There is no age requirement to buy Plan B. Since June 2013, the FDA has approved Plan B One-Step for over-the-counter sale without any age restrictions. Anyone can walk into a pharmacy, drugstore, or superstore and purchase it, no prescription and no ID needed.
What Changed in 2013
Before 2013, Plan B had a complicated history of age-based restrictions. At various points, buyers under 17 needed a prescription, and the pill was kept behind the pharmacy counter so staff could verify age before selling it. On June 20, 2013, the FDA approved Plan B One-Step as a fully nonprescription product available to anyone, removing all age limits. That ruling applies nationwide regardless of state.
Where to Find It in the Store
Because Plan B no longer has an age restriction, stores are not required to keep it behind the pharmacy counter. In practice, many retailers stock it on the shelf in the family planning aisle alongside condoms and pregnancy tests. Some stores do keep it in a locked case or near the pharmacy to reduce theft, which can create the impression that you need to ask permission or show ID. You don’t. If it’s in a locked case, a store employee will open it for you the same way they would for any other locked product.
Since Plan B doesn’t require an open pharmacy to dispense it, you can buy it even when the pharmacy window is closed, as long as the store itself is open and the product is accessible on the shelf.
No ID, No Prescription, Any Gender
You do not need to show a photo ID or proof of age. You do not need a prescription. And the purchase is not restricted by gender. According to Planned Parenthood, anyone of any age or gender can buy emergency contraception pills like Plan B over the counter. A boyfriend, partner, friend, or parent can purchase it on someone else’s behalf.
Generic Versions Follow the Same Rules
Plan B One-Step is the brand name, but several generic versions contain the same active ingredient (levonorgestrel, 1.5 mg) and work the same way. You may see names like Take Action, My Way, Option 2, and others on the shelf. These generics follow the same FDA approval for nonprescription sale without age restrictions. They tend to cost less, typically ranging from $10 to $25 compared to roughly $40 to $50 for brand-name Plan B, though prices vary by retailer.
How Insurance Affects Cost
Under the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance plans must cover FDA-approved emergency contraception. The catch: coverage typically requires a prescription from a healthcare provider, even though you can buy the pill without one. If cost is a concern, getting a prescription specifically for insurance reimbursement can bring your out-of-pocket cost to zero. Without insurance or a prescription, you’ll pay full retail price.
Planned Parenthood health centers and some community clinics offer emergency contraception at reduced cost or free, depending on your income.
How Ella Differs From Plan B
Ella is a different type of emergency contraception that works up to five days after unprotected sex and is more effective than Plan B for people who weigh more. Unlike Plan B, ella requires a prescription regardless of your age. A doctor, nurse, or telehealth provider must write one before a pharmacy can dispense it. Ella is approved for anyone of reproductive age, including adolescents, but the prescription requirement means you can’t simply grab it off a store shelf.
If you’re choosing between the two: Plan B is most effective when taken within 72 hours and works best for people under about 155 pounds. Ella maintains its effectiveness longer and across a wider weight range, but requires the extra step of getting a prescription first. For situations where time matters, Plan B’s immediate availability with no barriers is a significant advantage.