The current VIN date & time: Eastern

VIN DRIP003-2021: Opioid 411 (3 CE Hour) Self-Study

This course is a self-paced, non-interactive course.

Presenters: Lance Roasa, DVM, MS, JD
Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM(SAIM), CVJ
Course Open: January 29-December 31, 2021
Total CE Credit: 3
RACE Category: 1 hours Medical, 2 hours Non-Medical

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Course Information:
This course covers opioid prescribing by veterinarians in precise detail and provides participants with a broad range of expert level knowledge on subjects including DEA laws and regulations, identifying and stopping misuse, and more.

It is designed to fulfill the continuing education requirements for all states that have mandated 3 CE hours on Controlled Drugs, which include: Arizona, Illinois, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

Does your state require 1 hour CE? See: DRIP001-2021: Opioid 411 (1 Credit) Self-Study

Does your state require 2 hours CE? See: DRIP002-2021: Opioid 411 (2 Credit) Self-Study

To earn a certificate of completion the participant must complete all learning modules and score 80% or better on the end-of-course test. Completion of the course will take a minimum of 139 minutes. Participants must complete the participation requirements by December 31, 2021 to be eligible for a certificate.

To learn more about the requirements for earning a non-interactive CE certificate, please refer to Non-Interactive CE Certificate Requirements.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • understand the gravity of the Opioid Crisis in America.
  • understand the sequlea of events for addiction.
  • understand the source of opioids fueling the crisis.
  • identify the applicable DEA rules and regulations regarding controlled drugs in veterinary practices.
  • understand common mechanisms used for diversion.
  • create systems to prevent diversion and misuse.
  • understand current medical theory for uses of opioids in practice.
  • develop alternatives and replacements to opioid use.
  • identify best practices for the ordering, storage, use, dispensing and prescribing of opioids in veterinary practice.
  • describe how opioids provide analgesia.
  • describe common clinical signs of pain in cats and dogs.
  • develop enhanced awareness of non-opioid interventions for pain control.

Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE self-study course is open for enrollment to veterinarians actively interested in opioid prescribing. This course is open to VIN members only.
Accreditation: This non-interactive course is approved for 3 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians. (RACE 20-763219)

Course Agenda:

Module 1: Opioid Addiction, DEA Laws, Identifying and Stopping Misuse
Total Time: 29 minutes
Video: 29 minutes

Module 2: The Science of Pain, Pain Scales, Appropriate Treatment and Alternative Therapies
Total Time: 57 minutes
Video: 57 minutes

Module 3: Clinical Best Practices, Liability and Monitoring Programs
Total Time: 38 minutes
Video: 38 minutes

Module 4: End of Course Test
Total Time: 15 minutes
Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course.

Module 5: Course Evaluation

To learn more about the requirements for earning a non-interactive self-study CE certificate, please refer to Non-Interactive CE Certificate Requirements.


Enrollment is closed.


Tuition: VIN Member $69
Prices are listed in US dollars.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  3. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to starting the course. If you wish to withdraw after you have started this self-study course, please contact the VSPN office 800-846-0028, ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VIN's upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director

VIN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357