CME Requirements for Physicians by State in 2025

Physicians have to complete an average of 25–50 continuing medical education (CME) hours every year.

Although the American Medical Association considered a resolution to streamline CME across states in 2024, requirements continue to vary from state to state. This means you still need to track and meet state-specific CME obligations.

This article will make the process easier. Read on to learn CME requirements for physicians by state.

1. Alabama

Alabama-licensed physicians must complete 25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits or equivalent each calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

Alabama doesn’t allow CME carryover between years, and physicians must renew their licenses annually.

Other requirements include:

• Two hours every two years on safe prescribing practices
• 2-hour Navigating Professional Boundaries in Medicine course via PBI Education by December 31, 2025 (within 12 months for new licensees)
• One additional CME course is required for physicians in supervisory or collaborative roles with NPs and PAs

2. Alaska

Alaska physicians have to complete 50 hours of CME every two years, about 25 hours per year.

Courses have to either be Category 1 AMA-approved or Category 1 or 2 AOA-approved. Licenses are renewed on a biennial basis.

3. Arizona

In Arizona, you have to complete 40 hours of CME every two years, with the renewal due on or before the licensee’s birthday.

CME hours must be completed within each renewal cycle.

4. Arkansas

Physicians in Arkansas have to complete 20 CME hours every year between their previous and current birthday.

At least 50% of these hours must be Category 1 and directly related to the physician’s primary area of practice.

Other requirements include one hour annually on prescribing opioids and/or benzodiazepines.

5. California

California requires physicians to complete 50 hours of CME every two years.

These courses have to be taken from a provider recognized by the Medical Board of California within the two years leading up to license expiration.

Other requirements include:

• One-time CME course on pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients
• Implicit bias training

Physicians with a patient base that includes 25% or more people aged 65+ also have to complete 20% of their CME in geriatric medicine (general internists and family physicians only).

6. Colorado

Physicians in Colorado have to complete 30 hours of CME every two years, with credits earned during the 24 months leading up to license renewal, reinstatement, or reactivation.

They can choose their own topics, but must include at least two hours per cycle on substance abuse disorders.

Other requirements include:

• CME on best practices for opioid prescribing
• Training on recognizing and referring patients with SUDs

7. Connecticut

Physicians must complete 50 hours of qualifying CME every two years.

The CME has to relate to the physician’s area of practice. Other requirements (enforced every six years) include:

• Two hours on behavioral health
• One hour each on infectious diseases, risk management, sexual assault, domestic violence, and cultural competency

8. Delaware

Delaware physicians are required to complete 40 hours of accredited CME every two years. Renewal includes attestation of CME completion and fulfillment of all required state-specific training.

Other requirements include:

• CME every two years on child abuse, domestic violence, and physician reporting responsibilities
• Two hours of CME every two years on topics like controlled substance prescribing, chronic pain treatment, or related areas (for doctors who prescribe controlled substances)

9. Florida

Physicians in Florida have to complete 38 CME hours every two years. Those renewing their license for the first time are only required to complete two hours on preventing medical errors and one hour on HIV/AIDS.

Other requirements (for all subsequent renewals) include:

• Two hours on domestic violence
• Two hours on medical errors
• Two hours on controlled substance prescribing

10. Georgia

Georgia-based physicians must complete 40 hours of board-approved CME every two years. Other requirements include:

• One-time 2-hour CME on controlled substance prescribing, abuse recognition, and chronic pain management
• Two hours on professional boundaries and physician sexual misconduct
• 20 hours on palliative care or pain management (for physicians working in pain clinics without board certification)

11. Hawaii

Hawaii physicians have to complete a total of 100 CME hours every two years for license renewal. These can be met with either 40 Category 1 and 60 Category 2 hours or 100 Category 1 hours.

The CME must be completed in the two calendar years before the January 21 renewal deadline. Other requirements include:

• 50 CME hours (either 20 Category 1 and 30 Category 2, or all Category 1) for newly licensed physicians
• No CME for physicians licensed in the second year of the cycle

12. Idaho

If you’re in Idaho, you must complete at least 40 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 CME every two years. The CME has to be relevant to your scope of work.

13. Illinois

To renew a medical license in Illinois, physicians must complete 150 hours of CME every three years and attest to compliance at the time of renewal. The state also performs random audits to make sure CME requirements are being met.

Other requirements include:

• One hour every six years on safe opioid prescribing
• One hour every six years on cultural competency
• One hour every three years on sexual harassment prevention
• One hour every three years on recognizing dementia
• One hour every three years on implicit bias
• One hour every six years on identifying and reporting child abuse (for physicians who treat children)

14. Indiana

Indiana doesn’t require a specific number of CME hours for general medical license renewal. However, physicians who renew their controlled substances registration have to meet targeted education requirements.

Other than that, they also have to complete two hours of CME on opioid prescribing and opioid abuse.

15. Iowa

In Iowa, physicians must complete 40 hours of Category 1 CME every two years. Those who become certified or re-certified with an ABMS or AOA specialty board during the renewal period may claim 50 credits.

Other requirements (mostly for primary care physicians) include:

• Two hours every five years on end-of-life care
• CME on chronic pain management
• Two hours every five years on dependent adult abuse

16. Kansas

Physicians in Kansas must complete 50 CME hours by the end of year one, 100 hours by the end of year two, and 150 hours by the end of year three. Of these, at least 40% must be Category 1 credits, with the remaining allowed as Category 2.

The CME has to come from structured, formal activities like lectures, seminars, or workshops. They must also fulfill one of these topic areas: acute or chronic pain management, appropriate prescribing of opioids, or use of prescription drug monitoring programs.

17. Kentucky

Kentucky physicians have to complete 60 hours of CME every three years, including at least 30 hours certified as AMA category 1 by an ACCME-accredited organization. Other requirements include:

• Three hours on domestic violence within three years of initial licensure
• 4.5 hours every three years on prescribing controlled substances (for those with prescribing authority)

18. Louisiana

Louisiana doctors have to complete 20 hours of Category 1 CME annually. New licensees are also required to complete a board-sponsored or board-approved orientation program within their first renewal period.

Other requirements for controlled dangerous substance license holders include three hours of CME on drug diversion training, controlled substance prescribing, and addiction treatment.

19. Maine

CME is not required for initial licensure in Maine. However, for renewal, physicians have to complete 40 hours of Category 1 CME every two years. The first renewal cycle is prorated based on when the initial license was issued and the physician’s birth year.

Other requirements include:

• Three hours of CME on opioid prescribing each renewal cycle
• Passing an open-book exam on the Board’s licensing rules and policy statements (for renewing physicians)

20. Maryland

Maryland physicians have to earn at least 50 Category 1 CME credits every two years. First-time license renewals are exempt from this requirement. Doctors with a controlled substance registration also have to fulfill the following:

• Two CME credits on prescribing and dispensing controlled substances
• 1-1.5 CME credits on implicit bias

21. Massachusetts

Physicians need to complete 50 hours of CME every two years in Massachusetts. These can be earned through either Category 1 or Category 2 credits. Other requirements include:

• Ten hours on risk management
• Three hours on opioid and pain management
• One-time trainings on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, domestic and sexual violence, electronic health records (three hours), child abuse and neglect, end-of-life care (two hours), and implicit bias (two hours)

22. Michigan

In Michigan, physicians have to complete 150 CME hours every three years, including a minimum of 75 hours in Category 1 programs (60 hours for DOs). Licenses expire on January 31 of the renewal year.

Other requirements include:

• One hour on medical ethics
• Three hours on pain and symptom management
• Implicit bias training

23. Minnesota

Physicians licensed in Minnesota have to complete 75 hours of Category 1 CME every three years to remain eligible for license renewal.

The Board accepts current certification or maintenance of certification from ABMS, RCPSC, or AOA as an alternative to fulfilling CME requirements.

24. Mississippi

All physicians licensed in Mississippi have to complete 40 hours of Category 1 CME every two years to maintain licensure. They must also complete five hours on prescribing practices.

25. Missouri

Physicians licensed in Missouri are required to complete and report 50 hours of CME every two years. Any physician who gets specialty board certification or recertification during this period can use that to fulfill the full CME requirement.

26. Montana

Montana doesn’t require physicians to complete CME for license renewal.

27. Nebraska

In Nebraska, physician licenses expire on October 1 of every even-numbered year. To renew their licenses, physicians have to complete 50 hours of AMA Category 1 CME during the current renewal period.

Three of the 50 required CME hours have to focus on opioid prescribing, with at least 0.5 hours covering the use of the prescription drug monitoring program.

28. Nevada

Physicians in Nevada must complete up to 40 hours of CME, with the exact requirement varying based on medical specialty and licensure status.

CME topics must include addiction, bioterrorism, misuse and abuse of controlled substances, prescribing opioids, and suicide detection/intervention/prevention. In 2025, Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) training is required.

29. New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, physicians have to complete 100 hours of approved CME every two years, including at least 40 hours of Category 1 credits.

Other requirements include three hours on pain management and addiction disorders during each renewal cycle (required for physicians with an NH-DEA license).

30. New Jersey

Physicians have to complete 100 hours of CME every two years in New Jersey. At least 40 of these hours must be Category 1 credit, with the remaining being either Category 1 or 2. Other requirements include:

• One hour on responsible opioid prescribing
• Two hours on end-of-life care (every renewal cycle)
• Six hours on cultural competency (one-time)

31. New Mexico

Physicians licensed in New Mexico have to complete 75 hours of CME every three years. These hours have to include clinical courses certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. Other requirements are:

• Five hours on pain management
• One hour reviewing the New Mexico Medical Practice Act (only required at renewal)

32. New York

CME hours aren’t required for license renewal in New York, but specific topic-based training is mandatory. Requirements include:

• Two hours on child abuse identification and reporting (one-time requirement)
• Three hours on pain management, palliative care, and addiction (required at first licensure and every third renewal)
• Infection control training (required at first license and every four years)

33. North Carolina

To remain in good standing, North Carolina physicians have to complete at least 60 hours of Category 1 CME every three years, focused on their current or intended specialty.

They must also complete three hours each renewal cycle on controlled substance prescribing

34. North Dakota

Physicians licensed in North Dakota must complete 60 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit CME every three years.

35. Ohio

To renew a medical license in Ohio, physicians have to complete 50 hours of AMA Category 1 CME every two years.

Other requirements include the completion of the Duty to Report CME course.

36. Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, physicians have to complete 60 hours of AMA Category 1 CME every three years to maintain licensure. They must also complete one hour of CME in pain management each year.

37. Oregon

Oregon physicians have to complete 60 hours of AMA Category 1 CME every two years. Physicians licensed during the second year of the two-year cycle only need to complete 30 hours of CME relevant to their current medical practice.

Other requirements include:

• One hour annually on cultural competency (if selected for audit)
• One hour on pain management

38. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvanians have to complete 100 hours of CME every two years. MDs have to earn at least 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit hours, while DOs must complete at least 20 AOA Category 1-A credits.

Requirements include:

• Two hours on pain management, addiction identification, or opioid prescribing and dispensing
• 12 hours on patient safety and risk management
• Two hours on child abuse recognition and reporting

39. Rhode Island

Rhode Island physicians have to complete 40 hours of CME every two years to maintain licensure. For the 2024 renewal cycle, these hours may cover any topic as long as they are ACCME-accredited.

Other requirements include one hour on Alzheimer’s disease (one-time, career-long requirement).

40. South Carolina

Physicians in South Carolina must complete 40 hours of CME every two years, including at least 30 hours in their area of specialty.

The remaining 10 hours may be non-specialty topics. All CME has to be AMA or AOA Category 1 and completed within the renewal period.

Other requirements include:

• Two hours on safe prescribing and monitoring of controlled substances
• Up to ten hours from approved volunteer medical service

41. South Dakota

South Dakota doesn’t require physicians to complete CME for license renewal.

42. Tennessee

Physicians in Tennessee have to complete 40 hours of CME every calendar year (January 1 to December 31) before their license renewal year. Other requirements include:

• Two of the 40 hours must cover controlled substance prescribing
• 2-hour public safety course (required as of April 22, 2024)

43. Texas

Texas physicians must complete 48 CME hours every 24 months, based on their biennial registration period. At least half of these hours have to be formal Category 1 or 1A credits. Newly licensed physicians are exempt during their first registration cycle.

Other requirements include:

• Two hours on medical ethics and/or professional responsibility
• One hour on human trafficking prevention
• Two hours on opioid prescribing, monitoring, or alternative pain management

44. Utah

Utah physicians have to complete 40 hours of CME every two years, with at least 24 hours in Category 1 activities approved by the ACCME. Other requirements include:

• 3.5 hours on controlled substance prescribing
• 0.5-1 hour on suicide prevention training

45. Vermont

Physicians licensed in Vermont have to complete 30 hours of CME every two years to maintain licensure. Other requirements include one hour on hospice care, palliative care, end-of-life care, or pain management.

46. Virginia

To renew an active license, Virginia physicians have to complete 60 hours of CME every two years. These have to be offered by an accredited sponsor or sanctioned professional organization.

Other requirements include:

• Two hours on addiction diagnosis and management, pain management, or proper prescribing of controlled substances
• One hour on human trafficking (required for all licenses during the 2024 and 2025 renewal cycles)

47. Washington

Washington physicians have to complete 200 hours of continuing education every four years, as outlined in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7. Other requirements include:

• Six hours on suicide prevention
• Two hours on health equity
• One hour on opioid prescribing

48. West Virginia

Physicians licensed in West Virginia have to complete 50 hours of AMA or AAFP Category CME every two years, with at least 30 hours related to their specialty.

Other requirements include one-time, three-hour board-approved training on drug diversion and best practices for prescribing controlled substances.

49. Wisconsin

Wisconsin physicians have to complete 30 hours of AMA or AOA Category 1 CME every two years to maintain licensure. They must also complete two hours on responsible opioid prescribing.

50. Wyoming

Wyoming doctors have to complete 60 hours of CME every three years to remain in good standing. They must also complete one hour on the responsible prescribing of controlled substances or treatment of substance use disorders.

Fulfill Your CME Requirements With Physicians Thrive

CME requirements differ from state to state, and staying compliant requires you to understand which topics you need to know about, which credits count (and when they expire), and which board policy changes affect you.

Managing these requirements can take valuable hours away from your locum tenens work, medical practice, or hospital responsibilities. That’s where we come in.

At Physicians Thrive, we walk physicians through their CME obligations, so they don’t spend time and money on expensive courses, seminars, and live sessions that will not earn them credit for their licensure.

Our team starts with an analysis of your background, looks at your board CME requirements, and gives you a roadmap on how to ensure you’re always up-to-date with them.

Want to make CME compliance one less thing to worry about? Give us a call today!