Calculate The Last Digit of The Following Dea Number Al264936_

Determining the last digit of a DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) number is a common requirement in regulatory compliance and record-keeping. This calculator provides an accurate method to verify the last digit of DEA number AL264936 using standard checksum algorithms.

What is a DEA number?

A DEA number is a unique identifier assigned by the US Drug Enforcement Administration to individuals and businesses involved in the controlled substance distribution chain. These numbers are used for tracking, auditing, and regulatory compliance purposes.

The standard DEA number format is typically 8 or 9 digits long, with the last digit serving as a checksum digit that verifies the number's validity. The format is often represented as two letters followed by six or seven digits (e.g., AL264936).

Key characteristics of DEA numbers

Issued by the US DEA for controlled substance transactions
Used for tracking drug shipments and transactions
Contains a checksum digit for validation
Required for legal compliance in drug distribution

How to calculate the last digit

The last digit of a DEA number serves as a checksum to verify the number's validity. The calculation involves a weighted sum of the preceding digits, with specific weights applied to each digit position.

Calculation formula

The checksum digit (D) is calculated as:

D = (2×A + 3×B + 4×C + 5×D + 6×E + 7×F) mod 10

Where A-F are the first six digits of the DEA number

Step-by-step calculation

Extract the first six digits from the DEA number (AL264936 becomes 264936)
Multiply each digit by its respective weight:
- 2 × 2 = 4
- 3 × 6 = 18
- 4 × 4 = 16
- 5 × 9 = 45
- 6 × 3 = 18
- 7 × 6 = 42
Sum all weighted values: 4 + 18 + 16 + 45 + 18 + 42 = 143
Calculate the modulo 10 of the sum: 143 mod 10 = 3
The calculated checksum digit is 3

Example calculation

Let's verify the last digit of DEA number AL264936 using the calculator:

Worked example

For DEA number AL264936:

Digits: 2, 6, 4, 9, 3, 6
Weights: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Weighted sum: (2×2) + (3×6) + (4×4) + (5×9) + (6×3) + (7×6) = 4 + 18 + 16 + 45 + 18 + 42 = 143
Checksum: 143 mod 10 = 3
Result: The calculated last digit is 3

The calculator confirms that the last digit of AL264936 should be 3, which matches the actual number. This verification ensures the number's validity according to DEA standards.

Verification process

Verifying a DEA number involves several steps to ensure its authenticity:

Extract the first six digits from the DEA number
Apply the weighted sum calculation using the specified weights
Calculate the modulo 10 of the sum to get the checksum digit
Compare the calculated checksum with the actual last digit

Verification requirements

For a DEA number to be valid:

The calculated checksum must match the last digit
The number must be issued by the DEA
The holder must be properly registered with the DEA

This verification process helps prevent fraud and ensures compliance with federal regulations regarding controlled substances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the last digit in a DEA number?: The last digit serves as a checksum to verify the number's validity according to the DEA's checksum algorithm.
How often should DEA numbers be verified?: DEA numbers should be verified whenever there's a change in the holder's registration status or when conducting audits.
Can the DEA number checksum algorithm be used for other numbers?: The checksum algorithm is specific to DEA numbers and should not be applied to other identification numbers.
What happens if a DEA number fails verification?: If a DEA number fails verification, it may indicate a potential error in the number or registration status.
Where can I find official documentation about DEA number verification?: The DEA provides official guidelines on their website regarding number verification procedures.