# Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-302: Handlers of controlled substances - Registration and inspection > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-302 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-302 - **Heading:** Handlers of controlled substances - Registration and inspection - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 53 / Chapter 11 / Section 53-11-302 ## Text (a) Every person who manufactures, distributes, dispenses, or is a third-party logistics provider for any controlled substance pursuant to § 53-11-301 within this state or who proposes to engage in the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, warehousing, or providing logistics services for any controlled substance within this state, shall annually obtain a registration issued by the board of pharmacy and the appropriate occupational or professional licensing board governing persons who may legally dispense controlled substances in accordance with the licensing board's rules. (b) Persons registered by the board of pharmacy and the appropriate occupational or professional licensing board governing persons who may legally dispense controlled substances under this part, part 4 of this chapter, and title 39, chapter 17, part 4, to manufacture, distribute, dispense, warehouse, or provide logistics services for controlled substances may possess, manufacture, warehouse, distribute, or dispense those substances to the extent authorized by their registration and in conformity with this section. (c) The following persons need not register and may lawfully possess controlled substances under this part, part 4 of this chapter and title 39, chapter 17, part 4: (1) A common or contract carrier or warehouseman, or an employee of a common or contract carrier or warehouseman, whose possession of any controlled substance is in the usual course of business or employment; or (2) An ultimate user or a person in possession of any controlled substance pursuant to a lawful order of a practitioner or in lawful possession of a Schedule V substance. (d) The board of pharmacy and the appropriate occupational or professional licensing board governing persons who may legally dispense controlled substances may waive by rule the requirement for registration of certain manufacturers, distributors, dispensers, or entities providing warehousing or logistics services if they find it consistent with the public health and safety. (e) A separate registration is required at each principal place of business or professional practice where the applicant manufactures, distributes or dispenses controlled substances. (f) The board of pharmacy and the appropriate occupational or professional licensing board governing persons who may legally dispense controlled substances may inspect the establishment of a registrant or applicant for registration in accordance with the board's rules and regulations. Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 293,s 1, eff. 4/24/2015. Acts 1971, ch. 163, § 18; 1977, ch. 180, § 3; T.C.A., § 52-1425; Acts 1996, ch. 675, §§ 51, 52. (a) Every person who manufactures, distributes, dispenses, or is a third-party logistics provider for any controlled substance pursuant to § 53-11-301 within this state or who proposes to engage in the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, warehousing, or providing logistics services for any controlled substance within this state, shall annually obtain a registration issued by the board of pharmacy and the appropriate occupational or professional licensing board governing persons who may legally dispense controlled substances in accordance with the licensing board's rules. (b) Persons registered by the board of pharmacy and the appropriate occupational or professional licensing board governing persons who may legally dispense controlled substances under this part, part 4 of this chapter, and title 39, chapter 17, part 4, to manufacture, distribute, dispense, warehouse, or provide logistics services for controlled substances may possess, manufacture, warehouse, distribute, or dispense those substances to the extent authorized by their registration and in conformity with this section. ing persons who may legally dispense controlled substances under this part, part 4 of this chapter, and title 39, chapter 17, part 4, to manufacture, distribute, dispense, warehouse, or provide logistics services for controlled substances may possess, manufacture, warehouse, distribute, or dispense those substances to the extent authorized by their registration and in conformity with this section. (c) The following persons need not register and may lawfully possess controlled substances under this part, part 4 of this chapter and title 39, chapter 17, part 4: (1) A common or contract carrier or warehouseman, or an employee of a common or contract carrier or warehouseman, whose possession of any controlled substance is in the usual course of business or employment; or (2) An ultimate user or a person in possession of any controlled substance pursuant to a lawful order of a practitioner or in lawful possession of a Schedule V substance. (1) A common or contract carrier or warehouseman, or an employee of a common or contract carrier or warehouseman, whose possession of any controlled substance is in the usual course of business or employment; or (2) An ultimate user or a person in possession of any controlled substance pursuant to a lawful order of a practitioner or in lawful possession of a Schedule V substance. (d) The board of pharmacy and the appropriate occupational or professional licensing board governing persons who may legally dispense controlled substances may waive by rule the requirement for registration of certain manufacturers, distributors, dispensers, or entities providing warehousing or logistics services if they find it consistent with the public health and safety. (e) A separate registration is required at each principal place of business or professional practice where the applicant manufactures, distributes or dispenses controlled substances. (f) The board of pharmacy and the appropriate occupational or professional licensing board governing persons who may legally dispense controlled substances may inspect the establishment of a registrant or applicant for registration in accordance with the board's rules and regulations. Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 293,s 1, eff. 4/24/2015. Acts 1971, ch. 163, § 18; 1977, ch. 180, § 3; T.C.A., § 52-1425; Acts 1996, ch. 675, §§ 51, 52. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-201 Procedure in confiscation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-201.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-203 Procedure final when no claim interposed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-203.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-204 Disposition of proceeds](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-204.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-301 Rules and fees for controlled drugs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-301.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-302 Handlers of controlled substances - Registration and inspection](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-302.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-303 Criteria for registration issuance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-303.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-304 Suspension and revocation of registration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-304.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-305 Revocation, suspension or denial of registration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-305.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-306 Records and inventories required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-306.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-307 Inter-registrant distribution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-307.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-308 Prescription requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-308.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-309 Reporting persons obtaining or attempting to obtain controlled substances - Immunity - Exception](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-309.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-310 Identification requirements for dispensing of certain Schedule II to IV prescription medications for greater than a seven-day supply](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-310.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-311 Use of buprenorphine products](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-311.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C11_S53-11-302. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.