Kentucky Medical Doctor CME

How many CE hours do Kentucky physicians need?

Kentucky physicians need 60 hours of continuing medical education every three years, with a minimum of 30 hours in AMA or AOA Category 1 credit ( 201 KAR 9:310 ). You may complete all hours online with an on-demand Complete Kansas CME Physician Package

A physician licensed partway through the three-year cycle owes a prorated total based on how many full years remain in the current cycle ( Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure — CME Schedule 2024-2026 ).

The three-year CME cycle (currently 2024–2026, ending December 31, 2026) is separate from the physician's medical license itself, which renews every year by March 1 ( Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure — Physician Renewal ; 201 KAR 9:051 ). A physician certifies completion of the current three-year cycle's hours at the license renewal that follows the cycle's December 31 end date.

Kentucky doesn't allow a physician to carry over excess CME hours into the next three-year cycle ( 201 KAR 9:310 ).

Which CE topics are required for Kentucky physicians?

A primary care physician licensed after July 1, 1996 must complete a one-time 3-hour domestic violence training course within three years of initial licensure ( Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure — Continuing Medical Education ). A physician who prescribes or dispenses controlled substances must complete 4.5 hours of controlled substance prescribing CME each three-year cycle, on KASPER, pain management, or addiction disorders — counted within the 60-hour total, not in addition to it ( 201 KAR 9:310 ).

A pediatrician, radiologist, family practitioner, or emergency medicine or urgent care physician must complete a one-time 1-hour pediatric abusive head trauma training ( 201 KAR 9:310 ). A physician holding a DEA registration to prescribe buprenorphine must complete 12 hours of addiction medicine CME each three-year cycle — also counted within the 60-hour total, not in addition to it ( 201 KAR 9:270 ).

Physicians holding a DEA registration must also complete a one-time 8-hour DEA MATE Training on opioid or substance use disorders, under the federal MATE Act — a federal requirement, not a Kentucky Board mandate ( DEA Diversion Control Division — MATE Act Training FAQ ).

Do newly licensed Kentucky physicians need CE for their first renewal?

Yes, on a prorated schedule, plus certain one-time topic mandates. A physician licensed partway through the current three-year cycle owes a reduced total — for the 2024–2026 cycle, 40 hours for a physician licensed in 2025 and 20 hours for one licensed in 2026, each with proportionally reduced Category 1 minimums ( Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure — CME Schedule 2024-2026 ).

Separately, a newly licensed primary care physician must complete the one-time 3-hour domestic violence training within three years of initial licensure, and a newly licensed pediatrician, radiologist, family practitioner, or emergency medicine/urgent care physician must complete the one-time 1-hour pediatric abusive head trauma training within five years of initial licensure — both regardless of where the physician falls in the Board's three-year CME cycle ( Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure — Continuing Medical Education ; 201 KAR 9:310 ).

Does the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure audit CE records?

Yes. The Board randomly selects physicians for CME audits; a physician found non-compliant faces a minimum $200 fine and a six-month window to come into compliance before facing license suspension ( 201 KAR 9:310 ).

Sources

• Last verified: September 23, 2026

• Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure — Continuing Medical Education

• 201 KAR 9:310 — Continuing Medical Education

• 201 KAR 9:270 — Professional Standards for Prescribing or Dispensing Buprenorphine

• 201 KAR 9:051 — License Renewal and Registration

• Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure — Physician Renewal

• Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure — CME Schedule 2024-2026

• DEA Diversion Control Division — MATE Act Training FAQ