Telehealth licensure requirements, DEA controlled substance prescribing rules, CURES registration requirements, and compliance checklist for physicians practicing telehealth in California. Verified May 2026.
| Telehealth-specific license | ✓ Not required — standard license |
| IMLC compact pathway | — No — direct application required |
| Informed consent | — Required before telehealth |
| Audio-only permitted | ✓ Permitted |
| Medicaid parity | ✓ Yes — parity in effect |
| Out-of-state registration | ✓ Not required |
| Renewal fee | $1,151 |
| Telehealth prescribing | ✓ Permitted |
| Prior in-person visit | ✓ Not required |
| DEA special registration | ✓ Not required |
| Schedule II (stimulants, opioids) | ✓ Permitted |
| Buprenorphine (MAT) | ✓ Permitted |
| Stimulants (ADHD) | ✓ Permitted |
| Benzodiazepines | ✓ Permitted |
| Program name | CURES |
| Registration required | Required before prescribing |
| Required for schedules | Schedule II–IV |
No — California does not require a separate telehealth-specific license. A standard California medical license covers telehealth practice.
No — California is not currently an IMLC compact member. Physicians must apply directly through the California medical board.
Yes — telehealth prescribing is permitted in California. No prior in-person visit is currently required under active DEA telehealth extensions. COVID-era DEA telehealth prescribing extension in effect; permanent rule pending
Yes — California requires physicians to register with the CURES before prescribing Schedule II–IV controlled substances. Must register with CURES before prescribing Schedule II–IV. Mandatory query required before each new patient and every 6 months thereafter. Contact cures@doj.ca.gov or (916) 210-3187 for support.
Yes — California permits audio-only (phone) telehealth encounters without video.
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StateLicensure is a regulatory research platform — not a legal service. Data is sourced from official state boards, DEA, and CMS, and updated as rules change. For compliance decisions with regulatory consequences, confirm requirements directly with your state board.
