Maryland Medical Doctor CME

How many CE hours do Maryland physicians need?

Maryland physicians need 50 hours of continuing medical education every two years, of which at least 25 hours must be Category I ( COMAR 10.32.01.10 ). You may complete all 40 hours online with an on-demand Complete Maryland CME Physician Package

Renewal falls every two years on a single shared date, September 30, but which YEAR a given physician renews in depends on surname: physicians whose last name begins with A through L renew in even-numbered years, and M through Z in odd-numbered years. The renewal window opens in mid-July and closes September 30 of that assigned year, with no grace period after expiration ( Maryland Board of Physicians — 2026 Physician License Renewal Information ; Maryland Board of Physicians — Physician Renewals ). Because the Board issues a license as soon as an applicant meets requirements rather than on a fixed intake date, a newly licensed physician can land in either half of that two-year window — including, in principle, renewing their license the same calendar year they were first licensed. That compressed first cycle doesn't create a CME surprise, though: see below, the CME requirement itself doesn't start until a physician's second renewal.

A physician holding active, time-limited board certification from ABMS, the AOA, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (dated within 5 years of renewal) is exempt from the 50-hour requirement entirely ( COMAR 10.32.01.10 ).

Which CE topics are required for Maryland physicians?

Every physician must complete one-time training in implicit bias, and, beginning with a first renewal on or after April 1, 2026, one-time training in structural racism ( Maryland Board of Physicians — 2026 Renewal Information ). The Board does not specify a minimum number of hours for either one-time training. Check that your chosen course meets the applicable requirement.

A physician who holds a Maryland Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) registration through the Office of Controlled Substances Administration must separately complete a one-time 2-hour course on prescribing or dispensing of CDS ( Maryland Board of Physicians — OCSA FAQs ).

Physicians holding a DEA registration must also complete a one-time 8-hour DEA MATE Training on Opioid or Substance Use Disorder, per the federal MATE Act — not a Maryland Board mandate ( DEA Diversion Control Division — MATE Act Training FAQ ).

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

No. The Board applies the CME requirement starting with a physician's second renewal — no CME is owed at the first renewal after initial licensure ( COMAR 10.32.01.10 ).

Does the Maryland Board of Physicians audit CE records?

Yes. The Board randomly selects licensees for CME audit, and physicians who cannot document compliance face a penalty of $100 per missing credit hour. Documentation must be retained for 6 years ( Maryland Board of Physicians — Physician Renewals FAQ ).

Sources

Last verified: September 23, 2026

• Maryland Board of Physicians

• COMAR 10.32.01.10 — Continuing Medical Education

• COMAR 10.32.01 — chapter index (amendment history)

• Maryland Board of Physicians — Physician Renewals

• Maryland Board of Physicians — 2026 Physician License Renewal Information

• Maryland Board of Physicians — 2024 Physician License Renewal Information

• Maryland Board of Physicians — OCSA FAQs

• DEA Diversion Control Division — MATE Act Training FAQ