Checklist: Evaluating Veterinary Hospital Readiness for a DEA Audit

If you manage controlled substances under a DEA license, you’re already aware of how important it is to follow Federal and State regulations. Non-compliance isn’t just a hassle—it can have serious consequences. DEA violations can lead to financial penalties exceeding $18,000 per violation, with these costs consistently rising. Multiple violations can quickly add up, putting a significant strain on your practice. Additionally, the EPA can impose fines of up to $37,500 per violation for improper disposal of controlled substance medical waste.

Being proactive can help you avoid these costly pitfalls. Identifying and addressing potential compliance issues early on can save you from these hefty penalties. Staying prepared for a DEA or State audit and keeping your processes and documentation in order will give you peace of mind.
One of the best ways to stay audit-ready is by conducting a self-audit. That’s why we’ve put together this checklist—to help you evaluate your hospital’s compliance and ensure you’re meeting all DEA regulations.

Download VetSnap's checklist for evaluating veterinary hospital readiness for a DEA audit:

How to Use This Checklist

If you’re an Owner or Practice Manager at a veterinary hospital that handles controlled substances, this checklist is your tool to ensure you’re staying compliant. You can use it to verify that your processes are up to standard or to help you figure out where to start if compliance hasn’t been a top priority in the past.

For those directly handling controlled substances, this checklist will guide you through each area of your facility related to controlled substances, making sure you’re meeting both DEA and State regulations.

If you’re a DEA registrant, it’s crucial to use this checklist to review how controlled substances issued under your license are being managed. It’s a great starting point for discussing compliance with your team and ensuring that every aspect of your facility is in line with regulations, protecting your license from potential risks.

Book a quick conversation, and we will walk you through how simple it can be to migrate from paper logbook to digital and the benefits of using VetSnap