5 Steps to Getting Birth Control Without Seeing a Doctor

Going to your doctor’s office to get birth control can be a challenge. But in the past decade, many states have made it easier than ever to get birth control. This includes the pill, the patch, and the ring — even the Depo shot. 

In many states, pharmacists can now prescribe birth control. This means you can get birth control from your local pharmacy without seeing a healthcare professional, even if you don’t have insurance. Here’s how this works and what you can do to get it.

1. Check to see if your state allows pharmacists to prescribe

First, check to see if you live in a state where pharmacists can prescribe birth control (see the list below). 

Be aware that different states have different laws when it comes to pharmacist prescribing. For example, in some states you have to be over 18 years old. In other states, pharmacist-prescribed birth control is available for people of all ages. 

2. Find a pharmacy where pharmacist prescribing is available

Even if your state allows pharmacist prescribing, that doesn’t mean it’s available at every pharmacy. Before you go, call or check online to see if your pharmacy has a pharmacist who can prescribe birth control. And make an appointment too (if you need one). 

If your usual pharmacy doesn’t offer birth control prescriptions, you can use this online tool to find a pharmacy near you that provides these services. 

3. Ask about costs

Most pharmacies charge a fee to get a pharmacist prescription for birth control — usually $50 or less. Make sure to check in on what fees you’ll need to pay, so you aren’t surprised when you get to the pharmacy. 

Keep in mind: Insurance usually doesn’t cover these fees — but you may be able to use your health savings account (HSA), if you have one.

What if I don’t have insurance? 

If you don’t have health insurance, it may cost more per month. But your pharmacist can work with you to find an affordable option.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How much does Opill cost? Here’s what you need to know.

• Don’t want to take the pill? You have a lot of options when it comes to birth control pill alternatives.

• Nonhormonal contraception: These 11 options for birth control don’t have hormones.

4. Visit your pharmacy and meet with the pharmacist

The next step is to go to the pharmacy and meet with your pharmacist. At the pharmacy, you’ll answer some questions and have a blood pressure check to make sure it’s safe for you to use hormonal contraception.

Your pharmacist will be able to help you decide on birth control. But it’s a good idea to know about your birth control options before you go. This can help you choose a birth control method that’s a good match for your personal preferences.

5. Get your birth control

Once you have a prescription, you’re ready to get your birth control.

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Health insurance will likely cover part (or all) of the cost of your birth control. If you’ll be taking an oral birth control pill, keep in mind that GoodRx can sometimes get a better price than your insurance copay.

Take our quiz: Types of birth control

Can I get pharmacist-prescribed birth control in my state?

It depends on where you live. A growing number of states allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal birth control. But there are still many states where this isn’t an option yet. 

Here’s where pharmacist-prescribed birth control is — and is not — available. 

Available to people of all ages: 

• California

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• Hawaii

• Idaho

• Illinois

• Maine

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Minnesota (under 18 only, with a previous prescription from a healthcare professional)

• New Jersey

• New York

• Nevada

• New Hampshire

• New Mexico

• North Carolina (under 18 only with parent/guardian consent)

• Oregon

• South Carolina (under 18 only with a previous prescription from a healthcare professional)

• Tennessee (under 18 only if emancipated minor)

• Vermont

Available to people 18 and over: 

• Arizona

• Arkansas

• Colorado

• Indiana

• Utah

• Virginia

• West Virginia 

Available only with physician partnership: 

• Kentucky (for norgestrel 0.75 mg only)

• Michigan

• Montana

• Nebraska

• South Dakota

• Washington

• Wisconsin

Pharmacist prescribing is approved but still in progress:

• Rhode Island

• Washington, D.C.

Pharmacist prescribing isn’t available yet: 

• Alabama

• Alaska

• Florida

• Georgia

• Iowa

• Kansas

• Louisiana

• Mississippi

• Missouri

• North Dakota

• Ohio

• Oklahoma

• Pennsylvania

• Texas

• Wyoming 

Keep in mind that some states require you to visit a doctor’s office for a follow-up appointment in 1 to 3 years. And in certain states (like North Carolina), pharmacists can only prescribe select types of birth control, such as the pill and the patch. 

Can I get hormonal birth control over the counter (OTC)?

Yes. In July 2023, the FDA approved the first over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill. Opill (norgestrel) is now available for purchase online and at pharmacies. The cost of Opill varies by where you buy it and how many months you purchase.

It’s important to note that there are other types of birth control available OTC. Plan B emergency contraception (the “morning after pill”) is also available without a prescription.

Nonhormonal OTC options include:

• Condoms

• Spermicides

• Birth control sponge

Can I get prescription birth control online?

Yes. There are many options for getting prescription birth control online — including GoodRx Care. 

To get birth control online, you meet with a healthcare professional over video or chat. They’ll ask you about your health and help you choose the right birth control. If it’s a good fit, they’ll send a prescription to your local pharmacy. Many services can even deliver it to your home. 

Better birth control access: Why it matters

Birth control is one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century — right up there with seat belts and clean water, according to the CDC. Here are some of the individual and societal benefits of birth control: 

• Fewer unintended pregnancies and abortions

• Improvements in women’s education and employment

• Healthier moms and babies 

People also take birth control to manage irregular or heavy periods and hormonal imbalances. Hormonal contraceptives also help manage medical conditions like: 

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

• Endometriosis

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

New laws have made it easier for many people to get prescription birth control — some for the first time. 

In 2015, Oregon was the first state to let pharmacists prescribe birth control. In that state, 3 in 4 pharmacist prescriptions for birth control were to women who hadn’t been using birth control in the past 6 months. 

Studies also show that people who are younger and don’t have insurance are more likely to use these programs. And women who get a 1-year prescription for birth control from a pharmacist may be more likely to take the medication as prescribed and to have fewer unintended pregnancies. This is compared with women who received a typical 1 to 3 month prescription. 

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Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

Reviewed by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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