12 Mandatory Hours
38 Elective Hours
50 Total Hours
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Here's what you need to renew your California Physician license

The information below is a summary of the minimum requirements set forth by the Medical Board of California. For a more detailed requirements breakdown, please see the board's site.
If you hold Physician licenses in multiple states, please make sure to check each state's requirements.

California Physician: DO (Continuing Education)

Total Hours Required: 50
Mandatory Hours: 12
Elective Hours: 38
Renewal Cycle in Months: 24
License Expiration Date: Varies
Next Education Due Date: Varies

Online Info

Renewal CE Requirements

Osteopathic Physicians
California DOs must complete 50 hours every renewal period (biennial), including a minimum of 20 hours of AOA Category 1-A or 1-B; up to 30 hours may be AOA Category 2-A or 2-B.

Elite Learning courses are considered AOA Category 2-B.

Mandatory CE Topics

Schedule II Drug Addiction Risks
DOs must complete a course addressing the risks of addiction associated with Schedule II drugs as a condition of renewal.

Course option: Palliative Care and Pain Management at the End of Life

One-Time Requirements

Pain Management and End-of-Life Care, or Opioid-Use-Disorder Treatment
California physicians must complete 12 hours, one time, within four years of initial licensure or by their second renewal (whichever occurs first), covering either (1) pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients, including the risks of addiction associated with Schedule II drugs, or (2) the treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients, including at least 8 hours on buprenorphine or similar medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Pathologists and radiologists are exempt.

Course option: Palliative Care and Pain Management at the End of Life

Practice-Based or Conditional Requirements

Geriatric Medicine CE
DOs whose patient population is 25% or more age 65 or older must complete at least 20% of mandatory CME in geriatric medicine, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients.

Course option: Alzheimer Disease

Radiology, Radiography, or Dermatology Permit Holders
Physicians who hold a Radiology Supervisor and Operator Certificate, or a Radiography or Dermatology Supervisor and Operator Permit, must complete 10 hours of CE on the application of x-ray to the human body for permit renewal.

Course option: Safe Clinical Use of Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy Permit Holders
Physicians who hold a Fluoroscopy Supervisor and Operator Permit must complete 10 hours of CE on the application of x-ray to the human body for permit renewal, including at least 4 hours in radiation safety for the clinical use of fluoroscopy.

Course option: Safe Clinical Use of Fluoroscopy

Federal Requirements

DEA MATE Act Requirement
DEA-registered practitioners, except those who are solely veterinarians, must complete an 8-hour training on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders. This applies one time to DEA registrations or renewals submitted on or after June 27, 2023.

Course option: Substance Use Disorders: A DEA Requirement

Regulatory Disclaimer: This information is for general reference only. Requirements may change; confirm current CE requirements, course acceptance, and renewal deadlines directly with the applicable licensing board.

Roster

No roster required

Governing Agency

Name: Medical Board of California
Phone: 8006332322
Fax:
Address: 2005 Evergreen Street Sacramento, 95815

California Physician: MD (Continuing Education)

Total Hours Required: 50
Mandatory Hours: 12
Elective Hours: 38
Renewal Cycle in Months: 24
License Expiration Date: Varies
Next Education Due Date: Varies

Online Info

Mandatory CE Topics

Implicit Bias in the Practice of Medicine
Effective January 1, 2020, all California MD continuing education must include curriculum addressing the understanding of implicit bias in the practice of medicine.

One-Time Requirements

Pain Management and End-of-Life Care, or Opioid-Use-Disorder Treatment
California physicians must complete 12 hours, one time, within four years of initial licensure or by their second renewal (whichever occurs first), covering either (1) pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients, including the risks of addiction associated with Schedule II drugs, or (2) the treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients, including at least 8 hours on buprenorphine or similar medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Pathologists and radiologists are exempt.

Course option: Palliative Care and Pain Management at the End of Life

Practice-Based or Conditional Requirements

Geriatric Medicine CE
Physicians whose patient population is 25% or more age 65 or older must complete at least 20% of mandatory CME in geriatric medicine, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients.

Course option: Alzheimer Disease

Radiology, Radiography, or Dermatology Permit Holders
Physicians who hold a Radiology Supervisor and Operator Certificate, or a Radiography or Dermatology Supervisor and Operator Permit, must complete 10 hours of CE on the application of x-ray to the human body for permit renewal.

Course option: Safe Clinical Use of Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy Permit Holders
Physicians who hold a Fluoroscopy Supervisor and Operator Permit must complete 10 hours of CE on the application of x-ray to the human body for permit renewal, including at least 4 hours in radiation safety for the clinical use of fluoroscopy.

Course option: Safe Clinical Use of Fluoroscopy

Federal Requirements

DEA MATE Act Requirement
DEA-registered practitioners, except those who are solely veterinarians, must complete an 8-hour training on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders. This applies one time to DEA registrations or renewals submitted on or after June 27, 2023.

Course option: Substance Use Disorders: A DEA Requirement

Regulatory Disclaimer: This information is for general reference only. Requirements may change; confirm current CE requirements, course acceptance, and renewal deadlines directly with the applicable licensing board.

Roster

No roster required

Governing Agency

Name: Medical Board of California
Phone: 8006332322
Fax:
Address: 2005 Evergreen Street Sacramento, 95815

California Physician: PA (Continuing Education)

Total Hours Required: 50
Mandatory Hours: 10
Elective Hours: 40
Renewal Cycle in Months: 24
License Expiration Date: Varies
Next Education Due Date: Varies

Online Info

Mandatory CE Topics

Geriatric Medicine CE
Effective January 1, 2025, PAs who provide primary care to a patient population that is 25% or more age 65 or older must certify completion of at least 20% of mandatory CE hours in geriatric medicine, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients.

Course option: Alzheimer Disease

Practice-Based or Conditional Requirements

Controlled Substance Prescriptive Authority
PAs with controlled substance prescriptive authority must complete 6 hours, one time, including 3 hours specific to Schedule II controlled substances and content on the risks of addiction associated with Schedule II drugs.

Fluoroscopy Permit Holders
PAs issued a fluoroscopy permit must complete 10 hours of CE on the application of x-ray to the human body every 2 years, including at least 4 hours in radiation safety for the clinical use of fluoroscopy.

Course option: Safe Clinical Use of Fluoroscopy

Federal Requirements

DEA MATE Act Requirement
DEA-registered practitioners, except those who are solely veterinarians, must complete an 8-hour training on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders. This applies one time to DEA registrations or renewals submitted on or after June 27, 2023.

Course option: Substance Use Disorders: A DEA Requirement

Regulatory Disclaimer: This information is for general reference only. Requirements may change; confirm current CE requirements, course acceptance, and renewal deadlines directly with the applicable licensing board.

Roster

No roster required

Governing Agency

Name: Medical Board of California
Phone: 8006332322
Fax:
Address: 2005 Evergreen Street Sacramento, 95815

Good to know

Other facts and insights about completing your CE

Note: This license renewal information is provided as a convenience only and is subject to change at any time. It's ultimately the responsibility of the licensee to be sure that he or she is meeting all requirements for each license and corresponding renewal period.