Prescription Drug Fraud Laws by State (2026)
How each state handles prescription drug fraud and the penalties, from each state's code.
| State | Prescription drug fraud |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Getting a controlled substance by fraud (lying, using a false name or address, hiding a material fact, or altering a prescription or written order) is charged as unlawful possession or receipt of a controlled substance, a Class D felony (1 year and 1 day to 5 years). The same rule covers obtaining listed precursor chemicals this way. Forging a prescription itself may also be charged under the general forgery laws. Ala. Code 1975 § 13A-12-212(a)(2), (b); § 13A-5-6 |
| Alaska | Getting possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge (for example with a forged prescription or by deceiving doctors) is misconduct involving a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a class C felony (up to 5 years and $50,000). The same degree covers knowingly giving false information in records required under the state's controlled substance law, using a fictitious or someone else's registration number, and putting a false or forged label on a container of a controlled substance. AS 11.71.040(a)(7)-(10), (d); AS 12.55.035, 12.55.125, 12.55.135 |
| Arizona | Obtaining or procuring a dangerous or narcotic drug, or its administration, by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or subterfuge is a class 3 felony (first-offense range 2 to 8.75 years), with probation available to first-time felony offenders. Doing the same with a prescription-only drug that is not a controlled substance is a class 1 misdemeanor with a mandatory $1,000 fine. A.R.S. §§ 13-3407(A)(6), (B), 13-3408(A)(6), (B), 13-3406(A)(6), (B), (C); § 13-702(D) |
| Arkansas | Getting a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, subterfuge or theft is a Class D felony (up to 6 years). The statute read does not separately name forged prescriptions or 'doctor shopping.' Ark. Code § 5-64-403(a)(2), (b)(1); §§ 5-4-201, 5-4-401 |
| California | It is illegal to get, or try to get, controlled substances or a prescription for them by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or hiding a material fact (which covers 'doctor shopping'), to make false statements in a prescription or required record, or to pose as a doctor, pharmacist or other authorized person to get drugs. Knowingly doing so with Schedule II or certain other narcotic drugs is punishable under Pen. Code 1170(h) or by up to 1 year in county jail, so it can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Forging or altering a prescription for a narcotic drug, or getting or possessing a narcotic drug with a forged prescription, is punishable by 6 months to 1 year in county jail or by state prison. Cal. Health & Saf. Code 11173, 11371.1, 11368; Pen. Code 17, 18, 19, 1170(h) |
| Colorado | Getting a controlled substance or its administration by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or subterfuge, by forging or altering an order, by hiding a material fact, or by using a false name or address is a level 4 drug felony (6 months to 1 year presumptive, up to 2 years aggravated). The same applies to making or passing a false or forged order (prescription), falsely claiming to be a practitioner or manufacturer to get controlled substances, and putting a forged label on a drug package. Information given to a doctor to get drugs for non-medical purposes is not privileged. C.R.S. §§ 18-18-415, 18-1.3-401.5(2) |
| Connecticut | It is illegal to get or try to get a controlled substance by fraud, deceit or a false name or address, by forging or altering a prescription, or to make or pass a forged prescription; 'doctor shopping' (knowingly taking controlled substances or prescriptions from a second practitioner during treatment without disclosing it, intending to obtain drugs for abuse) is also banned. The section sets no penalty of its own, so the chapter's general penalty applies: up to 2 years in prison and a $3,500 fine for a first offense, and a class C felony (1 to 10 years) for a later offense. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 21a-266, 21a-255(c); § 53a-35a |
| Delaware | Acquiring or trying to acquire a controlled substance or prescription drug by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge is a class F felony (up to 3 years). Soliciting or using other people three or more times within 30 days to commit such violations is a class C felony (up to 15 years). Possessing a blank prescription form or pad without being a practitioner is a class G felony, stealing one is a class F felony, and forging a prescription is second-degree forgery (class G felony). 16 Del. C. § 4757(a)(3), (b), (c); 11 Del. C. §§ 841C, 861; 11 Del. C. § 4205 |
| District of Columbia | Knowingly or intentionally acquiring or obtaining possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge is punishable by up to 4 years in prison and a fine of up to $12,500. The same section also covers giving false information in required drug records and using a false or another person's registration number. D.C. Code §§ 48-904.03, 22-3571.01 |
| Florida | Obtaining or trying to obtain a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, possessing an unsigned or incomplete prescription form, or 'doctor shopping' (not telling a practitioner that you received a similar controlled substance or prescription from another practitioner in the previous 30 days) is a third-degree felony (up to 5 years, $5,000). Obtaining a medically unnecessary controlled substance or prescription from a practitioner by fraud or concealment, or a practitioner providing one that way, is a second-degree felony (up to 15 years) if the drug is in Schedule II, III or IV. Fla. Stat. § 893.13(7)(a)7.-13., (7)(b), (7)(d), (7)(e); §§ 775.082, 775.083 |
| Georgia | Getting or trying to get a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, subterfuge or theft, or 'doctor shopping' (not telling a practitioner that you obtained a controlled substance of similar use from another practitioner in the same period), is a felony punishable by up to 8 years in prison, a fine of up to $50,000, or both. O.C.G.A. § 16-13-43(a)(3), (a)(6), (b) |
| Hawaii | Obtaining or trying to obtain a controlled substance by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, embezzlement or theft, by forging or altering a prescription, by giving false medical information or hiding a material fact, by using a false name, patient number or address, or by misusing a practitioner's call-in number or electronic prescription system, is a class C felony (up to 5 years, $10,000). HRS § 329-42(a)(3), (b); § 706-660 |
| Idaho | Getting or trying to get a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge (for example a forged or altered prescription, or lying to providers) is a felony in Idaho. It is punishable by up to 4 years in prison, a fine up to $30,000, or both. The same penalty applies to using a fictitious, revoked or borrowed registration number to manufacture or distribute drugs and to falsifying required controlled-substance records. Idaho Code § 37-2734 |
| Illinois | Knowingly obtaining or attempting to obtain a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, or withholding information from a practitioner in order to get a controlled substance that was not prescribed (which covers 'doctor shopping'), is a Class 4 felony (1 to 3 years; fine up to $100,000) for a first offense and a Class 3 felony (2 to 5 years; fine up to $200,000) for each later offense. The same grades apply to using a fictitious, revoked or another person's registration number to make or distribute controlled substances and to falsifying required records. A registrant who dispenses or distributes outside the Act's rules commits a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense (Class 4 felony after that), and a practitioner can lose their professional license. 720 ILCS 570/406(a), (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(3.1), (b)(4); 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-25 to -65 |
| Indiana | Knowingly or intentionally getting a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, subterfuge, altering a prescription, hiding a material fact, or using a false name or address (which covers 'doctor shopping') is a Level 6 felony (6 months to 2 1/2 years), or a Level 5 felony (1 to 6 years) with a prior conviction for the same offense. Copying or printing prescription pads or forms without a practitioner's written consent, and putting a false label on a controlled substance package, carry the same grades. Registrants who dispense or distribute outside their registration, use a fictitious or another person's registration number, or falsify required records commit a Level 6 felony. IC 35-48-4-14; IC 35-50-2-4 to -7, 35-50-3-2 to -4 |
| Iowa | Knowingly getting or trying to get a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge is a serious misdemeanor in Iowa, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $430 to $2,560. The same grade applies to using a fictitious or borrowed registration number and falsifying required controlled-substance records. The pharmacy law separately forbids getting any prescription drug by fraud, forged or altered prescriptions, concealing a material fact, or using a false name or address. Iowa Code §§ 124.403(1)(c), (2), 155A.23(1)(a), 903.1 |
| Kansas | Unlawfully obtaining a prescription-only drug covers forging, altering or signing a prescription without being a practitioner, passing or possessing such a prescription, possessing drugs obtained with one, and giving false information to a practitioner to get a prescription-only drug. It is a class A nonperson misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,500), and a severity level 9 nonperson felony with a prior conviction. Selling, offering to sell, or possessing with intent to sell a drug obtained this way is a severity level 6 nonperson felony. Cases that can be charged under the controlled-substance distribution or possession statutes are charged under those laws instead. Felony prison ranges come from the sentencing grid, which combines the severity level with criminal history. K.S.A. 21-5708, 21-6602, 21-6611, 21-6804 |
| Kentucky | It is a Class D felony (1 to 5 years) to get or try to get a controlled-substance prescription by knowingly misrepresenting or withholding information from a practitioner, to use a false name or address to obtain a controlled substance, to obtain a prescription without a valid practitioner-patient relationship, to pose as a pharmacist or practitioner, or to present a prescription obtained illegally. Forging a controlled-substance prescription, and knowingly uttering or possessing a forged one with intent to defraud, are each a Class D felony for a first offense and a Class C felony (5 to 10 years) for a repeat offense. KRS 218A.140, 218A.282, 218A.284, 532.060 |
| Louisiana | It is a crime to obtain a controlled dangerous substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, to alter a prescription, to obtain a prescription or prescription blank by fraud, to possess someone else's prescription without consent, or to get controlled-substance prescriptions from one practitioner while being supplied by another without disclosing the existing prescription (doctor shopping). Each is punished by up to 5 years with or without hard labor and a possible fine up to $5,000. Prescribers or pharmacists who prescribe or dispense beyond their authority or for non-medical purposes face the drug-distribution penalties of R.S. 40:966-967. La. R.S. 40:971(B)-(C) |
| Maine | Acquiring drugs by deception (obtaining a scheduled drug or a prescription for one through deception) is a Class C crime (up to 5 years and $5,000) for schedule W, X and Y drugs and a Class D crime (less than 1 year and $2,000) for schedule Z drugs. Deception specifically includes doctor shopping: failing, when asked by a prescriber, to disclose every narcotic drug or narcotic prescription received from a different provider in the previous 30 days, and giving a prescriber a false name or address. Prescribers who reasonably suspect deception may report it to police and are immune from liability for good-faith reports. 17-A M.R.S. § 1108; 17-A M.R.S. §§ 1604(1), 1704 |
| Maryland | Obtaining or trying to obtain a controlled dangerous substance by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or subterfuge, by a forged or altered prescription, by hiding a material fact (such as other prescriptions), by using a false name or address, or by posing as a doctor, pharmacist or distributor is a misdemeanor. It is punishable by up to 1 year and/or a $5,000 fine for a first conviction, up to 18 months for a second or third, and up to 2 years for a fourth or later. Information given to a physician to obtain drugs illegally is not privileged. Md. Code, Crim. Law § 5-601(a)(2), (b), (c)(1) |
| Massachusetts | Uttering a false prescription for a controlled substance, or knowingly obtaining a controlled substance by forgery, fraud, deception or subterfuge, including a forged or falsified prescription or hiding a material fact from a practitioner (such as other prescriptions), is punished by up to 4 years in state prison or 2½ years in a house of correction and/or a fine up to $20,000. After a prior conviction under this section or for a drug felony, the maximum rises to 8 years in state prison and/or $30,000. Using a fictitious, revoked or another person's registration number to make or distribute controlled substances carries the same penalties. Mass. G.L. c. 94C, § 33 |
| Michigan | Knowingly or intentionally acquiring or obtaining possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge is a felony punishable by up to 4 years, a fine up to $30,000, or both. Separately, making or possessing prescription forms or counterfeit prescription forms to deliver controlled substances is a felony with up to 7 years and/or $5,000. MCL 333.7407(1)(c), (3); MCL 333.7401 |
| Minnesota | Procuring, attempting to procure or possessing a controlled substance by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or subterfuge, by using a false name or giving false credit, or by falsely posing as a manufacturer, pharmacist, physician or other practitioner is fifth-degree controlled substance crime. It is punishable by up to 5 years and/or a $10,000 fine. Minn. Stat. § 152.025, subds. 2(a)(2), 4(b) |
| Mississippi | Obtaining or trying to obtain a controlled substance or prescription-only ('legend') drug by fraud, forgery, deception, misrepresentation, theft or subterfuge is a crime, as is knowingly possessing, selling, delivering or transferring a false, fraudulent or forged prescription. Either offense is punished by 1 to 5 years of confinement, a fine up to $1,000, or both. Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-144 |
| Missouri | Getting or trying to get a controlled substance by fraud (called fraudulently attempting to obtain a controlled substance) includes making false statements in a prescription or record, pretending to be a doctor, pharmacist or other authorized person, writing or passing a forged prescription, putting a false label on a drug package, or possessing a forged prescription to obtain drugs. It is a class E felony, punishable by up to 4 years. Information given to a doctor in an effort to get drugs unlawfully is not privileged. RSMo §§ 579.045, 558.011 |
| Montana | Getting or trying to get a dangerous drug by fraud (called fraudulently obtaining dangerous drugs) includes deceit or misrepresentation, pretending to be a doctor or pharmacist, using a forged or fake prescription or a false name or address, and 'doctor shopping': knowingly not telling a practitioner that one received the same or a similar drug or prescription from another source within the prior 30 days. A first conviction carries 1 to 5 years in state prison and/or a fine up to $50,000; a second conviction carries 5 to 10 years and/or up to $50,000. Altering labels on dangerous drugs is punishable by up to 6 months in county jail. MCA 45-9-104, 45-9-106 |
| Nebraska | Knowingly getting or trying to get a controlled substance by theft, misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, possessing a false or forged prescription for a controlled substance, or giving a practitioner information in an effort to unlawfully get a controlled substance or a prescription for one (doctor shopping), is a Class IV felony. The penalty is up to 2 years in prison plus 12 months of post-release supervision, a $10,000 fine, or both. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-418(1)(c), (h), (i), (2), 28-105 |
| Nevada | Knowingly or intentionally obtaining a controlled substance or a prescription by fraud, forgery or misrepresentation, forging or altering a prescription, making false statements to a pharmacist, or possessing pre-signed blank prescription forms is a category C felony, punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. NRS 453.331; NRS 193.130, 193.140, 193.150 |
| New Hampshire | It is illegal to knowingly obtain or try to obtain a controlled drug by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, including 'doctor shopping' (independently seeing 2 or more practitioners solely to get additional controlled drugs or prescriptions), and to make or pass a false or forged prescription. Because the drug law sets no specific penalty for these acts, they fall under the catch-all penalty: a class B felony (up to 7 years) for a natural person. RSA 318-B:2, VIII, XII-a; 318-B:26, XI; 651:2 |
| New Jersey | Obtaining by fraud (getting a controlled dangerous substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, such as a forged prescription) is a crime of the third degree (3-5 years) with a fine of up to $50,000. Stealing a New Jersey prescription blank is third-degree theft regardless of value. N.J.S. 2C:35-13; N.J.S. 2C:20-2(b)(2)(j); N.J.S. 2C:43-6 |
| New Mexico | Intentionally obtaining or attempting to obtain a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge is a fourth degree felony (basic sentence 18 months). The same grade applies to using a fictitious, revoked, suspended or another person's registration number in making or distributing controlled substances, furnishing false or fraudulent information in required records or reports, and making equipment to counterfeit drug markings. NMSA 1978, 30-31-25; NMSA 1978, 31-18-15, 31-19-1 |
| New York | New York's Public Health Law forbids obtaining or trying to obtain a controlled substance or a prescription for one by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, subterfuge, concealing a material fact, or a false name or address, and forbids making or uttering a forged prescription; receiving controlled substances from one practitioner while hiding that from another practitioner who also supplies them ('doctor shopping') is also prohibited. Forging a prescription is forgery in the second degree, a class D felony (up to 7 years). Selling or receiving prescription medications or prescriptions for money ('criminal diversion') is a class A misdemeanor, a class E felony over $1,000 or with a prior conviction, class D over $3,000 and class C over $50,000; a practitioner or pharmacist who sells prescriptions or controlled substances outside good-faith practice commits a class C felony. N.Y. Public Health Law 3397; N.Y. Penal Law 170.10(5); 178.10-178.25; 220.65 |
| North Carolina | Obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge is prohibited, as is getting prescriptions by intentionally withholding information from one or more practitioners ('doctor shopping') or by knowing misrepresentation to a practitioner. A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, or a Class I felony if charged and found to be intentional. Employees or caregivers who divert drugs commit a Class G felony (Class E if done by dilution or substitution). N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-108(a)(10), (a)(13), (b) |
| North Dakota | Acquiring or obtaining possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, or furnishing false or fraudulent information in required drug records, is a class C felony (up to 5 years and $10,000). Stealing a prescription drug is also a class C felony theft unless five or fewer pills, capsules or tablets are taken. Offering to fill a controlled-substance prescription based only on an online questionnaire is a class C felony. N.D.C.C. 19-03.1-25(1)(c)-(d), (2); 12.1-23-05(3)(k); 19-03.1-23(6) |
| Ohio | Deception to obtain a dangerous drug (using deception to get a prescription, the dispensing of, or the administration of a dangerous drug, or possessing a blank prescription form) is a fifth-degree felony (fourth degree with a prior drug conviction). For Schedule I or II drugs (other than marijuana) it is a fourth-degree felony, rising to third degree at the bulk amount, second degree at five times bulk, and first degree at fifty times bulk, with a presumption of prison at the higher levels; Schedule III-V drugs start at a fifth-degree felony. Knowingly making a false statement in a prescription or required drug record is illegal processing of drug documents. R.C. 2925.22, 2925.23 |
| Oklahoma | Getting or trying to get a controlled drug by fraud, deceit or a false name or address, by forging or altering a prescription, by hiding a material fact, or by failing to tell a doctor about a similar prescription received from another practitioner within the past 30 days (doctor shopping) is a Class C2 felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Making, delivering or possessing blank or counterfeit prescription forms is covered by the same section. A second or subsequent offense raises the maximum fine to $20,000 and cannot receive a suspended or deferred sentence or probation. 63 O.S. § 2-407; 21 O.S. § 20M |
| Oregon | Knowingly getting or trying to get a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge (for example with a forged or altered prescription), or putting false information in records required under the drug laws, is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $6,250. ORS 475.916; ORS 161.615, 161.635 |
| Pennsylvania | Getting possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge (for example, a forged prescription) is punished under the same schedule-based penalties as drug delivery: up to 15 years and/or $250,000 for a Schedule I or II narcotic, up to 10 years for methamphetamine or PCP, up to 5 years for other Schedule I-III drugs, up to 3 years for Schedule IV (all felonies), and up to 1 year (misdemeanor) for Schedule V. 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(12), (f) |
| Rhode Island | Getting or trying to get a controlled substance by fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, by forging or altering a prescription, by hiding a material fact, or by using a false name or address, as well as writing or passing a false or forged prescription or posing as a doctor or pharmacist to obtain drugs, is a crime punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. A separate provision makes acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge punishable by up to 5 years and/or $5,000. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 21-28-4.05, 21-28-4.03 |
| South Carolina | Knowingly or intentionally getting a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge (for example, a forged prescription), or giving false information on required drug records, is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Obtaining other prescription-only ('restricted') drugs by fraud, a forged prescription or a false name is a misdemeanor for a first offense (up to 2 years and/or $500) and a felony for a repeat (up to 5 years and/or $2,000). Neither statute uses the term 'doctor shopping.' S.C. Code §§ 44-53-390, 44-53-40 |
| South Dakota | Knowingly getting possession of a controlled drug or substance by theft, misrepresentation, forgery, fraud, deception or subterfuge (for example with a forged prescription) is a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. The statute does not separately name 'doctor shopping.' SDCL 22-42-8; SDCL 22-6-1 |
| Tennessee | Obtaining or trying to obtain a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge (such as a forged prescription) is a Class D felony (2 to 12 years), with fines up to $100,000 for Schedule I or II drugs; a first offender's sentence may be suspended on condition of drug treatment. 'Doctor shopping' (not telling a health care provider that you got the same or a similar controlled substance or prescription from another practitioner within the previous 30 days) is a Class A misdemeanor, or a Class E felony if more than 250 dose units are involved. Doing the same to get TennCare benefits is a separate Class D felony under the TennCare fraud law. Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-11-402(a)(3), (a)(6), (b); § 71-5-2601(a)(1); § 40-35-111 |
| Texas | Obtaining or trying to obtain a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, or with a fraudulent written, phoned-in or electronic prescription, is a second-degree felony (2 to 20 years) for Schedule I or II drugs, a third-degree felony for Schedule III or IV, and a Class A misdemeanor for Schedule V. 'Doctor shopping' (getting a controlled substance or prescription from a practitioner that is not medically necessary by misrepresentation or by hiding a material fact, such as an existing prescription) is graded the same way. Issuing a prescription with a forged or fictitious signature is covered by the same section. Tex. Health & Safety Code § 481.129(a), (a-1), (d), (d-1); Tex. Penal Code §§ 12.21-12.35 |
| Utah | Getting a controlled substance or a prescription by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, subterfuge, altering a prescription, using a false name or address, or failing to disclose that you received a controlled substance from another source (doctor shopping) is 'unlawful conduct to obtain a controlled substance.' It is a class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days and $2,500) on a first or second conviction and a third degree felony (up to 5 years) on a third or later conviction. Separate offenses cover making, forging or altering a prescription and possessing an altered or forged prescription. Utah Code §§ 76-18-216, 76-18-213, 76-18-218; §§ 76-3-203, 76-3-204 |
| Vermont | Getting or trying to get a regulated drug by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or subterfuge, by forging or altering a prescription, by hiding a material fact, or by using a false name or address is a crime, and so is making or passing a forged prescription or posing as a doctor or pharmacist to get drugs. 'Doctor shopping' (being knowingly supplied drugs or a prescription by a second physician without disclosing the first) also violates the law. The penalty is up to two years and one day in prison and a $5,000 fine, making it a felony. 18 V.S.A. § 4223; 13 V.S.A. § 1 |
| Virginia | Obtaining or trying to obtain any drug, or having a controlled substance administered, by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, embezzlement or subterfuge, by forging or altering a prescription, by hiding a material fact, or by giving a false name or address is a Class 6 felony (1 to 5 years, or up to 12 months in jail and/or $2,500). Making or passing a forged prescription and posing as a doctor or pharmacist to get drugs are covered too. A first offender may be placed on probation and, after completing it, be found guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor instead. Va. Code § 18.2-258.1; § 18.2-10 |
| Washington | Obtaining or trying to obtain a controlled substance by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or subterfuge, by forging or altering a prescription, by hiding a material fact, or by using a false name or address is a class C felony, punishable by up to two years in prison and a $2,000 fine, or both. The same applies to making or passing forged prescriptions, possessing a false prescription to obtain drugs, posing as a doctor or pharmacist, and giving more than one name to a practitioner to get a prescription. Statements made to a practitioner to obtain drugs unlawfully are not privileged. RCW 69.50.403 |
| West Virginia | Getting a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, theft, deception or subterfuge (for example with a forged prescription) is a felony punishable by 1 to 4 years, a fine up to $30,000, or both. 'Doctor shopping' (a patient knowingly hiding from a practitioner that he or she already got a prescription for a controlled substance of similar use from another practitioner in the same period) is a separate misdemeanor: up to 9 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, or both. W. Va. Code §§ 60A-4-403(a)(3), (b), 60A-4-410 |
| Wisconsin | Getting or trying to get possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge (for example with a forged or altered prescription) is a Class H felony: up to 6 years in prison, a fine up to $10,000, or both. Making or possessing equipment to counterfeit drug markings is covered by the same section and penalty. Wis. Stat. §§ 961.43, 939.50(3)(h) |
| Wyoming | Obtaining, or trying to obtain, a controlled substance or a prescription for one by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, including not telling a practitioner about a similar prescription received from another source in the past 30 days ('doctor shopping') or using a false name or address, is a misdemeanor for a first offense (up to 6 months, a fine up to $750, or both), a misdemeanor for a second offense (up to 1 year, up to $1,000, or both), and a felony for a third or later offense (up to 10 years, up to $10,000, or both). Altering or forging a prescription is a felony punishable by up to 10 years, a fine up to $10,000, or both. The court may or must order a substance use disorder assessment. W.S. 35-7-1033(a)(iii), (b), (d) |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.