Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)

Provider Login

Program Overview

RCW 70.225 (2007) created Washington's PMP also known as Prescription Review. The program was created to improve patient care and to stop prescription drug misuse by collecting dispensing records for Schedule II, III, IV and V drugs, and by making the information available to medical providers and pharmacists as a patient care tool. Program rules, WAC 246-470, took effect August 27, 2011. The program started data collection from all dispensers October 7, 2011.

Registration, Access, and Use

Healthcare Providers

Providers required to use the PMP frequently asked questions

Healthcare Provider Account Registration Overview

Access to Prescription Review is through the Secure Access Washington (SAW) security gateway. To access Prescription Review you'll need to complete the following steps:

1. Set up a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account (if you don't already have one)

  • Resource: How to: Registration for PMP Web Portal Access
  • Registering healthcare providers will find the PMP service in SAW under “Department of Health” in the “browse” list.
  • Once identity verification (KBA) and authentication processes in SAW are completed you'll be passed to the PMP for the final step.

2. Register for your PMP account by filling out the online registration form

Washington licensed healthcare providers who successfully complete the above steps will be provided immediate access to the system. Delegate accounts will not have access for patient query functions until selected/linked by a prescriber.

If you need assistance email the DOH-PMP Technical Helpdesk. Program staff members work to assist system users and can do so efficiently when provided:

  • A direct phone line where you can be reached while you have access to a computer with internet connection.
  • A good day/time to call and connect directly with you (account owner). Help desk staff will communicate via email to confirm your appointment time to ensure the most efficient and respectful use of your time.

Healthcare Provider Access and Use

Accessing Information from Other States

The Washington State Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) query portal allows healthcare professionals to query the monitoring program databases of other states using the Multi-state query function. Washington's PMP also allows providers licensed by and practicing in other states to register for direct access to the Washington PMP query portal. The Washington PMP is a great resource for providers to gain a better understanding of the controlled substance medications dispensed to their patients by pharmacies operating under a Washington license.

What about medications that patients have received from pharmacies in other states?

This information is just as important for providers in making healthcare and prescribing decisions. Other states often allow PMP access to providers or prescribers licensed in another state for just this reason. Below you'll find links to the registration pages for our neighboring regional state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP):

Regional PDMP sites:

National PDMP list:

Tips and Tricks for Easier PMP Access and Use

Tips and tricks below reduce time and effort accessing PMP information

Dispensers and Data Uploaders

Access and Use for Dispensers and Data Uploaders

Technical Assistance

Bamboo Health hosts the PMP. If you need technical assistance with uploader account creation or data reporting please contact the Bamboo Health Helpdesk at: 877-719-3121

Required data submission

RCW 70.225 Created Washington's Prescription Monitoring Program, required dispensers to report any Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances and drugs of concern dispensed in Washington State or to an address in Washington to the WA PMP. The statute also authorized the Washington State Department of Health to establish rules for dispenser reporting. Mandatory reporting began on October 7, 2011.

Controlled substance reporting waiver (CSRW) (formally NDCS waiver)

Pharmacies that do not dispense controlled substances to Washington State residents may complete and submit a Controlled Substance Reporting Waiver (CSRW) online. The approved CSRW certification meets all zero reporting requirements for a non-dispensing facility from the date of approval to the end of the licensing period (May 31 annually).

Dispensers must ensure reporting covers all days of licensure. Zero reports must be submitted for any days of active licensure prior to CSRW approval or any lapse during the renewal period. 

By submitting a CSRW registration you are certifying that:

  • your pharmacy does not deliver any drugs required to be reported to the PMP (schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled substances or any other drugs added by the Pharmacy Commission) to ultimate users who have a Washington State address.
  • if your business practice changes regarding dispensing drugs covered by the program to ultimate users with a Washington State address, you will notify the Washington State Department of Health and begin data submission as required in RCW 70.225.
  • your pharmacy will resubmit/recertify this information/form each year (at the time of pharmacy license renewal) so long as the business does not dispense any substances required to be reported to the PMP.

Veterinarian data submission

WAC 246-470-035 - Dispensing and Data Submission Requirements for Veterinarians

Veterinarians have separate reporting requirements from pharmacies and other dispensing prescribers, which are outlined in the PMP rules and include: frequency of reporting, ability to mail/fax records and different required data fields.

Veterinarians are required to report the dispensing of controlled substances (Schedule II-V) and drugs identified by the board of pharmacy under WAC 246-470-020, dispensed for more than a fourteen-day supply to Washington's Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). Veterinarians should submit reports as often as is possible to keep the data relevant, but are required to report quarterly at minimum.

Submitting your data directly online is quick, easy and hassle free. Online reporting is available for your convenience.

Instructions for creating your uploader account (page 12) and submitting reports online (page 34) are in the WA Data Submission Dispenser Guide (PDF).

For information on alternative methods of reporting please contact the WA PMP at 360-236-4869.

Reporting period Report due date
January - March April 10
April - June July 10
July - September October 10
October - December January 10
Integration for Facilities, Pharmacies and Electronic Health Records Systems (EHR)

PMP-EHR Integration Mandate

During the 2019 Legislative Session, the legislature passed Substitute Senate Bill 5380, which included the addition of RCW 70.225.090. Specifically, the bill requires that facilities, entities, offices, or provider groups with ten or more prescribers, that are not critical access hospitals, must demonstrate the ability to integrate their Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems with the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). The bill directs the department to develop a waiver process for this integration requirement.

There are currently two ways to integrate a Health Care Organization's EHR with the PMP: the state's Health Information Exchange, OneHealthPort (OHP), and approved direct integration options, such as Bamboo Health's (formerly Appriss Health) PMP Gateway.

  • If you wish to get more information on integrating your organization's EHR through OHP you can fill out OHP's HIE Support Request form. For PMP integrations select "Other" in the form and indicate you are interested in PMP integration. Someone from OHP will reach out after the form has been submitted.
  • If you wish to get more information on integrating your organization's EHR through Bamboo Health's PMP Gateway please visit the Bamboo Health PMP Integration Request page and fill out the form on the right-hand side. Once the form is submitted you will receive an email inviting you to register for a product overview webinar. If you have questions about the integration process or specific questions about PMP Gateway, please email Bamboo Health account support.

CR-103 filed for SSB 5380 PMP-EHR integration mandate waivers rulemaking

During the 2019 Legislative Session, the legislature passed Substitute Senate Bill 5380, which included the addition of RCW 70.225.090. Specifically the bill requires that facilities, entities, offices, or provider groups with ten of more prescribers, that are not critical access hospitals, must demonstrate the ability to integrate their Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems with the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). The bill directs the department to develop a waiver process for this integration requirement.

The department filed a CR103 with the office of the code reviser on September 7, 2021, under WSR 21-19-018, to notify the public of the adopted new rules that establish the PMP-EHR waiver criteria. The time-limited waiver will be available for those that can demonstrate an inability to comply with the mandate due to economic hardship, technological limitations, or other exceptional circumstances.

CR 103 PMP-EHR integration mandate waiver rules (PDF)

New SB 5380 Waiver Attestation Forms for the e-prescribing and PMP-EHR integration mandate

New SB 5380 Waiver Attestation Forms for the e-prescribing mandate and PMP-EHR integration mandate can be found here.

EHR/PMP Integration Waiver Attestation Form

Washington State law requires all facilities, entities, offices, or provider groups with ten(10) or more prescribers using a federally certified electronic health records (EHR) system to demonstrate that EHR system is able to fully integrate data to and from the prescription monitoring program using a mechanism approved by the Department of Health.

  • The department may issue a waiver of this requirement to any facility, entity, office, or provider group that meets one of the qualifications for a waiver. Waivers will be granted upon submission of an attestation form.
  • Attestations last for one year and may be renewed two (2) times for a total of three (3) waivers, except in the case of other exceptional circumstance waivers. Other exceptional circumstance waivers may be submitted an unlimited number of times.
  • Please note: Waivers are valid for one calendar year. Beginning in December each year you may submit a waiver for the following year. Waivers submitted part way through the year are valid for that calendar year and will not be prorated. Submit your attestation form.
  • Please contact the PMP Program if you have any questions or if you need assistance.
Report Missing and Inaccurate PMP Data

Review of patient controlled substance history available on the PMP is an effective evidence-based intervention for ensuring safe prescribing and patient safety. As we battle against the ongoing opioid epidemic in Washington and nationwide, healthcare providers increasingly rely on PMP(s) for ensuring safe prescribing for patients. It's of the highest importance data on the PMP is complete and accurate. Assurance that PMP data is accurate and complete is the responsibility of these groups:

  • Dispensers (mainly pharmacies, but also any dispenser of controlled substances)
    • Ensure compliance to law and rule by reporting dispensing data, and working to ensure data reporting is complete, timely, and accurate.
  • Healthcare providers
    • Review PMP data to ensure safe prescribing, and report missing data to the Department of Health for follow up by filing a complaint.
  • Prescribers
    • Ensure accurate recording of patients' legal identity and date of birth, from picture ID whenever available, when writing (controlled substance) prescriptions to ensure all PMP data is available for the patients' identity.
  • The Department of Health / Prescription Monitoring Program
    • Review dispenser reporting compliance and follow up with reports of missing patient PMP data to ensure complete, timely, accurate, compliant reporting by dispensers.
    • Provide verified information of non-compliant dispenser reporting to the Department of Health complaint intake for follow up and if necessary, license discipline.
  • Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission
    • Support patient safety by working to ensure accurate and complete PMP data is available to prescribers and other healthcare providers through supporting PMP reporting compliance, and by taking disciplinary action where and when necessary. (Non-pharmacy dispensers fall under the disciplinary authority of their licensing board or commission).

Report prescription fraud, forgery or theft of prescription pads to the Pharmacy Commission

Report prescription abuse to DEA

Healthcare providers reviewing prescribing data from the PMP from time-to-time may find records missing or data errors from the patient's PMP report. Before filing a complaint to report missing or inaccurate records, providers should ensure the record(s) in question:

  • Is for a prescribed substance required to be reported to PMP.
  • Is for a prescribed substance dispensed within Washington State.
  • Is for a prescribed substance intended for more than 24 hours dose/use.
  • Is for a prescribed substance dispensed to control/authority of the end user/patient (not dispensed to authority of Long Term Care or administered from within the care setting)
  • Is for a controlled substance dispensed to the patient (patients at times may opt to not fill prescribed medications).
  • Has had enough time (more than three days) pass since dispensing to allow the record to be "live" on the PMP system.
  • Isn't on the system under a partial name or nickname (under "Chris" rather than "Christopher" or vice versa), different (previous or more recent) address, a miss-keyed or incorrect date of birth.

When the missing or inaccurate record meets the criteria above, the healthcare provider should report the discrepancy to the Washington State Department of Health by filing a complaint. The complaint should contain as much information about the missing or inaccurate record as possible to allow the PMP to follow up with the prescriber and reporting dispenser. Please identify the pharmacy or other dispenser whenever possible.

Once filed, complaints of missing or inaccurate PMP data will be reviewed by the appropriate licensing authority and logged to the offending dispenser's license. The complaint may be forwarded to the Prescription Monitoring Program where it will be researched for validity. PMP will inform the dispenser of the complaint and missing data, and offer assistance to correct the information. PMP will file a complaint to the licensing authority when a dispenser doesn't bring reporting into compliance with PMP laws and rules.

Contact the department at 360-236-4806 or email us if you have any questions.

Requesting PMP History Reports

A patient may request a copy of their own PMP report be provided by their healthcare provider (prescriber or pharmacist). The healthcare provider has authority to access the PMP and provide a copy of the patient's report directly to the patient, however they are not obligated to provide a copy.

WAC 246-470-040 provides the process by which a patient or a patient's personal representative may obtain a report listing all prescription monitoring information that pertains to the patient from the department. These reports must be picked up in person from the department in Tumwater as program staff members must verify the requesting patient's identity in person prior to releasing any records. Contact PMP staff members to receive more information or to begin this request process.

Legal requests for PMP records may be submitted to PrescriptionMonitoring@doh.wa.gov and must be made by court order or grand jury subpoena as outlined in RCW 70.225.040.

WAC 246-470-060 provides information about the process by which Law enforcement, prosecutorial officials, coroners, and medical examiners may obtain access to the PMP system under RCW 70.225.040.

Please contact program staff members with any questions.

Laws and Rules

Overview

The Washington Legislature passed a law (RCW 70.225) authorizing the Prescription Monitoring Program in 2007. The law gave ownership of the program to the Department of Health.

The department held a public hearing, received and reviewed comments during the public comment period, made necessary changes and filed the rules for adoption on July 27, 2011. The rules (WAC 246-470) took effect on August 27, 2011.

Active PMP Rules Projects

PMP Rulemaking Project – CR 103 Form (PDF)

PMP Rulemaking Project – CR 102 Form (PDF)

Notice of Updates to Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Rulemaking Project

PMP Rulemaking Project Proposed Language (PDF)

Notice of Rulemaking for Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) to Clarify Rules, Terms, and Definitions Relating to the Prescription Monitoring Program (govdelivery.com)

PMP Rules Workshop Notes 3/19/2024 (PDF)

PMP Rulemaking Project – CR 101 Form (PDF)

During the 2019 Legislative Session the legislature passed Substitute Senate Bill 5380, which included the addition of RCW 70.225.090. Specifically the bill requires that facilities, entities, offices, or provider groups with 10 or more prescribers, that are not critical access hospitals, must demonstrate the ability to integrate their Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems with the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). The bill directs the department to develop a waiver process for this integration requirement.

The Department will write rules to create the waiver application process to establish the criteria for affected facilities, entities, offices, or provider groups to receive a waiver from the Department to exempt them from complying with the EHR-PMP integration mandate which goes into effect on January 1, 2021. The time-limited waiver will be available for those that can demonstrate an inability to integrate an EHR with the PMP due to economic hardship, technological limitations that are not reasonably in the control of the facility, entity, office, or provider group, or other exceptional circumstance demonstrated by the facility, entity, office, or provider group.

The department will hold stakeholder meetings to gather feedback on the rules. If you would like to receive information regarding this rule-making process, please subscribe to updates through the 5380 PMP Integration Workgroup.

Waiver from the integration requirement

On April 24, 2020, the Secretary of Health exercised his authority under RCW 70.225.090(2)(b) to grant a nine month waiver from complying with the requirements of RCW 70.225.090(2)(a) to all facilities, entities, offices, and provider groups that are subject to the requirements due to the burdens placed on our state's health care entities under the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington State. This waiver will expire on September 30, 2021.

Waiver from the integration requirement letter (PDF)

Resources

More Resources

Prescription monitoring programs

Abuse, misuse and diversion of prescription drugs^

If you're interested in receiving updates and notifications about the Prescription Monitoring Program regarding participating in the rule process, select the green “Subscribe" button at the bottom of this page and add “Prescription Monitoring Program” as one of your DOH subscription topics, email the program, send a fax to 360-236-2901 or mail program staff at Prescription Monitoring Program, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia WA 98504-7852.