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.
