Continuing Education and Other Required Training for Physicians (2024)

In general, physicians licensed to practice medicine are required tocomplete Board approved continuing medical education of not less than 40 hours biennially. Some exceptions apply (see Rule 360-15-.01 for more information).

The Board accepts the following as meeting its requirement for Board approval:

  • A.M.A. (American Medical Association) Category 1 credit;
  • A.O.A. (American Osteopathic Association) Category 1 credit;
  • A.A.F.P. (American Academy of Family Physicians) Prescribed credit;
  • A.C.O.G. (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) Cognates, Category 1;
  • A.C.E.P. (American College of Emergency Physicians) Category 1.
  • It is the responsibility of the licensee to verify approval with the source of the program, not with the Board, and the licensee should verify approval before taking the course.

The Board has engaged the services of CE Broker to assist licensees with free continuing education compliance.While participation in CE Broker is not required, the Board encourages its licensees to utilize the system. CE Broker’s software will streamline the continuing education process and give licensees access to a centralized hub where they can find relevant courses, track progress, and maintain records. Licensees can sign up for a free account with CE Broker, or they can upgrade to a premium account with more features. Click HERE to sign up for an account with CE Broker.

Physicians who do not hold a certification in pain management or palliative medicine, and who work in a pain clinic must demonstrate competence by biennially obtaining 20 hours of continuing medical education ("CME") pertaining to pain management or palliative medicine.Such CME must be an AMA/AOA PRA Category 1 CME, a board-approved CME program, or any federally approved CME. Completion of this requirement may count as 20 hours toward the CME requirement for license renewal.

Every physician who maintains an active DEA certificate and prescribes controlled substances shall complete at least three hours of AMA/AOA PRA Category 1 CME that is designed specifically to address controlled substance prescribing practices. The controlled substance prescribing CME shall include instruction on controlled substance prescribing guidelines, recognizing signs of the abuse or misuse of controlled substances, and controlled substance prescribing for chronic pain management. Completion of this requirement may count as three hours toward the CME requirement for license renewal and only needs to be completed once during a physician’s career. See links at bottom of this page for CME meeting this requirement.

All physicians shall be required to receive at least two hours of education and training regarding professional boundaries and physician sexual misconduct. Such education and training shall include subject matter relating to how to proceed with basic as well as sensitive or intimate examinations and the communication with patients that is required as a component of such examinations. Completion of this requirement may count as two hours toward the CME requirement for license renewal and only needs to be completed once during a physician’s career. See links at bottom of this page for CME meeting this requirement.More information on this topic can also be found by clicking HERE.

Some CME can be waived in certain situations as well, such as providing peer reviews of investigative cases for the Board or providing uncompensated health care services (e.g. free clinics). For more information, please see Rule 360-15-.01.

Each licensed physician who must meet these requirements must maintain records of attendance and supporting documents for continuing education for a period of 5 years from the date of attendance. At a minimum, the following must be kept:

  • Name of provider;
  • Name of program;
  • Hours/continuing education Units completed;
  • Date of Completion;
  • Evidence of A.M.A. Category 1 credit or A.O.A. Category 1 credit.

Physicians will be required to answer questions on their biennial renewal form which establish either compliance or eligibility for exception pursuant to Rule 360-15-.01. Physicians will not be required to send documentation of compliance with continuing education requirements for renewal, unless requested by the Board, pursuant to Rule 360-15-.02. False statements regarding satisfaction of continuing education requirements on the renewal form or any other documents connected with the practice of medicine may subject the licensee to disciplinary action by the Board.

The Board will audit a fixed percentage of randomly selected renewal applications to monitor compliance with the continuing medical education requirements. Any physician so audited will be required to furnish records of attendance and certificates of completion.

Continuing medical education hours that are used to satisfy a deficiency or Board order shall be excluded from the computation of hours required to be completed for the renewal of the physician's license for the next biennium.

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The education options linked below are provided as a courtesy for physicians who are curious what CME meets the requirements mentioned above. This list is not exhaustive; education and training meeting these requirements include but are not limited to:

Continuing Education and Other Required Training for Physicians (2024)

FAQs

What are the continuing education requirements for physicians in California? ›

In order to ensure the continuing competence of licensed physician, you must complete a minimum of 50 hours of approved Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours during each biennial renewal cycle.

What are the continuing education requirements for physicians in Texas? ›

Texas State Continuing Medical Education (CME) Requirements. Credit amount: Texas requires 48 CME hours per licensure cycle, half of which must be Category 1 or Category 1A CME courses.

What are the continuing education requirements for physicians in Florida? ›

Florida State Continuing Medical Education (CME) Requirements. Credit amount: Florida requires a total of 40 hours of CME credits per license renewal cycle. First-time license renewals require a total of only 3 hours of CME credits. Licensure cycle: Biennial—expiring on Jan.

What is continuing education Why is it important in healthcare? ›

According to The Institute for Health Care Improvement, "CE is a vehicle for spreading best practices and how to improve patient outcomes." New medications, technologies and protocols can all contribute to improved patient care and CE can help you stay up to date on these advancements.

How many hours of Continuing Medical Education must a physician assistant complete every two years? ›

In order to ensure continuing competence of a licensed physician assistant, a licensee must complete a minimum of fifty (50) hours of approved continuing medical education (CME) during each two (2) year renewal period immediately preceding the expiration of the license (Section 1399.615 of Title 16, California Code of ...

Does California PE require continuing education? ›

California professional engineers are not required to complete PDH. California professional engineer licenses are renewed every two years from the assigned renewal date.

What are the continuing education requirements for Florida PE? ›

Professional Engineers licensed in Florida must take 18 continuing education (CE) course hours every two years to renew their licenses.

What are the continuing education requirements for PA PE license? ›

Continuing Education (when renewing license):

24 Hours - Each licensee shall be required to obtain twenty-four professional development hours during the biennial renewal period. A licensee is not required to complete continuing education during the biennium in which the licensee is first licensed.

How many hours of continuing education are required for license renewal in Texas? ›

Most licenses require 24 hours of continuing education every two years. Some license types require specific topics to be included. Three hours must be ethics-related. At least half of the hours must take place in a classroom or “classroom equivalent".

What are the continuing education requirements for PE in Virginia? ›

Engineers in Virginia must earn 16 professional development hour credits every two years. Ethics courses are accepted but not required. Virginia does not pre-approve course providers or courses. License renewal is biennial, based on the last day of the month that the original license was issued or reinstated.

What are the continuing education requirements for osteopathic physicians in Michigan? ›

* All Michigan licensed Osteopathic Physicians must complete 150 hours of board approved CE during the 3 years immediately preceding the application for renewal. Of the 150 hours, at least 60 hours must be in earned in Category 1 programs.

What are the continuing medical education requirements in Missouri? ›

The Missouri Board of Healing Arts requires that physicians must obtain 50 hours of continuing medical education (CME) every two-year Missouri Board cycle.

What are three 3 benefits of continuing professional education? ›

Benefits of CPD
  • Keeping knowledge and skills up-to-date.
  • The professional standard of qualifications and registrations are maintained.
  • Provides a professional sense of direction.
  • Confidence and credibility are built and enhanced.

What is the main purpose of continuing education? ›

CE often is associated with didactic learning methods, such as lectures and seminars, which take place in auditoriums and classrooms. In theory, the purpose of continuing education is to update and reinforce knowledge, which should ultimately result in better patient care.

What is the purpose of continuing medical education? ›

Continuing medical education (CME) is continuing education (CE) that helps those in the medical field maintain competence and learn about new and developing areas of their field.

What is the ab 487 requirement? ›

AB 487 adds Business and Professions Code section 2190.5; requiring all physicians and surgeons complete a mandatory CME course in subjects of pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients.

What is the CME pain requirement in California? ›

The renewal period ends on the last day of the physician's birth month, every 2 years. Additionally, the Medical Board of California has a one-time requirement of 12 CME hours on pain management and the appropriate care and treatment of the terminally ill. Pathologists and Radiologists are exempt.

What is the difference between CME and CEUs? ›

One hour of instruction usually equals one CME credit. One CEU is equivalent to ten hours of instruction. CMEs are typically designed to address specific competencies in the medical field and enhance patient care. CEUs are designed to ensure ongoing learning and professional development within a specific field.

What is the one-time requirement of 12 hours of pain management and end of life care? ›

All physicians (except pathologists and radiologists) are required to take, as a one-time requirement, 12 units on pain management and the appropriate care and treatment of the terminally ill. Physicians must complete this requirement by their second license renewal date or within four years, whichever comes first.

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