Final answer:
To prescribe controlled substances, healthcare providers need a valid medical license and a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number, which allow legal authorization to write prescriptions and help prevent drug abuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to prescribe controlled substances, a healthcare provider must have two critical prerequisites. First, they need to have a valid medical license, which allows them to practice medicine in the state where they intend to prescribe medication. Secondly, providers must obtain a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number. The DEA number is a unique identifier assigned by the Drug Enforcement Administration to healthcare providers, which grants them the authority to write prescriptions for controlled substances. This system is in place to prevent the misuse and abuse of powerful drugs, including prescription pain relievers like Oxycodone and Vicodin, or illicit substances like Heroin and Fentanyl.