prior X-waiver training.

Does the training have to be completed in one sitting?

No. The 8 hours can be cumulative across multiple sessions and even multiple providers.

Does MATE training count toward my state CME requirements?

Usually yes. Most MATE-compliant courses are accredited for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit, which counts toward state licensure requirements. Check your state's specific rules.

What happens if I don't complete it?

You won't be able to renew your DEA registration, which means you cannot prescribe controlled substances (Schedule II-V).

I have a 30E waiver — am I exempt?

No. The 30E waiver exemption doesn't apply. You must complete the 8-hour training requirement. However, if you previously held a standard X-waiver with training, that prior training counts.

Official Resources

• SAMHSA MATE Act Resources
• DEA MATE Training Letter (PDF)
• ACCME MATE Act FAQ
• Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023