A Comprehensive Guide to Physicians’ CME Requirements by State
As a medical professional, you go through rigorous training before actively practicing. But after that, the need to continue learning and revisiting fundamentals is crucial for your development and your patients’ safety. As a result, each state's medical board will have a required number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, and a time period in which the requirements must be fulfilled.
For some states, credits need to be earned on a yearly basis, and in other states, there is a total number of credits that need to be accumulated within as many as four years. There are outliers such as Colorado, Montana, and South Dakota, which don't require CME, but all other states have varying degrees of requirements for continued education, some requiring as many as 200 in four years, such as Washington, and some that require far fewer, such as Indiana.
State Changes to CME Requirements for Physicians due to COVID-19
In light of the pandemic, many states temporarily altered or deferred their continuing education requirements for a number of healthcare professionals, recognizing the difficulties medical professionals might have in meeting those requirements due to the pandemic.
Some of these special provisions may have been extended and some have expired since being issued, so be sure to check with your state's medical board to verify how many AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ you need to maintain your licensure.
CME Requirements For Medical Doctors By State
| State | CME Credit Requirements | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 25 | 1 |
| Alaska | 50 | 2 |
| Arizona | 40 | 2 |
| Arkansas | 20 | 1 |
| California | 50 | 2 |
| Colorado | N/A | |
| Connecticut | 50 | 2 |
| Delaware | 40 | 2 |
| District of Columbia (D.C.) | 50 | 2 |
| Florida | 40 | 2 |
| Georgia | 40 | 2 |
| Hawaii | 40 | 2 |
| Idaho | 40 | 2 |
| Illinois | 150 | 3 |
| Indiana | 2¹ | 2 |
| Iowa | 40 | 2 |
| Kansas | 50 | 1 |
| Kentucky | 60 | 3 |
| Louisiana | 20 | 1 |
| Maine | 40 | 2 |
| Maryland | 50 | 2 |
| Massachusetts | 50 | 2 |
| Michigan | 150 | 3 |
| Minnesota | 75 | 3 |
| Mississippi | 40 | 2 |
| Missouri | 50 | 2 |
| Montana | N/A | |
| Nebraska | 50 | 2 |
| Nevada | 40 | 2 |
| New Hampshire | 100 | 3 |
| New Jersey | 100 | 2 |
| New Mexico | 75 | 3 |
| New York | infection control² | |
| North Carolina | 60 | 3 |
| North Dakota | 60 | 3 |
| Ohio | 50 | 2 |
| Oklahoma | 60 | 3 |
| Oregon | 30 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | 100 | 2 |
| Rhode Island | 40 | 2 |
| South Carolina | 40 | 2 |
| South Dakota | N/A | |
| Tennessee | 40 | 2 |
| Texas | 48 | 2 |
| Utah | 40 | 2 |
| Vermont | 30 | 2 |
| Virginia | 60 | 2 |
| Washington | 200 | 4 |
| West Virginia | 50 | 2 |
| Wisconsin | 30 | 2 |
| Wyoming | 60 | 3 |
Notes:
The requirements presented above are representative of physicians operating within those states who are not newly licensed and are regularly renewing their license each renewal period. Physician assistants, doctors of osteopathic medicine, and other medical professionals may have different CME requirements.
¹ Indiana doesn't have specific CME requirements aside from two hours of CME regarding the prescription and abuse of opioids for each renewal period.
² New York requires medical practitioners to complete training related to infection control to maintain their licensure.
How to Fulfill Your CME Requirements
Regardless of your state's CME requirements, getting the necessary credits can prove challenging. With your responsibilities at work, home, and in the community, continued education training is easy to lose track of over the course of a couple years.
Of course, CME credits are crucial for keeping yourself informed and maintaining your licensure. So, how can you fulfill these requirements without becoming overwhelmed by stress? Here are a couple tips to help you meet your state's CME requirements.
Spread the Load
You don't want to find yourself cramming all your CME just prior to relicensing. Not only would it be highly stressful, but you can't rely on being able to schedule enough in that case.
- Look at how much CME you need and the time period you have to obtain it within
- Divide your needed CME over time—try calculating how much CME you need to complete each quarter or six months
- Compare this with your work schedule to find the most opportune times
Once you have a firm grasp on the rate at which you'll be needing to get credits, it's time to start registering for CME events.
Register Early for CME Events
When you register for CME events, it's always a good idea to do so well in advance. Not only does this ensure you'll have a seat, but it also simply gets the event on your calendar so you can prepare for it. The Continuing Education Company gives you the option to register now and pay later, so you can reserve a place at conferences without being locked in.
Communicate With Your Team
CME events will often take you away from your work. In this case, make sure you have briefed your team on what to expect while you're gone, and how and when you can be reached. Doing so ensures that your team is set up for success during your absence.
The Continuing Education Company Can Help You Earn Credits
You know what else helps reduce the stress of earning your CME credits? Doing so in a beautiful location!
The Continuing Education Company is a nonprofit educational organization devoted to furthering the development of medical and healthcare professionals across the country. Their curriculum, developed by physicians, pharmacists, and educators with extensive clinical and CME experience, is presented at several gorgeous locations throughout the U.S.
Can't travel? No problem! The Continuing Education Company also offers completely virtual CME webcasts and self-paced online courses.
Whether you want an in-person CME conference, an online live stream, or on-demand CME courses, the Continuing Education Company has you covered. Ready to experience the CEC difference? Register today, with the option to register now and pay later for your conference.