Behind-the-Scenes DEA Compliance Guidance

Former DEA Diversion Investigators helping registrants build defensible controlled substance programs – policies, audits, trainings, and hands-on support.

Manuals
Checklists & Forms

Serving veterinarians, pharmacies, clinics, and non-practitioner registrants.

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Your Ultimate Veterinary DEA Compliance Guide


For DEA-registered veterinary practices handling controlled substances — clinic or mobile. Clear, inspection-aligned guidance for documentation, security, and dispensing.

  • Built around real inspection expectations
  • Designed for daily clinic and field workflows
  • Practical, defensible compliance guidance
View the Manual

Who We Serve

Practical DEA compliance guidance for DEA-registered entities and their staff.

Veterinary Clinics & Practices


Companion animal, mixed, and specialty clinics responsible for storing, administering, and dispensing controlled substances.

Mobile & Field-Based Veterinary Practices

Equine, ambulatory, and mobile veterinarians managing controlled substances outside a fixed clinic setting.

DEA-Registered Practitioners


Professionals authorized to prescribe, administer, or dispense controlled substances under DEA registration

Non-Practitioner DEA Registrants

Organizations and regulated entities subject to DEA oversight and compliance requirements.

Why Our Guidance Is Different

Most compliance resources explain the rules.
Our guidance reflects how compliance is actually evaluated during real inspections.

Diversion Compliance Group resources are built from firsthand inspection and audit experience—focused on how documentation, security, and daily workflows are reviewed in practice.

What This Means for You

  • Inspection-focused documentation, not theory
  • Real-world workflows, including mobile and field work
  • Security and storage evaluated as inspected
  • Clear, implementable steps for staff

The result is clear, defensible compliance that holds up under real-world scrutiny.

Veterinary practice staff reviewing controlled substance records during a DEA-style compliance inspection.
Controlled substance dispensing log being completed in a veterinary practice.

Common Compliance Issues We See

Across DEA-registered practices and regulated entities, compliance issues most often develop over time—driven by evolving operations, staff changes, and workflows that no longer match written procedures.

These challenges are common, understandable, and typically correctable once identified.

Issues That Frequently Surface During Reviews

  • Recordkeeping and Inventory Failures
    Required records or inventories are missing, incomplete, inaccurate, or not maintained in a readily retrievable manner.
  • Inability to Account for Controlled Substances
    Audits reveal unexplained shortages, overages, or discrepancies that cannot be reconciled through records.
  • Failure to Maintain Effective Controls and Security
    Storage, access controls, or safeguards are insufficient to prevent loss, theft, or diversion.
  • Improper Dispensing or Prescribing Practices
    Controlled substances are dispensed or prescribed without adequate documentation, oversight, or compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Breakdowns in Mobile or Field Practice Controls (Veterinary)
    Controlled substances used in mobile or field settings are not consistently tracked, secured, or reconciled with clinic inventories.

These issues are common—and often correctable once they’re clearly identified and addressed.

What Practices Get From Our Resources

Our resources are designed to help DEA-registered practices move from uncertainty to clarity—by aligning daily operations with how compliance is actually evaluated during inspections.

DEA compliance binder representing organized controlled substance recordkeeping and documentation.
Organized controlled substance compliance binder and documentation materials on a desk.
  • Clear, Defensible Documentation
    Records that clearly demonstrate compliance during review—not just internal tracking.
  • Inspection-Aligned Workflows
    Practical processes that reflect how practices actually operate day to day.
  • Improved Accountability and Oversight
    Clear roles, responsibilities, and documentation that stand up to scrutiny.
  • Reduced Risk of Findings or Enforcement Action
    Fewer gaps, fewer questions, and fewer surprises during inspections.
  • Confidence During Reviews and Audits
    Knowing your records, security, and procedures tell a clear compliance story.

  • Clear Compliance Guidance for Real Practices

    “The Vet Manual clarified our controlled substance processes overnight — no more guessing what an investigator wants to see.”
    Dr. Samantha Lee, Veterinary Practice Owner
    Dr. Samantha Lee
    Practice Owner

  • Practical Solutions for Everyday Compliance Challenges

    “Working with DCG’s guidance helped us correct documentation gaps that had been a headache for years.”
    Mark Rhodes, Practice Administrator
    Mark Rhodes
    Practice Administrator

  • Inspection-Ready Workflows Without the Guesswork

    “Their compliance review identified simple workflow fixes that made our next inspection smoother and far less stressful.”
    Dr. Alex Moreno, DVM
    Alex Moreno, DVM
    Owner

  • Documentation That Finally Makes Sense

    “Thanks to the tailored workflows, our controlled substance logs are finally inspection proof.”
    Jessica Grant, Clinic Manager
    Jessica Grant
    Clinic Manager

  • Confidence and Clarity During DEA Reviews

    “Practical, real-world compliance help. Every staff member now understands what needs to be done.”
    Dr. Priya Singh, Mixed Practice Veterinarian
    Dr. Priya Singh
    Mixed Practice Veterinarian