Official Louisiana State Websites use .la.gov 
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS BE AWARE OF IMPERSONATION SCAMS: Board staff and NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy) will not contact you by telephone and demand personally identifiable information or payment of funds for any reason.
Description of the Scam - In this scam, a pharmacy receives a phone call from someone who claims to represent the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. The caller ID shows a Board of Pharmacy telephone number or NABP’s official telephone number, which bad actors have spoofed to appear legitimate. The caller then attempts to solicit information from pharmacy staff, including information that may constitute personally identifiable information (PII). Caller ID spoofing is a technique used by scammers to make an incoming call appear to originate from a trusted or official source. A familiar phone number on caller ID does not confirm the identity of the caller.
Prescribers with Authority for Controlled Substances
Louisina State Board of Medical Examiners
Physicians (whether allopathic [MD] or osteopathic [DO]), surgeons, and podiatrists [DPM] are licensed and regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. They have been authorized by the legislature to prescribe controlled substances; that authorization is evident in the Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) License issued to them by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. With a Louisiana CDS license, the practitioner may then apply to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to obtain a DEA registration. In most cases, the CDS and DEA credentials include the authority to prescribe drugs in Schedules II, II-N (nonnarcotic), III, III-N (nonnarcotic), IV, and V. The prescriber must be in possession of both the CDS license and DEA registration to prescribe controlled substances - one credential without the other is insufficient.
Physician assistants [PA-C] are licensed and regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. They have been authorized by the legislature to prescribe controlled substances; that authorization is evident in their CDS license and DEA registration. In most cases, the CDS and DEA credentials include the authority to prescribe drugs in Schedules II, II-N, III, III-N, IV, and V.
Medical psychologists [MP] are licensed and regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. They have been authorized by the legislature to prescribe controlled substances; that authorization is evident in their CDS license and DEA registration. In most cases, the CDS and DEA credentials include the authority to prescribe drugs in Schedules II-N, III-N, IV, and V. They may prescribe medications recognized and customarily used for mental and emotional disorders; however, they shall not prescribe any narcotics.
- To verify the status of a medical practitioners' license, visit the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners Website or you may call their office at 504.568.6820.
- To verify the status of the DEA registration, you may call their regional office at 504.840.1100.
Louisiana State Board of Dentistry
Dentists and oral surgeons [DDS] are licensed and regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry. They have been authorized by the legislature to prescribe controlled substances; that authorization is evident in their CDS license and their DEA registration. In most cases, the CDS and DEA credentials include the authority to prescribe drugs in Schedules II, II-N, III, III-N, IV, and V.
- To verify the status of the dental license, visit the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry Website or call their office at 504.568.8574.
- To verify the status of the DEA registration, you may call their regional office at 504.840.1100.
Louisiana State Board of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarians [DVM] are licensed and regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Veterinary Medicine. They have been authorized by the legislature to prescribe controlled substances; that authorization is evident in their CDS license and DEA registration. In most cases, the CDS and DEA credentials include the authority to prescribe drugs in Schedules II, II-N, III, III-N, IV, and V.
- To verify the status of the veterinary license, visit the Louisiana State Board of Veterinary Medicine Website or call their office at 225.342.2176.
- To verify the status of the DEA registration, you may call their regional office at 504.840.1100.
Louisiana State Board of Optometry Examiners
Optometrists [OD] are licensed and regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Optometry Examiners. They have been authorized by the legislature to prescribe controlled substances; that authorization is evident in their CDS license and DEA registration. In most cases, the CDS and DEA credentials include the authority to prescribe drugs in Schedules II, II-N, III, III-N, IV, and V.
- To verify the status of the optometric license, you may contact the Board of Optometry Examiners at 318.335.2989 or lsboe@yahoo.com.
- To verify the status of the DEA registration, you may call their regional office at 504.840.1100.
Louisiana State Board of Nursing
Advanced practice registered nurses [APRN], also known as nurse practitioners, are licensed and regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. They have been authorized by the legislature to prescribe controlled substances; that authorization is evident in their CDS license and DEA registration. In most cases, the CDS and DEA credentials include the authority to prescribe drugs in Schedules III, III-N, IV, and V. In some cases, their credentials may also include the authority to prescribe drugs in Schedules II and/or II-N.
- To verify the status of the nursing license, visit the Louisiana State Board of Nursing Website or you may call their office at 225.763.3570.
- To verify the status of the DEA registration, you may call their regional office at 504.840.1100.
Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Licenses
Practitioners referenced above who are authorized to prescribe and / or possess Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) are issued a CDS license by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
- To verify the status of a CDS license, visit the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy Website.