Maryland Medical Doctor CME Package: 50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits

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