CPhT (PTCE) Study Guide
DEA Schedules for Pharmacy Technicians: PTCE Controlled Substance Rules
Master DEA Schedules I to V for the PTCE: abuse potential, medical use examples, refill and transfer rules, Forms 222/106/41, and DEA check-digit math.
By MedCertPrep Team · Updated August 17, 2026
Controlled substance schedule rules show up on nearly every PTCE Federal Requirements set, and they are easy to miss if you only memorize drug names without the refill, transfer, and form rules that sit around them. This guide covers DEA Schedules I to V, refill and transfer limits, DEA Forms 222/106/41 at technician level, and the DEA number check-digit formula. It is written for pharmacy technician candidates preparing for the PTCE (and for working technicians who need a clean schedule refresher). Pair it with Federal Requirements practice, the PTCE study guide, and the official PTCE Content Outline PDF.
What are the DEA schedules, and why do they matter on the PTCE?
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) places controlled substances into five schedules based on accepted medical use and abuse or dependence potential. On the PTCE, you are expected to classify common examples, apply prescription and refill rules by schedule, and recognize which forms and workflows apply when something goes wrong (theft, destruction, ordering Schedule II stock).
Direct answer for exam pacing: Schedule I has no accepted medical use in the United States under federal law. Schedule II has accepted medical use with high abuse potential and the strictest refill rules. Schedules III to V have accepted medical use with progressively lower abuse potential and allow limited refills.
Confirm current federal schedule placements on the DEA Drug Scheduling page. Confirm exam policies on the PTCB CPhT certification page. State law can be stricter than federal law. The PTCE tests federal requirements. For related Federal Requirements content, see DSCSA for pharmacy technicians.
How do Schedules I to V compare?
Use this table as your primary recall sheet. Learn the pattern (medical use + abuse potential), then attach examples.
| Schedule | Accepted medical use (federal) | Abuse / dependence potential | Common examples (study set, not exhaustive) | Core technician takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | No accepted medical use; high abuse potential | Highest | Heroin, LSD, MDMA (ecstasy), peyote; marijuana (cannabis) remains Schedule I federally | Not dispensed as FDA-approved controlled meds in ordinary community practice under federal schedule rules |
| II | Yes | High; severe psychological or physical dependence risk | Oxycodone, hydrocodone combination products, morphine, fentanyl, methadone, amphetamine, methylphenidate, cocaine (medical) | No refills; tight ordering and storage; Form 222 (or electronic equivalent) for ordering |
| III | Yes | Less than II; moderate to low physical, high psychological possible | Products with codeine in limited amounts (for example, Tylenol with Codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids, buprenorphine (as scheduled) | Up to 5 refills in 6 months from issue date (federal) |
| IV | Yes | Less than III | Alprazolam, lorazepam, diazepam, clonazepam, zolpidem, tramadol, phentermine | Same refill window pattern as III under federal rules |
| V | Yes | Less than IV | Cough preparations with limited codeine (for example, some guaifenesin/codeine products), pregabalin, lacosamide, ezogabine (as scheduled) | Lowest among schedules; still controlled; refill pattern aligns with III/IV federally |
Pro Tip: When two options look familiar, ask: "Does this drug have accepted medical use, and how high is the abuse risk?" That single question usually separates Schedule I from II, and II from III to V, faster than memorizing every brand.
Extended drug-by-schedule reference tables
Memorize 8 to 12 drugs per schedule. Use these as a starting set. Confirm current federal schedule placements on the DEA Drug Scheduling page before your exam, as scheduling can change.
Schedule I drugs (no accepted medical use, high abuse potential)
| Generic name | Notes for exam |
|---|---|
| Heroin (diacetylmorphine) | Classic Schedule I example; no accepted US medical use |
| LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) | Hallucinogen; research-only context; not dispensed |
| MDMA (ecstasy) | Entactogen; no accepted medical use under federal law |
| Peyote / mescaline | Hallucinogen; religious exemption exists but federal Schedule I |
| Psilocybin | Active compound in "magic mushrooms"; no accepted federal medical use |
| Cannabis / marijuana | Schedule I federally despite state-level legalization |
| GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) | Schedule I as abuse substance; NOTE: sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is Schedule III as a prescription product - illustrates how scheduling can differ by form |
| Methaqualone (Quaalude) | Sedative-hypnotic with no current accepted medical use |
Schedule II drugs (high abuse potential, severe dependence risk, no refills)
| Generic name | Brand example | Drug class | Exam point |
|---|---|---|---|
| oxycodone | OxyContin, Percocet (with APAP) | Opioid analgesic | C-II; no refills; common post-surgery pain Rx |
| hydrocodone combination products | Vicodin (with APAP) | Opioid analgesic | C-II since 2014 rescheduling |
| hydromorphone | Dilaudid | Opioid analgesic | More potent than morphine; high-alert |
| morphine | MS Contin | Opioid analgesic | Reference opioid for potency comparisons |
| fentanyl | Duragesic (patch), Actiq (lollipop) | Opioid analgesic | Patch and lozenge forms; very high potency |
| methadone | Dolophine | Opioid (pain and MAT) | Also used in OUD treatment at specialized clinics |
| oxymorphone | Opana | Opioid analgesic | C-II; ER form was withdrawn in 2017 |
| meperidine | Demerol | Opioid analgesic | Active metabolite normeperidine is toxic |
| codeine (single-entity) | Various | Opioid analgesic/antitussive | Single-entity codeine products are C-II |
| amphetamine | Adderall (with d-amphetamine) | CNS stimulant (ADHD) | C-II; used for ADHD and narcolepsy |
| dextroamphetamine | Dexedrine | CNS stimulant | C-II; similar to amphetamine |
| methylphenidate | Ritalin, Concerta | CNS stimulant (ADHD) | C-II; most common ADHD medication class |
| lisdexamfetamine | Vyvanse | CNS stimulant (ADHD) | C-II prodrug; lower abuse potential than immediate-release but still C-II |
| cocaine | Cocaine HCl solution | Local anesthetic (nasal/ENT surgery) | Medical use exists as topical anesthetic; still C-II |
| methamphetamine | Desoxyn | CNS stimulant | Extremely limited medical use; rarely dispensed |
Schedule III drugs (moderate dependence risk, up to 5 refills in 6 months)
| Generic name | Brand example | Drug class | Exam point |
|---|---|---|---|
| buprenorphine | Subutex (alone), Suboxone (with naloxone) | Opioid partial agonist (OUD) | C-III; used for opioid use disorder; office-based |
| codeine (combination products) | Tylenol with Codeine (#3, #4) | Opioid combination | C-III when combined with a non-scheduled drug (e.g., APAP); compare to single-entity C-II |
| testosterone | Depo-Testosterone | Androgen / anabolic steroid | C-III; requires DEA number for prescribing |
| anabolic steroids | Winstrol (stanozolol), Anadrol (oxymetholone) | Anabolic steroids | C-III class; abuse concern in sports |
| ketamine | Ketalar | Dissociative anesthetic | C-III; related product esketamine (Spravato) is also C-III |
| benzphetamine | Didrex | Anorectic (weight loss) | C-III stimulant |
| dronabinol | Marinol | Cannabinoid (nausea, appetite) | C-III synthetic THC capsules; oral solution (Syndros) is C-II |
| sodium oxybate | Xyrem | CNS depressant (narcolepsy) | C-III as Rx product; illicit GHB remains Schedule I |
Schedule IV drugs (lower dependence risk, up to 5 refills in 6 months)
| Generic name | Brand example | Drug class | Exam point |
|---|---|---|---|
| alprazolam | Xanax | Benzodiazepine | C-IV; anxiety/panic disorder |
| diazepam | Valium | Benzodiazepine | C-IV; muscle relaxant, anxiety, seizure |
| lorazepam | Ativan | Benzodiazepine | C-IV; often used in acute anxiety, procedural sedation |
| clonazepam | Klonopin | Benzodiazepine | C-IV; seizure and panic disorder |
| temazepam | Restoril | Benzodiazepine (hypnotic) | C-IV; sleep |
| triazolam | Halcion | Benzodiazepine (hypnotic) | C-IV; short-term insomnia |
| zolpidem | Ambien | Non-benzo hypnotic | C-IV; "Z-drug" sleep aid |
| zaleplon | Sonata | Non-benzo hypnotic | C-IV; very short half-life |
| eszopiclone | Lunesta | Non-benzo hypnotic | C-IV |
| tramadol | Ultram | Atypical opioid / SNRI-like | C-IV since 2014; refill rules follow Schedule IV (not Schedule II) |
| carisoprodol | Soma | Muscle relaxant | C-IV; metabolizes to meprobamate |
| phentermine | Adipex-P | Anorectic | C-IV; used short-term for obesity |
| modafinil | Provigil | Wakefulness agent | C-IV; narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder |
| armodafinil | Nuvigil | Wakefulness agent | C-IV; R-enantiomer of modafinil |
| butorphanol | Stadol | Opioid agonist-antagonist | C-IV nasal spray; migraine use |
| midazolam | Versed | Benzodiazepine | C-IV; procedural sedation and intubation |
Schedule V drugs (lowest dependence risk among scheduled substances)
| Generic name | Brand example | Drug class | Exam point |
|---|---|---|---|
| cough preparations with low-dose codeine | Robitussin AC (guaifenesin + codeine) | Antitussive combination | C-V; OTC in some states with log book requirement |
| pregabalin | Lyrica | Anticonvulsant / neuropathic pain | C-V federally; gabapentin is not federally scheduled (state laws vary) |
| lacosamide | Vimpat | Anticonvulsant | C-V; partial-onset seizures |
| ezogabine | Potiga | Anticonvulsant | C-V (withdrawn in 2017) |
| brivaracetam | Briviact | Anticonvulsant | C-V |
| paregoric (camphorated tincture of opium) | -- | Opioid antidiarrheal | C-V; historic use; low opium content |
| diphenoxylate/atropine | Lomotil | Antidiarrheal opioid combination | C-V; atropine added to discourage abuse |
| promethazine + codeine syrup | -- | Antitussive combination | C-V; "purple drank" abuse concern |
Controlled substance storage and handling requirements
The PTCE tests whether you know how controlled substances are handled, stored, and secured, not just classified.
| Requirement | Schedule II | Schedules III to V | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage | Locked, securely fastened cabinet or safe; separate from non-controlled stock in most settings | Locked cabinet; some pharmacies co-locate with C-II under same secure storage | State law can require stricter separation |
| Ordering (stock) | DEA Form 222 or CSOS (electronic) required for every order | Standard purchase order with wholesaler; no Form 222 required | Errors on Form 222 are not correctable; a new form is needed |
| Record-keeping | Perpetual inventory typically required; biennial DEA inventory required | Separate records from non-controlled required; biennial inventory | Electronic systems can track automatically |
| Prescription refills | No refills permitted under federal law | Up to 5 refills within 6 months from issue date if authorized | State law can be stricter |
| Partial fills | Allowed in limited circumstances (hospice, LTCF) under federal rules; remaining balance rules apply | Standard partial fills allowed | LTCF = long-term care facility |
| Theft / loss | Report on DEA Form 106 (significant loss) | Same requirement if significant loss or diversion occurs | Significant loss is not precisely defined; pharmacist/DEA registrant decides |
| Destruction | DEA Form 41 or authorized reverse distributor | Same form and process | Must have DEA-authorized witness or use approved take-back program |
| Emergency oral C-II prescriptions | Allowed only in a true emergency; quantity limited to the emergency period; prescriber must provide a written/electronic Rx within 7 days | Not an issue; C-III to V allow verbal Rx | Federal rule is emergency-period quantity, not a fixed 72-hour supply; some state policies are stricter |
Federal marijuana (cannabis) nuance
Under federal law, marijuana remains Schedule I even though many states have legalized medical or adult-use cannabis. For the PTCE Federal Requirements lens, answer with the federal schedule, not your state's retail rules. Do not assume that state legalization changes the federal Schedule I classification on exam items.
What are the refill rules by schedule?
Direct answer:
| Schedule | New Rx / refill rule (federal baseline for exam study) |
|---|---|
| II | No refills. A new prescription is required for each fill (partial-fill rules exist in practice; know that "refills" are not allowed the way III to V allow them). |
| III, IV, V | May be refilled up to 5 times within 6 months from the date the prescription was issued, if authorized. |
That "5 in 6 months" phrase is high-yield. If a stem says a patient wants a sixth refill of a Schedule IV benzodiazepine within the same six-month window, the correct action is not "just refill it." Flag for pharmacist review and follow policy: a new prescription is required once the federal refill limit is exhausted.
Partial fills, emergency Schedule II oral authorizations, and electronic prescribing details can appear in workplace SOPs. For PTCE study, lock the core: II has no refills; III to V use the 5-in-6-months framework when authorized.
What are the transfer rules technicians should know?
Transfers are pharmacist-to-pharmacist communications in most settings, but technicians must know the limits so they do not promise patients something the law does not allow.
Federal baseline for study:
- Schedule II prescriptions generally are not transferred between pharmacies the way III to V can be (electronic sharing and pharmacy systems have nuances; for exam recall, treat C-II as not transferable like a refillable C-III).
- Schedules III to V: a prescription may be transferred one time for refill purposes between licensed pharmacies, unless the pharmacies share a real-time online database, in which case transfers may be allowed up to the maximum refills permitted by law and the prescription.
Exact wording of transfer documentation is a pharmacist responsibility. Your job on the exam is to recognize when a requested transfer is not allowed and escalate.
Which DEA forms should pharmacy technicians recognize?
You do not need attorney-level CFR citations. You do need the purpose of each form.
| Form | Purpose | When technicians see it |
|---|---|---|
| DEA Form 222 | Order Schedule I and II controlled substances (paper triplicate historically; electronic CSOS is the modern equivalent in many pharmacies) | Ordering C-II stock; missing or incorrect 222 paperwork stops the order |
| DEA Form 106 | Report theft or significant loss of controlled substances | After discovery of diversion, robbery, or significant discrepancy; pharmacist/DEA registrant leads the report |
| DEA Form 41 | Record destruction of controlled substances | Reverse distribution / witnessed destruction workflows |
Pro Tip: Map forms to verbs: 222 = order, 106 = loss/theft, 41 = destroy. That three-word map recovers most form questions under time pressure.
How do you verify a DEA number (check-digit formula)?
A DEA registrant number follows a pattern: two letters + seven digits (for example, AB1234563). The last digit is a check digit.
Formula:
- Add the 1st, 3rd, and 5th digits.
- Add the 2nd, 4th, and 6th digits, then multiply that sum by 2.
- Add the results from steps 1 and 2.
- The last digit of that total must equal the 7th digit (check digit).
Worked mini-example: digits 1 2 3 4 5 6 and check digit X.
- Step 1: 1 + 3 + 5 = 9
- Step 2: (2 + 4 + 6) × 2 = 24
- Step 3: 9 + 24 = 33
- Check digit must be 3
Also know common letter patterns used in study materials: the first letter often relates to registrant type (for example, A/B/F/G for practitioners historically; M for mid-level in many teaching examples). Second letter usually matches the first letter of the registrant last name. Teaching examples vary; if a stem gives a full number, run the check digit. Do not invent a letter rule the stem does not support.
Practice related Federal Requirements items in Federal Requirements practice. For medications that commonly appear as controlled examples, reinforce names in Medications practice and the Top 200 drugs guide.
How should you study schedules without wasting time?
- Memorize the schedule table pattern first (I vs II vs III to V).
- Attach 8 to 12 high-frequency examples per schedule used in your practice bank.
- Drill refill and transfer rules as decision questions, not flashcards only.
- Practice one DEA-number check-digit set until the arithmetic is automatic.
- Review forms with the order / loss / destroy map.
Practice: DEA Form 222 Schedule II, Percocet refill rules, and controlled substance inventory frequency.
Then take mixed Federal Requirements sets on Try PTCB practice and full domain work in Federal Requirements practice. For blueprint context, return to the PTCE study guide and the 4-week study plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Schedule II prescriptions be refilled?
No. Under federal rules tested on the PTCE, Schedule II prescriptions cannot be refilled. Each fill requires a new prescription (partial-fill procedures exist in practice, but they are not "refills" in the Schedule III to V sense). If a patient asks for a refill on oxycodone, escalate to the pharmacist.
How many refills are allowed on Schedule III to V prescriptions?
Federally, up to five refills within six months from the issue date, if the prescriber authorized refills. Once that limit is reached, a new prescription is required. State law or pharmacy policy may be stricter; the exam focuses on the federal baseline.
Is marijuana Schedule I or Schedule II on the PTCE?
Federally, marijuana (cannabis) remains Schedule I. State medical or adult-use laws do not change that federal classification for PTCE Federal Requirements items. Answer with the federal schedule unless the question explicitly asks about a state rule.
What is DEA Form 222 used for?
DEA Form 222 (or the electronic CSOS equivalent) is used to order Schedule I and II controlled substances. Technicians should recognize that C-II ordering paperwork is special and that errors or missing documentation block the order.
What is the difference between Form 106 and Form 41?
Form 106 reports theft or significant loss. Form 41 documents destruction. If product is missing and suspected stolen, think 106. If product is being destroyed through a compliant process, think 41.
How do I check a DEA number quickly during a timed set?
Add digits in positions 1, 3, and 5. Add digits in positions 2, 4, and 6 and multiply by 2. Add those two results. The last digit of the sum must match the seventh digit. If it does not match, the number is invalid for exam purposes.
Where does this sit in the 2026 PTCE blueprint?
Controlled substance schedules and related prescription requirements sit in Federal Requirements, which increased in weight on the 2026 outline. Read the official PTCE Content Outline and practice the domain directly rather than treating law as an afterthought.
Start practicing Federal Requirements today
You do not need another week of passive reading. Convert this page into score gains with a short loop:
- Recite the Schedules I to V table from memory, including refill rules.
- Work 10 Federal Requirements items on Federal Requirements practice, reviewing every miss.
- Run three DEA-number check-digit problems on paper without a calculator.
- Skim forms again: 222 order, 106 loss/theft, 41 destroy.
- When you want fuller banks and timed access, open Pricing or the PTCB prep overview.
Open Federal Requirements practice next and complete one focused set before you leave this topic.
Practice what you just read
Use blueprint-aligned questions and timed mocks for CPhT (PTCE) to turn this guide into exam-day readiness.