Continuing Medical Education Requirements by State

Click a state to view the CME requirements.

In the United States, licensure requirements are established and enforced by the state. Each state medical board requires licensees to obtain certain credentials before seeking licensure. Once a physician has licensure, they must maintain certain professional standards in order to keep their license. Almost every state requires continuing medical education credits as a requisite for continuing licensure within the state. The number and type of continuing medical education credits required varies by state. Moreover, some states stipulate that certain CME credits must be acquired within certain disciplines of interest, such as end-of-life care and pain management. These continuing medical education credits must be obtained within a discrete period of time, usually between 1 to 2 years. First time applicants and physicians who are seeking to renew their medical license should be aware of their state's CME requirements. A list of CME requirements for each state is listed below; however, state medical licensure boards reserve the right to change these requirements at any time.

Alabama

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 25 – 1yr
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 25
Documentation ABMS

Alaska

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 50 – 2yr
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 50
Documentation AMA PRA, ABMS, GME

Alaska

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 50 – 2yr
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 50
Documentation AMA PRA, ABMS, GME

Arizona

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yr
Yearly average 20
Documentation AMA PRA, AMA PRA application, ABMS, GME
Arizona DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yr
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 12 per yr (AOA 1-A)
Certificates Accepted as Equivalent AOA, ABMS, GME

Arkansas

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 20 – 1yr
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits Not Specified
Documentation AMA PRA, AOA, GME

California

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 50 – 2yrs
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 50
Documentation AMA PRA application, ABMS, SMS
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Pain management/ geriatric medicine, end-of-life care (see notes, below)
California DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 150 – 3yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 60 (AOA 1-A or B)
Documentation AOA
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Pain management, geriatric medicine, end-of-life care; AOA cert. accepted when accompanied by AOA activity registration

Colorado

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval None

Connecticut

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 50 – 2yrs
Yearly average 25
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Infectious disease, risk management, sexual assault, domestic violence, cultural competence

Delaware

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation AMA PRA application

District of Columbia

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 50 – 2 yrs
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 50
Certificates Accepted as Equivalent AMA PRA application, AOA, GME

Florida

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Certificates Accepted as Equivalent AMA PRA, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Several special requirements
Florida DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 20 (AOA 1-A)
Documentation AMA PRA application, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes See notes, below.

Georgia

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2 yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation AMA PRA application, AOA, GME

Guam

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 100 – 2yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 25
Documentation AMA PRA application, AOA, NSS, ACEP

Hawaii

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation AMA PRA, AOA, SMS, NSS, GME

Idaho

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation AMA PRA, AMA PRA application, AOA, ABMS, GME

Illinois

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 150 – 3yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 60
Documentation AMA PRA, SMS, NSS, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes SMS, NSS if ACCME-accredited

Indiana

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval None

Iowa

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation AMA PRA, ABMS (cert and recert), GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Training for identifying and reporting abuse required every 5 yrs for EM, FM, IM, GP, OB/GYN, and Psych, and others who regularly provide primary care to children and adults

Kansas

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 50 – 1yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 20
Documentation AMA PRA, AMA PRA application, AOA, ABMS, SMS, GME

Kentucky

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 60 – 3yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 30
Documentation AMA PRA, AOA, NSS, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes One time domestic violence course for primary care physicians; 2 credits HIV/AIDS every 10 yrs; course must be KY-approved

Louisiana

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 20 – 1yr
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 20
Documentation AMA PRA
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes One-time board orientation course

Maine

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 100 – 2yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation AMA PRA, AMA PRA application, ABMS, SMS, GME
Maine DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 100 – 2yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40 (AOA 1-A or B)
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Specialists may obtain other than AOA Category 1 credits

Maryland

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 50 – 2yrs
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits AMA PRA application, ABMS†
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes †Partial credit for ABMS

Massachusetts

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 100 – 2yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40 (AOA 1-A for DOs)
Documentation AMA PRA, AMA PRA application, ABMS, SMS
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Study board requirements; risk management

Michigan

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 150 – 3yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 75
Michigan DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 150 – 3yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 60 (AOA 1-A or B)
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits ABMS, GME

Minnesota

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 75 – 3yrs
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 75
Documentation AMA PRA, ABMS, MOCOMP
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes ABMS cert/recert accepted

Mississippi

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40 (DOs: AOA 1-A)
Documentation AMA PRA application, ABMS, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Initial certification only

Missouri

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 50 – 2yrs
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 50
Documentation ABMS, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Can be fulfilled with various types of credit

Montana

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval None

Nebraska

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 50 – 2yrs
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 50
Documentation AMA PRA, AOA

Nevada

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation AMA PRA application, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Ethics (2 credits), 20 credits in specialty; other 18 credits can be any in Category 1; 4 credits in WMD/bioterrorism (new applicants only)
Nevada DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 35 – 1yrs
Yearly average 35
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 10 (AOA 1-A)
Certificates Accepted as Equivalent AMA PRA application, AOA, ABMS

New Hampshire

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 100 – 2yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 60
Documentation AMA PRA, ABMS, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Credits reported to NH Med Society

New Jersey

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 100 – 2yrs
AMA/AOA/AAFP/ACOG Category 1 Hours Required 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Cultural competence in addition to other credit hours required

New Mexico

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 75 – 3yrs
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 75
Documentation AMA PRA, ABMS, GME
New Mexico DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 75 – 3yrs
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 75
Documentation AMA PRA, ABMS, USMLE
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Active membership in AOA may replace 75 CME credits

New York

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval None
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Infection control, child abuse

North Carolina

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 150 – 3yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 60

North Dakota

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 60 – 3yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 60
Documentation AMA PRA, AMA PRA application, ABMS, MOCOMP

Ohio

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 100 – 2yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40 (DOs: AOA 1-A or B)
Documentation AMA PRA application, AOA
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes CME must be OSMA/OOA-certified

Oklahoma

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 60 – 3yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 60
Documentation AMA PRA, ABMS, GME†
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes †50 hrs for each yr of GME
Oklahoma DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 16 – 1yrs
Yearly average 16
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 16 (AOA 1-A or B)
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes 1 credit on prescribing controlled substances (every 2 yrs)

Oregon

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 60 – 2yrs
Yearly average 60
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 30

Pennsylvania

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 100 – 2yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 20
Documentation SMS, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes 12 credits risk management or patient safety
Pennsylvania DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 100 – 2yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 20 (AOA 1-A)
Documentation SMS, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes 12 credits risk management or patient safety

Puerto Rico

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 60 – 3yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation AMA PRA

Rhode Island

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation AMA PRA, AMA PRA application, AOA, ABMS, SMS, NSS, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes 2 credits: universal precautions, bioterrorism, end of life, OSHA, ethics, or pain management

South Carolina

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation ABMS, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes 75% specialty education (30 credits every 2 yrs)

South Dakota

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval None

Tennessee

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation AMA PRA
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes 1 credit (every 2 years) in appropriate prescribing
Tennessee DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40 (AOA 1-A or 2-A)
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Pain Prescribing

Texas

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 24 – 1yr
Yearly average 24
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 12 (DOs: AOA 1-A)
Documentation AMA PRA, AOA, ABMS, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Of 12 Category 1 credits, at least 1 in ethics and/or professional responsibility

Utah

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Six hours may be from Division of Occupational and Professional Lic.
Utah DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 40 – 2yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 40
Documentation GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes See note above for Utah MD board

Vermont

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval None
Vermont DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 30 – 2yr
Yearly average 15
Documentation AMA PRA
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes At least 12 of 30 credits must be osteopathic med education

Virgin Islands

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 25 – 1yr
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 25

Virginia

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 60 – 2yr
Yearly average 30
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 30
Documentation AMA PRA application, GME

Washington

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 200 – 4yrs
Yearly average 50
Documentation AMA PRA, ABMS, SMS, NSS
Washington DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 150 – 3 yrs
Yearly average 50
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 60 (AOA 1-A or B)
Documentation AMA PRA, AMA PRA application, ABMS, SMS, GME, Other (see note)
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes Accepted various types of credit as equivalent

West Virginia

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 50 – 2yrs
Yearly average 25
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 50
Documentation AMA PRA
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes 30 credits related to physician's designated specialty; 2 credits (onetime requirement) in end-of-life care, including pain management
West Virginia DO
Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 32 – 3 yrs
Yearly average 16
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 16 (AOA 1-A or B)
Documentation AOA, GME
State-Mandated CME Content/Additional Notes 2 credits (one-time requirement) in end-of-life care, including pain management

Wisconsin

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 30 – 2yrs
Yearly average 15
AMA PRA Category 1™ or Equivalent AOA, AAFP or ACOG Credits 30
Documentation AMA PRA

Wyoming

Number of CME credit hours – Time interval 60 – 3yrs
Yearly average 20
AMA/AOA/AAFP/ACOG Category 1 Hours Required 60
Certificates Accepted as Equivalent AMA PRA, AOA, ABMS, GME

Acronyms

ABMS – Certification or recertification by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties
AMA PRA – American Medical Association Physician's Recognition Award
AOA – American Osteopathic Association
AAFP – American Academy of Family Practice
ACOG – American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
APA – American Pediatric Association
CMA – California Medical Association
CAFP – California Academy of Family Physicians
CME – Continuing medical education
FLEX – Federation Licensing Examination
GME – Graduate medical education
MOCOMP – Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
OSMA – Ohio State Medical Association
USMLE – United States Medical Licensing Association.