How to Get EC

EC, sold under the brand names Plan B^® One-Step and Next Choice^TM, is now available without a prescription for women and men age 17 and older at pharmacies across the United States!
If you are 17 or older and have government-issued ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, green card, etc.), you can buy EC over-the-counter at pharmacies, where it is sold under the brand names Plan B^® One-Step and Next Choice^TM. The cost of Plan B^® One-Step ranges between $35-60. The cost of the generic Next Choice^TM averages 10-20% less at $30-55. Emergency contraception is kept behind-the-counter so you will need to ask the pharmacist for a pack and present your identification in order to obtain it. To find a pharmacy where you can get EC, visit Plan B^® One-Step's Pharmacy Locator.

How can I obtain EC if I'm under 17?
Young women under 17 still need a prescription from a doctor or other health care provider in order to buy EC at the pharmacy, except in a few states which have special pharmacy access legislation. Women who live in AK, CA, HI, MA, ME, NH, NM, VT and WA, can get EC directly from a local pharmacy regardless of their age.

Remember, the sooner you take EC the better it works. So if you're under 17 and need to get a prescription for EC, contact your health care provider's office right away. Some providers might ask you to come in for a visit, while others might be able to call in a prescription for you. If you don't have a health care provider, visit the Emergency Contraception website: www.not-2-late.com (also available in Spanish, French or Arabic).

How can I find an EC provider near me? What if I don't have a government issued ID proving my age? What if I can't afford the price of a pack of EC?
Don't worry - you can still get emergency contraception! To find an EC provider near you, many of whom can help you access low-cost or even free EC, visit the Emergency Contraception website.

For more information on why EC is kept "behind-the-counter" and advocacy efforts to make EC truly available over-the-counter, read our EC Behind-the-Counter Fact Sheet.

For more information on EC, check out our Fact Sheet on Emergency Contraception.