@evelynbernard876: A DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) number is a unique identification number assigned by the U.S. DEA to authorized healthcare providers who are allowed to prescribe controlled substances (Schedules II–V). As a pharmacy technician, you should understand how to perform a basic DEA number validation. This helps identify obvious errors before the prescription is processed. However, the pharmacist is responsible for verifying any concerns about the prescriber’s DEA registration. Step 1: Check the First Two Letters Example: AB1234563 The first two letters provide important information: * 1st letter: Identifies the type of DEA registrant (such as a physician, hospital, pharmacy, or another authorized registrant). * 2nd letter: Usually matches the first letter of the prescriber’s last name. Example: If the prescriber’s last name is Brown, the second letter is often B. Note: Because of changes in DEA registration (such as group practices or business registrations), the second letter may not always match the last name exactly. For the PTCB, remember that it usually does. ⸻ Step 2: Verify the Numbers Ignore the first two letters and use only the seven digits. Example: AB1234563 1️⃣ Add the odd-position digits: 1 + 3 + 5 = 9 2️⃣ Add the even-position digits: 2 + 4 + 6 = 12 3️⃣ Multiply the even total by 2: 12 × 2 = 24 4️⃣ Add both totals: 9 + 24 = 33 5️⃣ Compare the last digit: * Total = 33 → Last digit = 3 * DEA Number ends in 3 ✅ Result: The DEA number is mathematically valid. ⸻ ⚠️ Important PTCB Tip A DEA number that passes the math check is only mathematically valid. It does NOT guarantee that: * The DEA registration is active. * The DEA number belongs to the prescriber. * The prescriber is currently authorized to prescribe controlled substances. The calculation is simply a screening tool used to identify obvious errors. If there are any questions about the DEA number, the pharmacy technician must notify the pharmacist, who will determine whether additional verification is needed. ⸻ 📚 Educational Disclaimer For educational purposes only. This content is intended to help students prepare for the PTCB/PTCE. Always follow your workplace policies and consult the pharmacist for questions involving controlled substance prescriptions or DEA verification. ⸻ #PTCB #PTCE #PharmacyTechnician #CPhT #DEA

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Saturday 01 August 2026 12:48:27 GMT