California Medical Doctor CME

• California Medical Doctor - Standard Renewal Requirements: California physicians renew every two years; licenses expire on the last day of the issuance month and there is no grace period. Doctors must complete 50 hours of approved CME each cycle, with a one-time 12-hour requirement in pain management and end-of-life care (including Schedule II addiction risk), which counts toward the 50 hours. Certain internists and family physicians must devote ≥20% of their CME to geriatrics/dementia when seniors make up more than 25% of their panel. See the Medical Board’s renewal and CME guidance. Medical Board of California+1

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• First-time renewal: For licenses issued on/after January 1, 2022, initial renewal requires Board verification of 36 months of approved postgraduate training or proof of enrollment in a Board-approved program through the expiration date. MBC – Current Status: Initial License Renewal Requirement . Medical Board of California

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• Certification alternative (ABMS/AOA or NCCPA): Passing a specialty board certification/recertification exam earns 100 CME hours for four consecutive years; other recognized activities include residency/fellowship and teaching/presenting. (NCCPA applies to PAs, not MDs.) MBC – CME (Credit Options) . Medical Board of California

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• Controlled substance / Opioid prescribing: Complete the one-time 12-hour pain/end-of-life CME (above). In addition, physicians must consult CURES (the state PDMP) the first time prescribing a Schedule II–IV controlled substance to a patient and at least every 6 months thereafter if it remains part of treatment (limited exemptions apply). MBC – CURES Mandatory Consultation FAQs (PDF) . Medical Board of California

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• DEA or PMP enrollment: If you hold a DEA registration authorizing Schedules II–IV, you must register with CURES (PDMP); failure to consult as required may result in citation/discipline. MBC – CURES 101 • MBC – CURES Mandatory Consultation FAQs (PDF) . Medical Board of California+1

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• Implicit bias / Cultural competency: Under BPC §2190.1, all CME courses with direct patient-care content must include implicit bias curriculum (provider standard; not additional hours). See MBC’s update and statutory text. MBC Newsletter (July 2021) – Implicit Bias • Statute text (BPC §2190.1, as amended) . Medical Board of California Department of Managed Health Care