In this guide
- What it's for
- How to complete it
What DEA Form 222 is for
Form 222 documents a Schedule II transaction between DEA registrants — ordering, or transferring Schedule II drugs to a reverse distributor for destruction. It creates the official chain-of-custody record. Many registrants now use the electronic CSOS equivalent.
How to complete Form 222
- Enter the supplier/recipient DEA registration details
- List each Schedule II drug, its size, and the number of packages
- Sign and date it as the authorized registrant
- Keep your copy; the other copies go with the transaction
- Retain the record for at least two years
Common mistakes
- Incomplete or mismatched registrant details
- Errors in package counts (no cross-outs allowed)
- Missing signatures
- Not retaining the copy for two years
Frequently asked questions
What is DEA Form 222 used for?
It documents ordering and transferring Schedule II controlled substances between DEA registrants — including transfers to a reverse distributor for destruction.
How do I fill out DEA Form 222?
Enter the registrant details, list each Schedule II drug with package sizes and counts, sign and date it, distribute the copies, and retain your copy for at least two years. No cross-outs are allowed.
Is there an electronic version of Form 222?
Yes — the DEA's Controlled Substance Ordering System (CSOS) is the electronic equivalent many registrants now use.
Keep reading
Controlled Substance Inventory & Recordkeeping: A DEA Guide
Initial and biennial inventories, perpetual logs, Form 222 records, the 2-year rule, and how documented disposal closes the loop.
Read guide →Controlled Substance DestructionDrug Diversion in Healthcare: Prevention, Detection & Disposal
Where diversion happens, how facilities prevent and detect it, and why documented non-retrievable destruction closes the loop.
Read guide →Controlled Substance DestructionHow to Properly Destroy Controlled Drugs: DEA Forms 222, 41 & COD Explained
When you need Form 222 vs. Form 41, what a Certificate of Destruction proves, and the steps that keep you audit-ready.
Read guide →