If you are a veterinarian practicing in California, you may have questions about what type of prescription pad you need, whether veterinarians are required to use electronic prescriptions, and what requirements apply when prescribing controlled substances for animal patients.

California has specific prescription requirements for veterinarians. These requirements are particularly important when a veterinarian writes a prescription for a controlled substance that will be filled by an outside pharmacy.

California veterinarians who prescribe controlled substances must also comply with applicable California and federal requirements involving veterinary licensure, DEA registration, CURES registration, recordkeeping, and prescription security.

For veterinarians who need paper prescription forms, choosing the appropriate California prescription pad is therefore more than a printing decision.

Quick answer

Yes. California veterinarians can use paper prescription pads, and California specifically exempts prescriptions issued by veterinarians from the state's general electronic-prescribing requirement.

California Business and Professions Code section 688 lists a prescription issued by a veterinarian as an exception to the general requirement that prescriptions be issued as electronic data transmission prescriptions.

For controlled substances, however, additional requirements apply.

The California Veterinary Medical Board states that prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances submitted to outside pharmacies must be in written form on a California-compliant security prescription form printed by a California Department of Justice-approved security printer. Schedule III through V controlled substances may also be prescribed using compliant security prescription forms, although California law permits certain oral or electronically transmitted prescriptions for those schedules.

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

Can Veterinarians Use Prescription Pads in California?

Yes.

California veterinarians may issue prescriptions for animal patients using paper prescription forms.

Unlike many other California healthcare practitioners, veterinarians are specifically exempt from the state's general electronic-prescribing mandate. Business and Professions Code section 688 states that the electronic-prescribing requirement does not apply to a prescription issued by a veterinarian.

This makes paper prescription pads particularly relevant to veterinary practices.

A veterinarian may provide a prescription to a client for the purpose of obtaining medication from an outside pharmacy, subject to the requirements that apply to the medication and the circumstances of the prescription.

For controlled substances, the prescription must also comply with applicable California and federal controlled-substance requirements.

Are Veterinarians Required to Use Electronic Prescriptions?

No.

California's general electronic-prescribing law contains a specific exemption for prescriptions issued by veterinarians.

Business and Professions Code section 688 states that the general electronic prescription requirement does not apply when the prescription is issued by a veterinarian.

This is an important distinction for veterinary practices.

A veterinarian can therefore continue to use paper prescription pads without relying on one of the technological or other exceptions that apply to many other prescribers.

For controlled substances, however, the type of prescription and the controlled-substance schedule still determine the applicable requirements.

Do Veterinarians Need Special Prescription Pads for Controlled Substances?

Yes.

When a veterinarian writes a written prescription for a Schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled substance, California requires the prescription to be issued on a tamper-resistant controlled-substance prescription form ordered from a state-approved security printer.

The California Veterinary Medical Board specifically reminds veterinarians that California Security Prescription Forms must comply with the security requirements established by California law.

This means that an ordinary prescription pad is not sufficient for a written controlled-substance prescription that requires a California Security Prescription Form.

The form must be produced by a security printer approved by the California Department of Justice.

What Is a California Security Prescription Pad?

A California Security Prescription Pad is a prescription form manufactured to meet California's specific security requirements for controlled-substance prescriptions.

The California DOJ states that valid California controlled-substance prescription forms must contain a 12-character serial number and corresponding barcode meeting the requirements established by Assembly Bill 149.

The California Veterinary Medical Board identifies the required security elements, including:

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

These requirements distinguish a California Security Prescription Pad from an ordinary veterinary prescription pad.

Does a Veterinarian Need a DEA Registration?

A veterinarian who prescribes controlled substances must have the appropriate DEA registration.

The California Veterinary Medical Board states that a veterinarian prescribing controlled substances to an outside pharmacy must possess:

  • A valid California veterinary license
  • A DEA registration in the veterinarian's own individual name, unless an institutional exception applies
  • Proper CURES registration

A veterinarian cannot prescribe controlled substances simply by using another veterinarian's DEA registration.

The Veterinary Medical Board specifically states that a veterinarian may administer and dispense controlled substances under another veterinarian's DEA registration in certain circumstances, but cannot prescribe controlled substances without their own individual DEA registration.

Can a Veterinarian Use Another Veterinarian's DEA Number?

No, not for prescribing controlled substances.

The California Veterinary Medical Board distinguishes between administering or dispensing controlled substances under another veterinarian's registration and prescribing them.

A veterinarian cannot prescribe controlled substances using another veterinarian's DEA registration. The veterinarian who is prescribing needs the appropriate individual DEA registration.

This distinction is important when ordering California Security Prescription Pads.

The DEA information associated with a security prescription form needs to correspond to the veterinarian whose prescribing information appears on the form.

What Information Must Appear on a California Security Prescription Form?

California Health and Safety Code section 11162.1 establishes the required information and security features for controlled-substance prescription forms.

The California Veterinary Medical Board identifies the required preprinted prescriber information as including:

  • Prescriber's name
  • Category of licensure
  • License number
  • Federal controlled-substance registration number
  • Prescriber's address

The prescription itself must also contain information required under Health and Safety Code section 11164.

For a controlled-substance prescription, this includes information such as:

  • Prescriber's address and telephone number
  • Name or identifying information for the ultimate user
  • Refill information
  • Name of the controlled substance
  • Quantity
  • Strength
  • Directions for use
  • Address of the person for whom the controlled substance is prescribed
  • Signature and date of the prescriber

Veterinary prescriptions also involve an animal patient, so appropriate veterinary medical records must contain the required prescription information.

Does the Prescription Need the Animal's Name?

Veterinary prescription records have requirements that are different from human prescriptions.

The California Veterinary Medical Board states that California regulations require a record of all prescribed medications in the animal patient's medical record, including information such as the dose, frequency, and quantity.

For controlled-substance reporting, the Veterinary Medical Board also identifies the animal patient's name as information associated with the CURES reporting record.

Veterinary practices should therefore make sure that their prescription and medical-record procedures adequately identify the animal patient and the client associated with the prescription.

What Controlled Substances Require a California Security Prescription Form?

California's controlled-substance prescription requirements apply to Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances.

The California DOJ states that any written prescription for a Schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled substance must be issued on a tamper-resistant prescription form ordered from a state-approved security printer.

The California Veterinary Medical Board provides additional guidance specifically for veterinarians.

For Schedule II controlled substances:

  • The prescription must be written on a California-compliant security prescription form when submitted to an outside pharmacy.
  • No refills may be authorized.
  • A new prescription is required for additional Schedule II controlled substances.
  • Oral or electronic prescriptions are generally not permitted except in an emergency, with the required written prescription following the emergency prescription.

For Schedule III through V controlled substances, California permits additional methods of transmitting prescriptions.

Can a Veterinarian Call in a Schedule III, IV, or V Prescription?

California provides more flexibility for Schedule III, IV, and V controlled substances.

The Veterinary Medical Board states that Schedule III through V controlled-substance prescriptions may be submitted in written form using a California-compliant security prescription form.

They may also be submitted orally or electronically to the pharmacist, who reduces the order to a written prescription.

California Health and Safety Code section 11164 similarly permits Schedule III, IV, and V controlled substances to be dispensed pursuant to oral or electronically transmitted prescriptions, subject to the applicable requirements.

This means a veterinarian does not necessarily need to use a paper security prescription form every time a Schedule III, IV, or V medication is prescribed.

However, when a written prescription is used, the applicable California security-form requirements still matter.

Can a Veterinarian Call in a Schedule II Prescription?

Schedule II controlled substances are subject to more restrictive requirements.

The California Veterinary Medical Board states that prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances can only be submitted in written form on a California-compliant security prescription form, except for limited emergency circumstances.

Under the emergency exception, an oral prescription may be permitted, but the Veterinary Medical Board states that a written prescription must follow the emergency oral prescription within seven days.

For routine Schedule II prescriptions sent to an outside pharmacy, veterinarians should therefore use the required California Security Prescription Form.

Do California Security Prescription Forms Apply to Veterinary Prescriptions?

Yes.

The California Veterinary Medical Board specifically issued guidance reminding veterinarians that the updated California Security Prescription Form requirements apply to veterinary prescriptions for controlled substances.

The Board stated that beginning January 1, 2021, California Security Prescription Forms must contain the required security elements, including the 12-character serial number and corresponding barcode, and must be produced by printers approved by the California Department of Justice.

The Board encouraged veterinarians who did not have compliant prescription pads to order them from a DOJ-approved security printer.

Why Does a Security Printer Need My Veterinary License?

California's security printer program is designed to ensure that controlled-substance prescription forms are provided only to appropriately licensed and authorized practitioners.

The California DOJ requires approved security printers to have procedures for verifying the identity of the prescriber and their prescribing privileges before printing controlled-substance prescription forms.

The DOJ's security printer guidelines specifically identify the Veterinary Medical Board as the licensing authority used to verify veterinarians.

This is why a veterinarian ordering California Security Prescription Pads may be asked to provide their veterinary license information.

The request is part of the security printer verification process.

Does Castle Press Need My DEA Registration?

For controlled-substance security prescription forms, California DOJ security printer guidelines require the security printer to verify the prescriber's authority to write controlled-substance prescriptions.

The guidelines state that the security printer must check the prescriber's DEA registration and verify information including the registration's validity, prescribing authority, and the match between the DEA registration and the name being printed on the prescription form.

The California DOJ's approved-printer directory also states that, when placing an order for controlled-substance prescription forms, the security printer will require a prescriber's state license number and a copy of the prescriber's DEA registration.

For Castle Press customers, this is why a current DEA registration may be requested when ordering California Security Prescription Pads for controlled substances.

Does Castle Press Need My DEA Registration for Every Reorder?

California's security printer guidelines require state license verification for all prescribers listed on the prescription form with each order, including repeat orders. The guidelines also address DEA registration verification and documentation.

The California DOJ approved-printer information states that a copy of the DEA registration is required when placing an order, subject to the approved verification procedures available to the security printer.

Consequently, a veterinarian should not assume that information supplied for a previous order will automatically eliminate verification requirements for a new order.

Keeping current license and DEA information readily available can help make the ordering process smoother.

What Does Castle Press Verify?

For controlled-substance prescription forms, California security printers are responsible for verifying the prescriber before production.

The California DOJ guidelines require security printers to verify:

  • The prescriber's identity
  • State license status
  • Prescribing privileges
  • DEA registration
  • DEA registration status
  • Authority to prescribe controlled substances
  • The match between the prescriber's DEA registration and the name printed on the prescription form

For veterinarians, license verification is performed through the California Veterinary Medical Board.

This verification is an important part of the security printing process and helps ensure that controlled-substance prescription forms are issued to an appropriately authorized veterinarian.

Can Multiple Veterinarians Share One Prescription Pad?

California Security Prescription Forms can list multiple prescribers.

California's security-form requirements provide for a checkbox by the name of each prescriber when a form lists multiple prescribers.

This can be useful for veterinary hospitals, clinics, and group practices with multiple veterinarians.

Each veterinarian listed on the form must be appropriately identified and verified as required by the security printer process.

When a veterinarian issues a prescription from a multi-prescriber form, the applicable prescriber identification requirements must be followed.

Castle Press offers multi-prescriber California Security Prescription Pad options.

How Many Veterinarians Can Castle Press Put on One Pad?

Castle Press offers California Security Prescription Pad options for one through ten prescribers.

This can be useful for veterinary hospitals and practices with several veterinarians who need prescription forms containing provider information for multiple doctors.

The appropriate configuration depends on the practice's needs and the information that must appear on the form.

For controlled-substance forms, each prescriber listed on the form remains subject to the applicable California verification requirements.

Can Veterinarians Use Ordinary Prescription Pads for Non-Controlled Medications?

The California security prescription form requirements discussed above apply specifically to controlled-substance prescriptions.

A veterinarian may have different options for prescriptions involving non-controlled medications.

However, veterinary practices should distinguish between ordinary prescription stationery and California Security Prescription Forms.

A practice that routinely prescribes both controlled and non-controlled medications may choose to use a standardized prescription-pad format that accommodates its workflow, while ensuring that any controlled-substance prescription satisfies the applicable California requirements.

Are Veterinarians Required to Register With CURES?

California veterinarians who prescribe controlled substances have CURES-related obligations.

The California Veterinary Medical Board states that a veterinarian prescribing controlled substances to an outside pharmacy must be properly registered with CURES.

The Board also explains that veterinarians have specific reporting requirements because veterinarians are treated differently from other dispensers in certain CURES reporting circumstances.

For example, veterinarians are exempt from the general one-working-day reporting timeframe and must report as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than seven days after dispensing, under the circumstances identified by the Board.

The CURES requirements are separate from the prescription-pad ordering process.

Do Veterinarians Report Prescriptions Filled by Outside Pharmacies to CURES?

The California Veterinary Medical Board states that prescriptions submitted to outside pharmacies for controlled substances to be filled should not be reported to CURES by the veterinarian.

The pharmacist, as the ultimate dispenser, is responsible for the CURES reporting in that situation.

Veterinarians should distinguish between:

  • Prescribing a controlled substance to be filled by an outside pharmacy
  • Dispensing a controlled substance directly from the veterinary practice

The applicable CURES reporting responsibilities can differ.

What Records Must a Veterinarian Keep?

California veterinarians have recordkeeping responsibilities for prescribed, dispensed, and administered medications.

The Veterinary Medical Board states that California regulations require a record of all prescribed medications, including the dose, frequency, and quantity, in the animal patient's medical record. The Board also states that prescription details must be maintained in the patient's history for the required period.

For controlled substances, federal and state recordkeeping requirements can be more extensive.

Veterinary practices should maintain appropriate records for controlled substances that are prescribed, dispensed, administered, or otherwise handled by the practice.

What Happens If a Veterinary Prescription Pad Is Lost or Stolen?

Lost or stolen controlled-substance prescription forms are a security concern.

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

The California Veterinary Medical Board's controlled-substance guidance also addresses theft and loss reporting obligations.

Veterinary practices should therefore maintain appropriate controls for storing prescription pads and tracking their use.

What Should a Veterinarian Have Ready When Ordering From Castle Press?

Having current information available can help prevent delays when ordering California Security Prescription Pads.

A veterinarian may want to have the following information ready:

  • Full name
  • California veterinary license number
  • Practice name
  • Practice address
  • Practice telephone number
  • DEA registration, when applicable
  • DEA registration information for controlled-substance prescription forms
  • Number of veterinarians to appear on the pad
  • Preferred pad size
  • Information to be preprinted on the form
  • Practice logo, if desired
  • Any custom layout requirements

For controlled-substance forms, Castle Press must follow the verification requirements applicable to California security printers.

Providing current and accurate information helps support that process.

What If My Veterinary License or DEA Registration Has Changed?

If your California veterinary license information, DEA registration, practice address, or other relevant information has changed, it is important to provide current information when ordering new prescription forms.

California security printer guidelines require verification of prescriber information and license status with each order.

DEA registration information also needs to correspond to the prescriber information being printed on the prescription form.

If information has changed since your last order, Castle Press may need updated documentation before the order can proceed.

What Prescription Pad Sizes Does Castle Press Offer?

Castle Press offers California Security Prescription Pads in multiple formats, including:

  • 4" x 5" pocket-size prescription pads
  • 8" x 3.3" desk-size prescription pads

Castle Press also offers:

  • One through ten prescriber options
  • Two-part prescription forms
  • 50 prescription sets per pad
  • Custom name and address layouts
  • Black-and-white logo options
  • Serialized numbering
  • Corresponding barcode
  • California-required security features

These options allow veterinary practices to select a format that fits their workflow while maintaining the applicable security requirements for controlled-substance prescription forms.

Why Choose Castle Press for Veterinary 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 approved-printer directory lists Castle Press at its Anaheim location and provides its prescription-pad website and contact information.

Castle Press California Security Prescription Pads

For veterinary practices, working with an approved security printer is particularly important when ordering prescription forms that will be used for controlled substances.

Castle Press offers prescription-pad formats that can accommodate individual veterinarians as well as multi-veterinarian practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can veterinarians use prescription pads in California?

Yes. California veterinarians can use paper prescription pads, and veterinarians are specifically exempt from California's general electronic-prescribing requirement.

Do California veterinarians have to use electronic prescriptions?

No. California Business and Professions Code section 688 specifically exempts prescriptions issued by veterinarians from the general electronic-prescribing requirement.

Does a veterinarian need a special prescription pad for controlled substances?

Yes, when a written prescription for a Schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled substance is used. California requires the prescription to be issued on a tamper-resistant form ordered from a DOJ-approved security printer.

Does a veterinarian need a DEA registration?

A veterinarian who prescribes controlled substances must have the appropriate DEA registration in their own individual name, subject to applicable exceptions.

Can a veterinarian use another veterinarian's DEA number?

No. The California Veterinary Medical Board states that a veterinarian cannot prescribe controlled substances without their own individual DEA registration.

Can veterinarians prescribe Schedule II controlled substances on paper?

Yes. For routine prescriptions submitted to outside pharmacies, Schedule II controlled substances must be prescribed in written form using a California-compliant security prescription form. Limited emergency provisions exist.

Can a veterinarian call in a Schedule III, IV, or V prescription?

California permits Schedule III, IV, and V controlled-substance prescriptions to be submitted orally or electronically under the applicable requirements. A written California Security Prescription Form is another available method.

Does Castle Press need my veterinary license number?

For controlled-substance security prescription forms, California security printers must verify the prescriber's state license and prescribing privileges. The California DOJ guidelines identify the Veterinary Medical Board as the licensing authority for veterinarians.

Does Castle Press need my DEA registration?

For controlled-substance prescription forms, California DOJ guidance requires security printers to verify the prescriber's DEA registration and related prescribing authority. The DOJ approved-printer directory states that security printers will require a state license number and copy of the DEA registration when placing an order, subject to applicable verification methods.

Can multiple veterinarians share one prescription pad?

Yes. California Security Prescription Forms can list multiple prescribers and include a checkbox by each prescriber's name.

How many veterinarians can Castle Press put on one prescription pad?

Castle Press offers California Security Prescription Pad options for one through ten prescribers.

Do veterinary controlled-substance prescription forms need a serial number?

Yes. California requires compliant controlled-substance prescription forms to contain a unique serialized number, and current requirements include a 12-character serial number and corresponding barcode.

What happens if my veterinary prescription pad is lost or stolen?

Lost or stolen controlled-substance prescription forms or pads must be reported to CURES, and California DOJ states they should also be reported to local law enforcement.

Does a veterinarian need CURES registration?

A veterinarian prescribing controlled substances to an outside pharmacy must be properly registered with CURES, according to the California Veterinary Medical Board.

Does a veterinarian report a prescription to CURES when an outside pharmacy fills it?

The Veterinary Medical Board states that prescriptions submitted to outside pharmacies for controlled substances to be filled should not be reported to CURES by the veterinarian; the pharmacist is responsible for the CURES reporting as the ultimate dispenser.

Does a veterinary prescription pad need to include the veterinarian's DEA number?

California Security Prescription Forms require the federal controlled-substance registration number among the preprinted prescriber information.

Are California Security Prescription Forms required for veterinary prescriptions?

They are required when a written prescription for a Schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled substance is issued under the applicable California requirements.

Order California Prescription Pads for Veterinarians From Castle Press

California veterinarians have the ability to use paper prescription pads, and unlike many other California prescribers, veterinarians are specifically exempt from the state's general electronic-prescribing requirement.

For controlled substances, however, veterinarians must follow California's security prescription requirements.

Written prescriptions for Schedule II through V controlled substances must be issued on compliant California Security Prescription Forms when the written-form requirement applies, and those forms must be obtained from a California Department of Justice-approved security printer.

Veterinarians prescribing controlled substances must also maintain the appropriate veterinary license, DEA registration, and CURES registration, along with the required veterinary medical and controlled-substance records.

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

Castle Press offers:

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

Whether you are ordering prescription pads for a solo veterinary practice, replacing an existing supply, or creating a multi-veterinarian prescription pad, having your current California veterinary license and applicable DEA information available can help make the ordering process more efficient.

Need California Prescription Pads for Your Veterinary Practice?

Contact Castle Press to review available prescription pad sizes, multi-veterinarian 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.