Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance under federal law
Ketamine is listed in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. Prescribing, dispensing, recordkeeping, and storage are subject to DEA registration requirements, and state controlled-substance rules apply in addition to federal ones.
This page has been written and edited by the publisher. It has not been reviewed by a licensed clinician.
Record details
- Agency
- DEA
- Jurisdiction
- United States (federal)
- Status
- Final action
- Published
- 1999
- Effective
- Not applicable / not verified
- Expires
- Not applicable / not verified
- Last checked
- August 24, 2026
Why it matters
Scheduling drives who may prescribe, how telehealth prescribing is regulated, and what a legitimate clinic's compliance posture should look like.
Primary source
DEA — Controlled Substances Act schedules
Back to the Regulatory Tracker.
Publisher and editor of Ketalux, based in Chicago, Illinois. Ira is a ketamine therapy patient, not a clinician. This is editorial review, not medical review: Ira is not a licensed clinician and does not provide diagnosis or medical care. Ketalux does not accept compensation from providers in exchange for favorable editorial coverage, evidence ratings, recommendations, patient referrals, or organic provider ranking. Read the full publisher disclosure →
Educational use only. The content on this page is provided for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ketamine and related therapies carry risks and are appropriate only under qualified medical supervision. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional about your individual situation. Information may change as research evolves.