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Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration (MCSR)

In Massachusetts, all prescription drugs are controlled substances. Manufacturers and distributors shipping prescription drugs or providing samples to Massachusetts HCPs need to verify both the professional license and the MCSR.

MedPro Systems
Published
Updated
Jurisdiction

Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Drug Control Program

Applies To

All prescription drugs, trade and samples

Who Registers

Prescribers and the facilities that handle prescription drugs

Scope

Location-specific, one per storage or dispensing location

What Is an MCSR?

In Massachusetts, all prescription drugs are considered controlled substances. A Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration (MCSR) is required in addition to the professional license (MA SLN) to prescribe, request or receive prescription drug samples or receive trade prescription drug products.

Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 94C, Section 7 and the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 105 CMR 700.004 require every individual or facility that manufactures, distributes, prescribes, administers, dispenses or possesses controlled substances in Schedules II to VI to register with the Department of Public Health. Non-federal controlled substances are assigned to Massachusetts Schedule VI. Schedules II to V also require federal controlled substance credentials, while individuals and facilities that only handle Schedule VI drugs need an MCSR alone.

The MCSR is location-specific. It is required for the primary address and each location where controlled substances are stored or dispensed, and an individual licensee may hold multiple MCSRs. Most practitioners only need an MCSR for their primary practice location.

Who Needs an MCSR?

MCSRs are issued to individual prescribing professions and to facilities.

Prescribing Professions

  • Medical and Osteopathic Physicians
  • Physician Assistants
  • Dentists
  • Podiatrists
  • APRNs
  • Veterinarians
  • Collaborative Drug Therapy Management

Facilities

  • Clinics
  • Distributors
  • Hospitals
  • Manufacturers

What Changed in Massachusetts

In late 2023, Massachusetts began moving its license data to a new platform that publishes professional license (MA SLN) and MCSR information. The change affected data availability, added complexity to data acquisition and storage and highlighted Massachusetts regulations around prescription drugs.

The transition added an address-specific step to license verification. Standard SLN verification still applies, with new checks for a valid MCSR for each practitioner.

In April 2025, the Massachusetts Drug Control Program clarified that samples are not considered stock medication, so the MCSR address does not have to match the address where samples are shipped or delivered.

Working with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Since December 2023, MedPro Systems has worked directly with the Massachusetts MCSR and IT departments on the data required for verification. MedPro evaluated the information the state publishes and worked with the state to identify anomalies and gaps in the data, which were then remedied.

MedPro also met with the Massachusetts Program Counsel, Department of Public Health, Drug Control Program to understand how the industry can comply with Massachusetts regulations when an address is redacted, and received guidance to support customers in this effort.

As regulations evolve, so does the need for precise data validation and compliance strategies. MedPro’s ongoing communication with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health keeps customers supplied with accurate, up-to-date information to meet their compliance and business objectives.

How MedPro Systems Can Help

To support MCSR compliance, MedPro Systems associates Massachusetts State License (MA SLN) records with MCSR data for validation fulfillment and provides data quality checks, proactive monitoring and ongoing data delivery and support.

As Massachusetts data continues to change, MedPro evaluates MA SLN and MCSR data for customers who need Massachusetts prescribers’ practice and MCSR licenses for their compliance and business objectives.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend that organizations read, understand and discuss their obligations with internal compliance and legal counsel and document their process and approach.

MedPro is not aware of any enforcement activities by Massachusetts related to MCSR. This is not a new regulation. What changed is the platform for license verification.

The manufacturer or distributor of record is responsible for ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations for prescription drug distribution, trade and samples.

All prescription drugs are Massachusetts controlled substances. The MCSR applies to all trade and sample prescription drug distribution activities.

Licensed prescribers are responsible for maintaining an MCSR for their primary address and each location where controlled substances are stored or dispensed. In April 2025, the Massachusetts Drug Control Program clarified that samples are not considered stock medication, so the MCSR address does not have to match the address where samples are shipped or delivered. See MCSR for practitioners on Mass.gov.

Based on MedPro’s conversations with Massachusetts, manufacturers and distributors should make a reasonable effort to ensure the address used for distribution is the same location as the verified MCSR address. Work with your internal compliance department to document your business rules and the rationale behind them.

Massachusetts has not provided any guidance on using attestations in place of MCSR license verification.

The state has noted that you should ask your customers to update their data.

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