Washington Medical Doctor CME

How many CE hours do Washington physicians need?

Washington physicians need 200 hours of CME every four years. The license itself renews every two years on the physician's birthday ( WAC 246-919-990 ; WAC 246-12-030 ), but no CME is owed at the first renewal after initial licensure — the full 200-hour attestation isn't due until the second renewal, roughly four years later, and hours accumulate across that whole window ( WMC — Physician CME Frequently Asked Questions ; WAC 246-919-430 ).

Category I (ACCME- or WSMA-accredited) hours may make up the entire 200-hour total with no cap; Categories II through V (non-accredited attendance, teaching, publications, and self-directed activities, respectively) are each individually capped at 80 hours ( WAC 246-919-460 ). Current certification or recertification by an American Board of Medical Specialties-approved specialty board, obtained within the four-year cycle, is also accepted as the full equivalent of the 200-hour requirement ( WAC 246-919-430 ).

Which CE topics are required for Washington physicians?

Every physician must complete 2 hours of health equity CME each four-year cycle ( WAC 246-919-445 ; RCW 43.70.613 ).

Every physician must also complete a one-time 6-hour suicide assessment, treatment and management training (or 3 hours if limited to screening and referral, using Commission-approved content), by the end of the first full CME reporting period after initial licensure; physicians with only brief, limited, or no patient contact are exempt ( WAC 246-919-435 ; RCW 43.70.442 ).

A physician who prescribes opioids must also complete a one-time 1-hour opioid prescribing training, by the end of the first full CME reporting period after initial licensure ( WAC 246-919-875 ).

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 Washington Commission mandate ( DEA Diversion Control Division — MATE Act Training FAQ ).

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

No. No CME attestation is due at a physician's first (two-year) license renewal; the first 200-hour CME attestation isn't due until the second license renewal, roughly four years after initial licensure ( WMC — Physician CME Frequently Asked Questions ; WAC 246-919-430 ).

Does the Washington Medical Commission audit CE records?

Yes. Physicians attest to compliance at renewal, must retain documentation for at least four years, and the Commission audits up to 25% of renewals under a general Department of Health rule, giving physicians 60 days to produce records if selected; excess hours do not carry forward to the next cycle ( WMC — Physician CME Frequently Asked Questions ; WAC 246-12-190 ).

Sources

Last verified: September 23, 2026

• Washington Medical Commission

• WMC — Physician CME Requirements

• WMC — Physician CME Frequently Asked Questions

• WAC 246-919-421 — Two-Year License Renewal Cycle

• WAC 246-919-990 — Physician and Surgeon Fees and Renewal Cycle

• WAC 246-12-030 — Credential Renewal and Expiration Dates

• WAC 246-919-430 — Requirements for Maintenance of Licensure

• WAC 246-919-460 — CME Categories and Caps

• WAC 246-919-445 — Health Equity CME

• RCW 43.70.613 — Health Equity Continuing Education

• WAC 246-919-435 — Suicide Assessment Training

• RCW 43.70.442 — Suicide Assessment, Treatment, and Management Training

• WAC 246-919-875 — Opioid Prescribing Training

• WAC 246-919-480 — Retired Active License CME Requirements

• WAC 246-12-190 — Continuing Education Audit

• DEA Diversion Control Division — MATE Act Training FAQ