The ASAM Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Course 8-Hour Online - PCSS Universities

Welcome to The ASAM Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Course. This course provides 8 hours of education needed for physicians*  to receive a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine in an office-based setting. More information on waiver requirements can be found on the SAMHSA website.

To begin the online course, please log-in to your right and locate the box that says, "View Course" in the "Contents" tab. If you do not know your password, or you have forgotten it, select "Forgot Password" and you will be emailed a link to reset your password.

All online modules and quizzes must be completed before you can claim credit for the course. Detailed instructions for completing the  course can be found under the tab titled, "Course Instructions."

After completing the online modules, corresponding quizzes, and applicable evaluations, return here to claim CME for the course. If you have any questions, please contact education@ASAM.org.

*NPs, PAs, CNMs, CRNAs, and other CNSs are required to complete no less than 24 hours of training.

Learning Objectives:

1. Assess patients for the full spectrum of harmful opioid use including misuse and use disorder
2. Describe the current epidemiologic trends in opioid misuse including overdose and use disorders
3. Recall opioid use neurobiology as it applies to the development of an opioid use disorder and relapse risk
4. Summarize the laws regulating office-based opioid treatment including the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016
5. Summarize the clinical pharmacology, efficacy and safety of methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone in treating opioid use disorder
6. Identify and assess patients who are appropriate for treatment with medications for an opioid use disorder in an office-based setting
7. Describe procedures for setting up office systems to support medication prescribing for opioid use disorder
8. Describe procedures for initiating, stabilizing, maintaining, monitoring and modifying treatment of patients on buprenorphine or naltrexone
9. Summarize the assessment and management of patients with psychiatric and medical co-morbidities associated with opioid use disorder
10. Describe unique issues of treating adolescents, young adults, pregnant and postpartum patients maintained on medications for opioid use disorder
11. Summarize acute and chronic pain management strategies for patients with an opioid use disorder
12. Apply for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine to patients with opioid use disorder

The Drug Abuse Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) specifies no less than 8 hours of training is necessary for physicians to obtain a waiver to engage in office-based treatment of opioid use disorder using drugs approved by the FDA on Schedules III, IV, and V. This course addresses those requirements using a curriculum approved by CSAT/SAMHSA and ASAM, who is one of the national organizations named in the DATA 2000 legislation as eligible to prepare and administer these courses.

For 24-Hour Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Course issuing AANP CE Credit: Click Here

For 24-Hour Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Course issuing AAPA Category 1 CME Credit or AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credit: Click Here

ASAM, AAPA and AANP have formed a collaborative to provide the 24-hour waiver training for physician assistants and nurse practitioners. The three organizations are authorized by statute to provide this training. Educational content has been identified and/or created to satisfy the 24-hour requirement as described in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA).

To qualify for a waiver, NPs and PAs must:
• Be licensed under state law to prescribe Schedule III, IV, or V medications for pain
• Complete no less than 24 hours of appropriate education through a qualified provider
• Through other training or experience, demonstrate the ability to treat and manage OUD
• If required by state law, be supervised or work in collaboration with a qualifying physician to prescribe medications for the treatment of OUD

Please ensure that your state regulations allow you to prescribe buprenorphine and other medications to treat Opioid Use Disorder before you apply for the waiver. Some states may have overriding state legislation that will prevent NPs/PAs from prescribing these medications even if Federal law allows it. Click here to learn more about applying for the waiver.

This training is divided into two parts of 8 hours and 16 hours. If you have already completed the 8-hour DATA2000 course, you will only need to complete the second part of the 16-hour course.

Available Now for CNS, CRNA, and CNM!

H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act, added qualifying clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives to list of practitioners eligible to prescribe buprenorphine until October 1, 2023. The ASAM Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Course is available for qualifying clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives. 

1. Providers who wish to obtain a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine in office-based treatment of opioid use disorders.
2. Clinicians and healthcare team members working with providers who prescribe buprenorphine in office-based treatment of opioid use disorders.

The ASAM Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Course has been made available in part by an unrestricted educational grant from Indivior Inc.