What letters can a DEA number for a Type A practitioner start with?

The correct answer indicates that a DEA number for a Type A practitioner can start with the letters A, B, F, and G. In the context of DEA numbers, the first letter of the number is crucial in identifying the type of registrant.

Type A practitioners are typically physicians, dentists, or other professionals who are licensed to prescribe medication. The letters A and B have long been used for registrants like physicians and may signify the original series for individual prescribers.

The letters F and G were introduced for specific categories of healthcare providers. The letter F is typically designated for miliary physicians, while G may be used for other types of practitioners or corporations that hold a DEA registration to manage and dispense controlled substances.

Understanding the structure of a DEA number is essential for pharmacy practice, as it helps in verifying the legitimacy of a prescriber and ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Knowing these details is critical for pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in discerning valid prescriptions and preventing drug misuse.

Other options do not accurately reflect the types of practitioners and their corresponding DEA number designations. For instance, letters like M, P, and R are not appropriate for Type A practitioners typically, as they correspond to different categories, such as mid-level practitioners or specific licensing