NPACE (DEA) MATE Act Bundle 2026

Details

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, beginning June 7, 2023, all providers who are registered with the DEA are required to complete 8 hours of training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid and other substance use disorders. This bundle fully satisfies this one-time requirement.

FORMAT OPTIONS

Streaming Online Video

ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS

This bundle is hosted on the site of our educational partner, NPACE. After you purchase the bundle, you will immediately receive a confirmation email from APEA's CE Center with instructions on how to access your purchase. You will be required to create an account on NPACE.org.

Once logged in on NPACE, you will need to complete all of the components of each individual course in the bundle. Each course is comprised of a pre-test, presentation, course evaluation, and post-test. You will have unlimited attempts to pass the post-test. Upon completing these components and passing the post-test, you will receive your CME certificate.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

To Prescribe or Not to Prescribe? Benzodiazepines in an Era of Prescription Drug Abuse

This presentation will focus on the class of anxiolytics known as the benzodiazepines. Over the years, prescribers have had a love/hate relationship with these controlled substances. Upon completion of this presentation, participants will learn the benefits and risks related to the safe prescribing of benzodiazepines for individuals with various symptom presentations. The presentation will address the risks and cautions related to the prescribing of benzodiazepines with various medications, including the opioids and stimulants and in various healthcare settings. Participants also will receive tips to identify the warning signs of benzodiazepine abuse and techniques to safely taper and discontinue these medications to minimize the discomfort of withdrawal.

DEA Prescribing Rules, Regulations and Updates

During the last 20 years, the rules and regulations regarding pain, opioid prescribing and opioid use disorder have changed significantly. Attendees will be taught the latest and most up-to-date information on DEA’s authority and background, licensing, registration, drug diversion, telemedicine, medication assistance treatment, nationwide opioid prescribing guidelines and case studies, along with learning risk mitigation strategies and best practices that will safeguard their practices. The instructor is a former DEA Special Agent with over 30 years of public service with real life prescription opioid experience.

Recognition and Management of Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders: An Update on Evidence-Based Strategies

Healthcare providers in the United States are well positioned to recognize substance use in their patients. Providers are also key in taking steps to address issues of substance use before it escalates to abuse. Unfortunately, substance use and abuse in adolescents remains undertreated in the United States. Early intervention in adolescents with substance use/abuse disorders is crucial in averting economic cost in this population group. This presentation will review treatment options for adolescents who present with various types of substance use disorders. Motivators for seeking treatment as well as gender and ethnicity will also be addressed. Barriers to treatment will also be discussed.

Opioid Use Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment

This presentation offers a comprehensive exploration of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), equipping nurse practitioners and healthcare professionals with essential tools to address this growing crisis. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the assessment and diagnosis of OUD using DSM-5-TR criteria, along with strategies for managing opioid intoxication, overdose, and withdrawal. The session will also cover evidence-based treatment options, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, emphasizing a patient-centered approach. With a focus on practical application and current statistics, this engaging and informative talk will prepare participants to effectively recognize and treat OUD, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Opioid Prescribing Update

In response to the public health crisis of opioid abuse and overdose, the US Food & Drug Administration issued a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). The REMS is part of a larger federal effort to reduce risks associated with the prescribing of long-term opioid therapy. With this national response, has come a recognition that improved knowledge of opioid safety is an essential clinical practice competency for all prescribers of opioids. This program discusses pain from a contextual perspective, patient selection and assessment of risk associated with opioid use for long-term management of chronic pain, as well as the use of opioids in the acute care setting and transition of care from the acute care setting into the community. The current 2022 CDC guidelines will be discussed. Case studies will be presented to build skills of improved recognition of opioid use disorder and decision making as to when patients should be weaned off of chronic opioids.

Cutting Through the Smoke Clearing the Air about Medicinal Cannabis

You have heard about cannabis, you know a little bit of the differences between THC and CBD, and you have a vague grasp on the endocannabinoid system, now your patient wants to try medicinal cannabis. What are the BASICS that you need to know? Is this you, “I am a busy clinician, and I have 15, maybe 20 minutes to learn all that I need to know about cannabis.”? This updated lecture will provide the busy clinician with the basics they need to knowledgably discuss medical cannabis and provide patients with the essentials to move forward safely.

TIME TO COMPLETE

After you access this bundle on NPACE's website, you will have 90 days to complete the entire contents of the bundle and claim all contents.

CREDITS

NPACE designates this educational activity for a maximum of 8.5 CNE credit(s), of which 8 is pharmacology credit. Courses' Expiration Date: December 31st, 2026

DISCLAIMER

The material presented in this continuing education program is being made available for educational purposes only and is not intended to represent the best or only methods, medications and/or guidelines appropriate for the medical situation discussed. Rather the material is intended to present an approach, view, statement, or opinion of the presenter(s), which may be helpful, or of interest to other practitioners and should not be used by clinicians without the evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. NPACE disclaims any liability, loss, injury, or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any information given in a presentation.

DISCLOSURE OF UNLABELED USE

This educational activity may mention the uses of products that are not approved by the FDA for the indication(s) being discussed. The presenter(s) are instructed to notify participants when they are discussing unapproved uses or investigational agents. The opinions related to unapproved uses of products are solely those of the presenter(s) and are not endorsed or recommended by NPACE. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

COMMERCIAL SUPPORT

There is no commercial support for this activity.

ACCREDITED PROVIDER

Provider Accreditation Statement

Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education (NPACE) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC).

In addition to ANCC, NPACE is approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by: the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP8720 and Florida CE Broker #50-1476.

FACULTY

Josh Hamilton, DNP, RN-BC, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CTMH, CNE, FAANP

Dr. Josh Hamilton bases his clinical practice in Las Vegas, NV. With more than two decades of nursing experience, he also holds professorial appointments, leadership positions and consults extensively in the higher education space. Previously, he was Associate Medical Director for the largest managed care behavioral health network in the Desert Southwest. He served on the Nevada Board of Nursing’s Advanced Practice and Educational Advisory Committees and spearheaded the Donate Life campaign at the state level.

His professional interests include neurobiology, pharmacology and epigenetics. He is an internationally-recognized speaker on these (and related) topics at conferences and professional meetings. He works with a variety of organizations to develop, review and present live and enduring continuing education activities. Engagements include the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Myriad Neuroscience, MedIQ, Nurse Practitioner Continuing Education Associates (NPACE), and Vindico Medical Education. He serves on the psychiatric medication working group at the Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science & Innovation, a FDA-sponsored project at the University of Maryland.

Dr. Hamilton earned his doctorate in nursing from Rush University in Chicago. At the University of Wyoming, he earned a baccalaureate degree in Natural Science and Mathematics as well as a master’s degree in Nursing. He also has an undergraduate degree in Biology. He is nationally certified as a psychiatric-mental health nurse; family nurse practitioner; family psychiatric nurse practitioner, telemental healthcare provider, and nurse educator. He was recognized as a doctoral scholar by the National League for Nursing, and he is a fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. He was recognized for establishing a unique clinic structure that improves access to cost-effective, convenient, quality mental healthcare. His academic connections fostered synergies and renewed attention to nursing education that focuses on care for the vulnerable mentally ill population in Nevada and across the nation. Dr. Hamilton is also a master clinical psychopharmacologist (through the Neuroscience Education Institute), and he was the 2015 Distinguished Alumnus at his alma mater, the University of Wyoming. He is the Nevada state representative for AANP.

A classically trained pianist, Dr. Hamilton enjoys live music, international travel and automobiles. He is an active supporter of local animal rescue and rehoming efforts, as well as charities that provide critical transportation for patients in need of distant life-saving specialty healthcare. Dr. Hamilton grew up in Casper, Wyoming, with his sights set on medical school. He originally pursued a nursing degree thinking the experience would make him a better physician. Along the way, he discovered an affinity and passion for the humanistic, health-promoting philosophy of nursing. He has since devoted his career to clinical practice, furthering the cause of the profession and educating future leaders in the healthcare field.

Learn more about Dr. Josh Hamilton at www.linkedin.com/in/hamiltondnp

Dennis A. Wichern

Dennis Wichern is a partner in PDC, where he focuses his efforts on DEA compliance, opioid risk mitigation initiatives and training services to protect providers, pharmacies, healthcare organizations and OTP’s nationwide. His experience includes 30 years of public service as a DEA Special Agent retiring in 2018 as the Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division where he directed all criminal and diversion control operations with a team of approximately 550 employees.

Dennis was the first to develop DEA compliance services and training relating to pain and prescription opioids, SAMHSA MAT and OTP’s regulations, hospital, pharmacy, ASC’s, and drug researcher protocols. Dennis is a recognized expert on the dangers of heroin and the prescription drug epidemic and routinely speaks to providers, healthcare organizations, ASC’s, OTP’s, and pharmacies to identify methods to better safeguard their practices and reduce the professional and operational risks emanating from these threats.

Dennis has been a guest lecturer on medical prescriber safeguards to medical students, residents, providers and medical staff specialists at Harvard Medical School, UCLA, Northwestern, Indiana University, the Illinois State Medical Society, and multiple hospital and professional organizations across the nation.

Charitta Ernewein, PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, SANE-A

Charrita Ernewein, PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, SANE-A, FAANP is a family nurse practitioner specializing in pediatrics. She is an Assistant Professor at The University of Tampa and works for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Dr. Ernewein completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, her Master of Science at South University, her Doctoral Nurse Practitioner at South University in Tampa, Florida, and her PhD at University of Central Florida. Dr. Ernewein holds a national certification with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and a certification as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Dr. Ernewein is also certified as a Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Dr. Ernewein is a strong advocate within the community, working closely with professional organizations and community resources regarding the topics of human trafficking and vulnerable populations. Dr. Ernewein is the Director of Community education with The FREE Network. She has also been published in the Journal of Nurse Practitioners, Human Trafficking: Recognition, Referral and Treatment. Her dissertation focused on “Survivors of Human Trafficking and their Reintegration into the Community”

Dr. Ernewein is the Chairperson of the Shared Hope International Board of Directors, Director of the FREE Network, President of Sigma Theta Tau Delta Beta Chapter, Past-President of the Tampa Bay Advanced Practice Nurse Council Group, Region 3 director for the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network, member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and member of the Black Nurses Association

Rhone D’Errico, DNP, MBA, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, ENP-C, CNE, ACUE

Dr. Rhone D’Errico is a Doctor of Nursing Practice with certifications as a Family, Psychiatric-Mental Health, and Emergency Nurse Practitioner. He has worked as a registered nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit and as a nurse practitioner in mental health, primary care, college health, and the emergency department.

Dr. D’Errico has taught in multiple Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs. Dr. D’Errico’s passion for nursing education led him to become the founding Program Director for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada School of Nursing.

Dr. D’Errico currently holds the rank of Professor in the Rasmussen University School of Nursing, where he serves as Primary Faculty and Track lead for the PMHNP program. He practices via telepsychiatry as the psychiatric provider for a 120+ bed rural intensive inpatient and residential drug treatment program, as well as for a non-profit intensive outpatient drug treatment program. Dr. D’Errico is also a professional speaker, trainer, and educational consultant, and is a candidate daseinanalyst in the American Daseinsanalytic Institute.

Dr. D’Errico’s professional and academic interests include promoting science-based psychiatric diagnosis, improving telehealth delivery in mental health care, and maximizing wellness by leveraging psychopharmacology and existential analysis to help his clients achieve extraordinary results across all areas of life.

Theresa Mallick-Searle, MS, RN-BC, ANP-BC

Theresa is an Adult Nurse Practitioner with over 29 years’ experience at Stanford Health Care. She received her graduate degree from University of California, San Francisco.

Her current clinical practice within the Division of Pain Medicine focuses primarily on evaluation and treatment of individuals suffering from acute and chronic pain conditions in both the acute care and outpatient settings.

Theresa is a nationally recognized clinician, speaker, author and thought leader in the field of pain management. In 2025 Theresa was inducted into the Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, additionally she has been recognized by AANP as the 2024 Nurse Practitioner State Award of Excellence award winner for the State of California, the Point of Care Network as one of America’s top Nurse Practitioners in Pain Management in 2019, 2021 & 2022, and Advance Practice Provider of the year at Stanford Health Care in 2015.

A few of her national leadership roles have included past co-chair of the AANP pain management SIG, founding co-chair of the AAPM APP SIG, board member AAPM foundation and founding board member and secretary of the Pain Medicine Academy of Advance Practice Practitioners.