How do you find a doctor's DEA number?

While the Drug Enforcement Agency doesn't release physician registration information to the public, it's possible to check doctors' credentials by getting in touch with the state's medical board. According to the DEA, it is also possible to purchase an authorized copy of the database from the National Technical Information Service.

While there is a wide array of services online that claim to have the ability to provide information regarding a DEA number, the only one authorized by the federal government is provided by the National Technical Information Service. A valid DEA number contains two letters, six numbers and one check digit.