Research Advisory Panel

California law, pursuant to Health & Safety Code Sections §11480, §11480.1, & §11213, requires proposed research projects that involve the use of Schedule I or Schedule II Controlled Substances to be reviewed and approved by the Research Advisory Panel of California. See the Guidelines page for specific criteria.

The Research Advisory Panel of California primarily seeks to ensure the safety and protection of participating human research subjects and adequate security of the controlled substances used in research. The Panel Members evaluate the scientific validity of each proposed project, and may reject proposals where the research is poorly conceived, would produce conclusions of little scientific value, or would not justify the exposure of California subjects to the risks of research.

During 2025, the Research Advisory Panel of California approved eighty-seven new and amended research submissions. At the end of 2025, the Research Advisory Panel of California was monitoring one hundred and sixty-two research studies, of which eighty-eight were non-human research studies, and seventy-four were human research studies.

California does not have a separate controlled substance license requirement. When researchers need to apply for DEA license/registration, go to the DEA: Diversion Control Division website, select Form 225, and write N/A in section 4.

Applicants may utilize the Controlled Substance Schedules website for further information on controlled substance schedules.