California Physicians CE Requirements, Accreditations & Approvals

California Physicians

In support of improving patient care, NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

The Medical Board of California accepts courses from any provider who is ACCME-accredited and awards AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

The Osteopathic Medical Board of California accepts courses that are AOA Category 2-B. NetCE courses are considered AOA Category 2-B.

Continuing Education Requirement

MDs are required 50 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ every two years. Requirements include:

• Physicians are required 12 hours one-time only in pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients. Effective January 1, 2019, pain management must also include the risks of addiction associated with Schedule II controlled substances. Effective January 1, 2020, physicians have a second option of 12 hours one-time only on the treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients, which includes 8 hours in buprenorphine treatment, or other similar medicinal treatment for opioid use disorders. One-time mandatory continuing education course work must be completed within four years of licensure or by your second renewal, whichever comes first. (CA BPC rules 2190.5 eff 1/1/2019 and 2190.6 eff 1/1/2020)
• General internists and family physicians who have a patient population 25% or more of which is at least 65 years of age, are to complete at least 20% of their mandatory CME in the field of geriatric medicine, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients. (CA SB-639 signed 9/21/2024, CA AB-2270 signed 9/27/2024 eff 1/1/2025)
• Physicians who hold a Radiology Supervisor and Operator Certificate, or a Radiography or Dermatology Supervisor and Operator Permit, are required 10 hours regarding the application of x-ray to the human body to renew their certification or permit.
• Fluoroscopy Supervisors and Operators are required 10 hours regarding the application of x-ray to the human body, 4 of which must be in radiation safety for the clinical use of Fluoroscopy.

Beginning with DEA initial registrations or renewals starting June 27, 2023, all DEA-registered practitioners (with the exception of DVM-only license holders) are required 8 hours on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders, including the appropriate clinical use of all FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of a substance use disorder, one-time only.

DOs Effective January 1, 2022, osteopathic physicians are required 50 hours every two years, 20 hours of which must be AOA Category 1A or 1B credit, and a maximum 30 hours of which may be AOA Category 2B credit.* Requirements include:

• Physicians are required 12 hours one-time only in pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients. Effective January 1, 2019, pain management must also include the risks of addiction associated with Schedule II controlled substances. Effective January 1, 2020, physicians have a second option of 12 hours one-time only on the treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients, which includes 8 hours in buprenorphine treatment, or other similar medicinal treatment for opioid use disorders. One-time mandatory continuing education course work must be completed within four years of licensure or by your second renewal, whichever comes first. (CA BPC rules 2190.5 eff 1/1/2019 and 2190.6 eff 1/1/2020)
• Osteopathic physicians and surgeons must complete a course on the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs as a condition for renewal of an active license.
• General internists and family physicians who have a patient population 25% or more of which is at least 65 years of age, are to complete at least 20% of their mandatory CME in the field of geriatric medicine, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients. (CA SB-639 signed 9/21/2024, CA AB-2270 signed 9/27/2024 eff 1/1/2025)
• Physicians who hold a Radiology Supervisor and Operator Certificate, or a Radiography or Dermatology Supervisor and Operator Permit, are required 10 hours regarding the application of x-ray to the human body to renew their certification or permit.
• Fluoroscopy Supervisors and Operators are required 10 hours regarding the application of x-ray to the human body, 4 of which must be in radiation safety for the clinical use of Fluoroscopy.

Beginning with DEA initial registrations or renewals starting June 27, 2023, all DEA-registered practitioners (with the exception of DVM-only license holders) are required 8 hours on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders, including the appropriate clinical use of all FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of a substance use disorder, one-time only.

* NetCE courses are considered Category 2B.

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For More Information

Please contact the Medical Board of California at (800) 633-2322, or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California at (916) 928-8390, or refer to https://www.mbc.ca.gov/Licensing/Physicians-and-Surgeons/Renew/Current-Status/Continuing-Medical-Education.aspx - MDs; or https://www.ombc.ca.gov/licensees/cme.pdf - DOs; for additional information regarding your continuing education.