Prescription Rules by State
Controlled-substance scheduling is federal, and the schedule is the same in all 50 states. What changes from state to state is the surrounding framework: whether a pharmacy is licensed here, what a prescription drug monitoring program requires, and how strictly telehealth prescribing is limited.
Important
This site provides educational information only and does not sell, prescribe or dispense medications. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider. This page is not medical advice.
All states
What is federal and what is state
- Scheduling to Schedule I through V is set by federal law (the Controlled Substances Act and 21 CFR Part 1308) and applies everywhere.
- State law may add controls, and some states schedule substances that federal law does not.
- Whether a given medication requires a prescription is a matter of federal drug law, not state law, though states can be stricter.
- Telehealth prescribing rules for controlled substances are set by federal law and then implemented by each state.
How to use this
Find your state to see the pharmacy board that licenses sellers in your state, its prescription drug monitoring program, and the general telehealth posture. Confirm anything you rely on directly with the state board, because these rules change. Content last reviewed October 2026.