What is the first step in DEA number verification?

The first step in verifying a DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) number involves adding the 1st, 3rd, and 5th digits of the DEA number. This calculation is crucial because it sets up the verification process by allowing for a comparison that helps confirm the validity of the number.

In the DEA number format, the digits are positioned in a specific manner: the first letter indicates the type of registered practitioner, followed by a series of numbers. The verification process needs to begin with isolating and summing these specific digits, which contribute to generating a total that will be used later in further calculations.

Subsequent steps involve manipulating this total in conjunction with the even-positioned digits of the number, but it is this initial summation of the odd-positioned digits that forms the foundation for the entire verification process. Therefore, recognizing this first step is essential for anyone working with controlled substances and DEA numbers to ensure compliance with regulations.