--- title: E-Prescribing Companion Guide slug: eprescribing/guide docTags: createdAt: 2026-06-22T14:38:23.986Z --- # Build and Support E‑Prescribing Transactions The E-Prescribing Companion Guide provides detailed technical guidance for implementing and supporting E-Prescribing transactions on the Surescripts network. Use this guide when building, certifying, integrating, or troubleshooting E-Prescribing solutions. This guide supplements the NCPDP SCRIPT Standard by documenting **Surescripts-specific requirements, Application Certification Requirements (ACRs), and implementation best practices.** :::hint{type="info"} **Note**: This is early adopter documentation. Information is subject to change. ::: *** # Section Descriptions & Links Use the section descriptions below to understand how the guide is organized and where to find what you need. ::::LinkArray{contentSource="CUSTOM" itemsPerRow="3"} :::LinkArrayItem{headerType="NONE"} [Product Overview](docId\:gbrepzD7mQfNxLFQ9UfLh) Overview of E‑Prescribing capabilities, message types, and reference documentation ::: :::LinkArrayItem [Integration & Production](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV) Overview of integration, certification, and production processes ::: :::LinkArrayItem [General Requirements](docId\:KsEmmwLDJD0i9JicT7JTP) Understand rules and expectations that apply across all E‑Prescribing message types ::: :::LinkArrayItem [Messages Overview](docId:6-dl1dRA-idzOOM-bpfaM) Message flow, structure, and best practices ::: :::LinkArrayItem [Element Details](docId\:t-j0GupE16BJJByQ3FNBG) Data element definitions, conditions, and business rules ::: :::LinkArrayItem [Element Usage](docId:_-RnLu6NcO0AYuditFpqn) How elements are used in workflows, including usage patterns and data quality guidance ::: :::LinkArrayItem [Application Certification Requirements (ACR) Summary](docId:2jP7AdRggeOC4Yxkyfkiw) Summary of all Application Certification Requirements referenced throughout the guide ::: :::LinkArrayItem [Message Examples](docId\:FYQQzIYZWnlglSK7VV406) Sample message format demonstrating structure, required elements, and expected usage ::: :::LinkArrayItem [Alternate RxChange Workflows for Prior Authorization](docId\:l3s6VKubx5ercsnnjMPgf) RxChange workflows for prior authorization, including alternate routing scenarios ::: :::LinkArrayItem [Error Guidance](docId\:PFX40swR9O9vDPjVja-QP) Error codes, troubleshooting guidance, and best practices to resolve common issues ::: :::LinkArrayItem [Message Continuity](docId\:VJlleRlGFSbVUoS-p51ta) Message continuity services, including retry, queuing, and fax failover ::: :::LinkArrayItem [Disclaimers](docId\:E-_C3_4R4-CEpWr7w-p5n) Legal disclaimers covering guide usage, examples, and intellectual property ::: :::: # Key Sections by Role :::ExpandableHeading ## For Developers Build and code the message integration: formats, elements, validation, and examples. - [Message Format](docId\:KsEmmwLDJD0i9JicT7JTP) & [General Message Requirements](docId\:KsEmmwLDJD0i9JicT7JTP): Start with the structural rules that every message must follow - [UTC Time Format](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV), [Character Set](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV), & [Numeric Representation](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV): Encoding and data-format rules your code must enforce - [Communication Rules](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV) & [Timeouts](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV): Transport behavior, retries, and timeout handling - [Message Validation](docId\:KsEmmwLDJD0i9JicT7JTP) (including EPCS & state-specific): Validation logic to implement before sending/accepting messages - [E-Prescribing Message Flows](docId\:Cad-BYiNqbmdCzN2jgVkS) & [Pharmacy Workflows](docId\:pzbfQo60MD_e6AmYQiqDO): How messages move so you model the right request/response chains - [Per-Message Requirements](docId:6-dl1dRA-idzOOM-bpfaM) (NewRx, RxRenewal, RxChange, CancelRx, RxTransfer, Acknowledgement Messages, etc.): The transaction-by-transaction requirements you will code against - [Element Details](docId\:t-j0GupE16BJJByQ3FNBG) (MessageHeader, Prescriber, Medication, Patient, etc.): Field-level definitions and the requirements designation key - [Element Usage](docId:_-RnLu6NcO0AYuditFpqn) (Drug Description, Sig, NDC, Quantity, Diagnosis, etc.): How to correctly populate the tricky high-impact fields - [NewRx Message Example](docId\:FYQQzIYZWnlglSK7VV406): A reference example for confirming message accuracy and compliance - [Error Guidance](docId\:PFX40swR9O9vDPjVja-QP) (SCRIPT, Schema & Directory Errors): Diagnose and prevent the errors you will hit during integration. - [Message Continuity](docId\:VJlleRlGFSbVUoS-p51ta) (HTTP Retry, Queue, Fax Services): Resilience patterns for outages and message delivery. ::: :::ExpandableHeading ## For Implementers Plan onboarding, connectivity, go-live, directory setup, and outage continuity. - [Integration Process](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV)**: **Start here to learn more about integrating on the Surescripts network - [Transition to Production](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV): Steps and gates to move from testing to live traffic - [Terminology](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV)**, **[Communication Rules](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV)**, & **[Timeouts](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV): Steps and gates to move from testing to live traffic - [E-Prescribing Message Flows](docId\:Cad-BYiNqbmdCzN2jgVkS): Which message types your deployment must support and route. - [Directory Information](docId\:KsEmmwLDJD0i9JicT7JTP): Directory dependencies for routing prescribers and pharmacies - [Prescriber & Pharmacy Information - Surescripts Directory](docId\:pCe7Y-GykOx0wzHsBvGkv): How directory data feeds correct addressing/SPI setup - [State Specific Identifiers for EPCS](docId\:dYKrs3S2MvRVwswsgY-ux)**: **Jurisdiction-specific setup for controlled substances - [Faxing](docId\:QcQRnav-AFDjgYSEmegcZ) & [Faxable Error Messages](docId\:QcQRnav-AFDjgYSEmegcZ): Fallback delivery to plan for in the deployment - [Message Continuity](docId\:VJlleRlGFSbVUoS-p51ta)** — Services, Queue & Workbench: **Outage handling, message queue, and Workbench access/setup - [Directory Errors](docId\:PFX40swR9O9vDPjVja-QP) & [Frequent Receiver Validation Errors](docId\:PFX40swR9O9vDPjVja-QP): Common routing/directory failures to resolve during rollout ::: :::ExpandableHeading ## For Certification Teams - [Compliance](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV): Sets the compliance bar the certification effort confirms - [Requirements Designation](docId\:JVTRM0r-QLwFmAcYbLc-l): How to read mandatory, conditional, and business rule designations when scoring conformance - [Application Certification Requirements (ACR) Summary](docId:2jP7AdRggeOC4Yxkyfkiw): List of all Application Certification Requirements referenced throughout the guide - [Display Requirements Tables](docId\:D0acaV_NjcERsRuWNRvO1) (by message type): Fields to display for each message - [Display Requirements](docId\:KsEmmwLDJD0i9JicT7JTP) & [Best Practices](docId\:KsEmmwLDJD0i9JicT7JTP): Background detail behind the Display Requirements Tables - [Numeric Representation](docId\:KcbKY6vQ3n8aYEaCKfCcV), [Message Format](docId\:KsEmmwLDJD0i9JicT7JTP), & [General Message Requirements](docId\:KsEmmwLDJD0i9JicT7JTP): Format-level conformance items to validate - [Message Validation](docId\:KsEmmwLDJD0i9JicT7JTP) (including EPCS & state-specific): Validation behaviors to test, including controlled-substance rules - [Acknowledgement Messages](docId\:xgpLk6ZD1L7X8NXYmqRLR) & [Error Codes](docId\:xgpLk6ZD1L7X8NXYmqRLR): Confirm correct Status/Verify/Error handling and 900 error behavior - [NewRx Message Example](docId\:FYQQzIYZWnlglSK7VV406): Reference example to compare candidate output during testing ::: :::ExpandableHeading ## For Business Analysts - [About Electronic Prescribing](docId\:gbrepzD7mQfNxLFQ9UfLh) & [EPCS](docId\:gbrepzD7mQfNxLFQ9UfLh): Foundational context on e-prescribing and controlled substances - [About This Guide](docId\:gbrepzD7mQfNxLFQ9UfLh), [Disclaimers](docId\:E-_C3_4R4-CEpWr7w-p5n), & [Document References](docId\:gbrepzD7mQfNxLFQ9UfLh): Scope, how to read the guide, and related source documents - [E-Prescribing Best Practices](docId\:KsEmmwLDJD0i9JicT7JTP): Cross-cutting practices that shape requirements and stories - [E-Prescribing Message Flows](docId\:Cad-BYiNqbmdCzN2jgVkS) & [Pharmacy Workflows](docId\:pzbfQo60MD_e6AmYQiqDO): The big-picture process map for requirements analysis - [Messages Overview](docId:6-dl1dRA-idzOOM-bpfaM): What each message does and the recommended behaviors - [Acknowledgements Message Workflow Scenarios](docId\:xgpLk6ZD1L7X8NXYmqRLR): How acks/errors play out across realistic scenarios - [Element Usage](docId:_-RnLu6NcO0AYuditFpqn) (Drug Description, Sig, NDC, Quantity, Diagnosis, etc.): Data-quality expectations that drive acceptance criteria - [Alternate RxChange Workflows for Prior Authorization](docId\:l3s6VKubx5ercsnnjMPgf): Workflow variants to capture in PA-related requirements - [Error Guidance](docId\:PFX40swR9O9vDPjVja-QP): Business rules that reduce errors and rework ::: ## Access Onboarding and Developer Tools If you’re looking for **onboarding resources, developer tools, or related E-Prescribing products**, start with the [E-Prescribing home page](docId\:yqcrWMS35sXnBVWHNvK-S). - Get started with **prerequisites, onboarding guidance, and connectivity setup** - Access **implementation tools** like Workbench, Message Tester, and Certification Tester - Find **upgrade guidance, documentation links, and support resources**