Can I get ADHD stimulants by telehealth after 2026?
General educational information, not medical or legal advice. For questions about your own treatment, talk with your own clinician.
Short answer: it depends on a federal rule that hasn't been published yet.
Right now, through the end of December 31, 2026, a DEA-registered clinician may prescribe Schedule II–V controlled substances, which include most ADHD stimulants, by telemedicine without an in-person visit first, if certain conditions are met (42 CFR 12.1; Federal Register).
The DEA's planned replacement is a "special registration" for telemedicine. In the January 2025 proposal, telehealth prescribing of Schedule II medications would require an Advanced Telemedicine Prescribing Registration, limited to certain board-certified specialties such as psychiatry (proposed rule). A final version reached White House review on Aug 25, 2026 (reginfo.gov). Its text isn't public.
So whether you can keep getting stimulants by telehealth after January 1, 2027 may depend on what the final rule says, whether the deadline is extended again, your clinician's specialty and registrations, and your state's laws. We'll update this page when the final rule is published. Full rules explainer.
Questions you could ask your own clinic: How are you preparing for the end of the temporary rules? Will patients need an in-person visit? Is my prescriber registered and licensed for my state?
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