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, such as the pill, the patch, the ring, and even the Depo shot. And in July 2023, the FDA approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill. Opill (norgestrel) is set to be available in stores in early 2024.

Until Opill is available for purchase, you’ll still need a prescription for hormonal birth control. But, in some states, pharmacists can now prescribe birth control. This means you can get birth control from your local pharmacy without seeing a doctor. Here’s how. 

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 to make an appointment (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 they may be HSA eligible.  

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. 

While your pharmacist will be able to help you decide on birth control, 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. 

Health insurance will likely cover part (or all) of the cost of your birth control. If you don’t have health insurance, your pharmacist can work with you to find a type of birth control you can afford. And 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. 

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

• Hawaii

• Idaho

• Illinois

• Maryland

• Minnesota (under 18 only with a previous prescription from a doctor)

• 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 doctor)

• 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: 

• Michigan

• Montana

• Nebraska

• South Dakota

• Washington

• Wisconsin

Pharmacist prescribing is approved, but still in progress:

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• Maine

• Massachusetts

• New Jersey

• New York

• Rhode Island

• Washington, D.C.

Pharmacist prescribing is not available yet: 

• Alabama

• Alaska

• Florida

• Georgia

• Iowa

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Louisiana

• Mississippi

• Missouri

• North Dakota

• Ohio

• Oklahoma

• Pennsylvania

• Texas

• Wyoming 

Keep in mind that some states require you to see a doctor 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)?

No. OTC medications are medications that you can get without a prescription. Common examples include allergy pills, pain relievers, and sleep aids. So far, most OTC hormonal birth control is not available for purchase yet. The only exception is emergency contraception (Plan B). 

But stay tuned: As mentioned above, in 2023 the FDA approved the first OTC birth control pill — Opill (norgestrel). Opill should be available early in 2024. 

It’s also good to know that even though birth control pills aren’t available OTC yet, there are many other types of OTC birth control. These include:

• Condoms

• Spermicides

• Plan B emergency contraception

• 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 menstrual symptoms, irregular periods, heavy periods, ovarian cysts, and hormonal imbalances. 

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

In 2015, Oregon was the first state to let pharmacists prescribe birth control. In that state, 3 out of every 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 — compared with women who received a typical 1 to 3 month prescription. 

Why trust our experts?

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. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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