How to Receive Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Training

Clinicians working to address the opioid epidemic may be eligible for free training to provide Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).

The National Health Service Corps is partnering with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to increase the number of Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) Waiver-certified clinicians in high-need communities.

SAMHSA’s Provider Clinical Support System (PCSS) offers the most effective, evidence-based clinical practices in preventing, identifying, and treating opioid-use disorder (OUD).

What is the DATA 2000 Waiver?

A Data 2000 Waiver refers to the Drug Addiction Treatment Act (DATA 2000) “waiver” legislation that authorized the outpatient use of buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD. The DATA 2000 Waiver helps improve access to OUD and substance-use disorder (SUD) treatment. It allows clinicians to dispense or prescribe narcotic medications like buprenorphine in settings other than an opioid treatment program (OTP).

Why should you complete MOUD training and obtain a DATA 2000 waiver?

• Be a part of the solution to our nation’s opioid epidemic.
• Help increase access to comprehensive SUD treatment in rural and underserved areas.
• Become a priority applicant for some NHSC loan repayment programs.
• Qualified disciplines can become eligible for the Loan Repayment Program Continuation Contract Award Enhancement.

Are you eligible for the PCSS DATA 2000 Waiver training?

You are eligible for free, discipline-specific MOUD Training if you have an active Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number to dispense controlled substances and are one of the following:

• Physician (Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO))
• Nurse practitioner (NP)
• Physician assistant (PA)
• Certified nurse midwives (CNM)
• Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA)
• Medical students*

The MD/DO training is eight hours. NP, PA, CNM, and CRNA training courses are 24 hours. You can take the training in-person or online.

*As a medical student, you may complete the MOUD training. However, you will not be eligible for the DATA 2000 waiver until after being licensed.

What else does the PCSS offer?

You can access free mentoring services. This helps you employ evidence-based practices when prescribing opioids and effectively use medications in treating OUD.

The mentoring program is available by telephone, email, or in person, in some cases.

How can you help spread the word?

Help other eligible clinicians learn about the MOUD training and DATA 2000 waiver opportunity. Download and share:

• Fact Sheet: Free Training to Provide Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment (PDF – 529 KB)