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.