District of Columbia Medical Doctor CME

How many CME hours do District of Columbia physicians need?

District of Columbia physicians need 50 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 or Category 1-equivalent continuing education every two years ( D.C. Municipal Regulations, Title 17, Chapter 46 — Medicine , § 4615.2). You may complete all 50 hours online with an on-demand Complete District of Columbia CME Physician Package

Since June 16, 2024, the District of Columbia Board of Medicine has renewed licenses on an individualized birth-month cycle: every credential now expires on the last day of the holder's birth month, under the individual birth-month schedule assigned to the credential ( District of Columbia Board of Medicine ). A one-time, 50%-of-requirement CE accommodation applied only during the 2024 transition, for licensees who received less than two full years on their first birth-month-cycle license term; the Board describes it as a one-time transition accommodation.

Which CME courses or topics are required for District of Columbia physicians?

Every physician must complete 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency training each renewal period, covering clinical skills, health disparities, and confidentiality practices for LGBTQ patients ( D.C. Official Code § 3-1205.10 ).

Every physician must also complete 5 hours in public health priorities designated by the Department of Health, drawn from a defined set of topics such as opioid prescribing, violence and abuse identification, and emergency preparedness, plus at least one course in pharmacology each renewal period ( District of Columbia Board of Medicine ).

Physicians who apply for or renew a DEA registration must make a one-time attestation of eight hours of qualifying substance use disorder training , unless another statutory qualification applies. Eligible prior coursework can satisfy the federal rule; the DEA does not require a newly purchased course or eight extra state CME hours. DEA MATE Act FAQ .

Do newly licensed District of Columbia physicians need CME for their first renewal?

For a license granted by examination, no. The cited regulation exempts that first renewal. It separately exempts initial licensure applications by examination, reciprocity, or endorsement; it does not clearly extend the first-renewal exemption to licenses granted by reciprocity or endorsement ( D.C. Municipal Regulations, Title 17, Chapter 46 — Medicine , § 4615.5).

Does the District of Columbia Board of Medicine audit CME records?

Yes. The Board may audit active licensees and request supporting course records, giving audited physicians 30 days to respond with certificates showing the program name, location, subject, dates, hours, and sponsor ( D.C. Municipal Regulations, Title 17, Chapter 46 — Medicine , § 4616.2).

Sources

Last verified: September 23, 2026

• District of Columbia Board of Medicine

• D.C. Municipal Regulations, Title 17, Chapter 46 — Medicine

• D.C. Official Code § 3-1205.10

• DEA Diversion Control Division — MATE Act Training FAQ

• DCMR § 17-4601 (Term of License) — DCRegs official portal