How to Receive Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Training
Clinicians working to address the opioid epidemic may be eligible for free training to provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
The National Health Service Corps is partnering with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to increase the number of Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) Waiver–certified clinicians in high-need communities.
SAMHSA’s Provider Clinical Support System (PCSS) offers the most effective, evidence-based clinical practices in preventing, identifying, and treating opioid-use disorder (OUD).
What Is the DATA 2000 Waiver?
The DATA 2000 Waiver (also called a MAT Waiver) helps improve access to OUD and substance-use disorder (SUD) treatment. It allows clinicians to dispense or prescribe narcotic medications like buprenorphine in settings other than an opioid treatment program (OTP).
Why Obtain a DATA 2000 Waiver?
- Be a part of the solution to our nation’s opioid epidemic.
- Help increase access to comprehensive SUD treatment in rural and underserved areas.
- Become a priority applicant for some NHSC loan repayment programs.
- Qualified disciplines can become eligible for the Loan Repayment Program Continuation Contract MAT Award Enhancement.
Eligibility for the PCSS DATA 2000 Waiver Training
You are eligible for free, discipline specific MAT Waiver Training if you have an active Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number to dispense controlled substances and are one of the following:
- Physician (Doctor of Medicine [MD] or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine [DO])
- Nurse practitioner (NP)
- Physician assistant (PA)
- Certified nurse midwives (CNM)
- Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA)
- Medical students*
The MD/DO training is eight hours. NP, PA, CNM, and CRNA training courses are 24 hours. You can take the training in-person or online.
*As a medical student, you may complete the MAT training. However, you will not be eligible for the DATA 2000 waiver until after being licensed.
Provider Clinical Support System (PCSS) Offerings
You can access free mentoring services. This helps you employ evidence-based practices when prescribing opioids and effectively use medications in treating OUD.
The mentoring program is available by telephone, email, or in person, in some cases.
Additional Information
Help other eligible clinicians learn about the MAT training and DATA 2000 waiver opportunity. Download and share:
Fact Sheet: Free Training to Provide Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
MAT Training and Loan Repayment Toolkit
NHSC Loan Repayment Program Application and Program Guidance
FY 2021 LRP Continuation Contract Application and Program Guidance