You’ve landed a choice assignment in a dream location – the spot you’ve always wished for. In fact, the state’s been on your bucket list since you started at Barton Associates.
In order to obtain a state license, you’ll need to have not only enough continuing medical education (CME) hours, but also the right courses.
Here’s a rundown of the number of CMEs needed for licensure for each state. Some requirements may be waived if you’re applying for a temporary license in states where that’s an option. If you click on the state you can read the specifics on types of CMEs that are acceptable (AMA Category 1, AOA Category 1 or 2, etc.). Additional information including the requirement to have CMEs in special topics (opiate prescribing, infectious disease, end-of-life care, etc.) can also be found. Remember, many states offer online courses on these topics or provide links to courses on their websites.
Ready to learn more? The information is displayed in order of state, hours, and special topics needed.
CME Requirements by State
Alabama – 25/year – Yes
Alaska – 25/year – Yes
Arizona (see page 6) – 40/2 years – Yes
Arkansas – 20/year – Yes
California – 50/2 years – Yes
Colorado has no CME requirements for physicians.
Connecticut – 50/2 years – Yes
Delaware (see section 12.0) – 40/2 years – Yes
District of Columbia – 50/2 years – Yes
Florida – 40/2 years – Yes
Georgia (see number 17) – 40/2 years – No
Hawaii – 40/2 years – No
Idaho – 40/2 years – No
Illinois – 150/3 years – No
Indiana – 2/2 years – Yes
Iowa – 40/2 years – Yes
Kansas – 50/year – No
Kentucky – 60/3 years – Yes
Louisiana – 20/year – Yes
Maine – 100/2 years – Yes
Maryland – 50/2 years – Yes
Massachusetts – 50/2 years – Yes
Michigan – 150/3 years – Yes
Minnesota – 75/3 year – No
Mississippi (see page 25/138) – 40/2 years – Yes
Missouri (see page 13/26) – 50/2 years – Yes
Montana has no CME requirements for physicians.
Nebraska – 50/2 years – No
Nevada – 40/2 years – Yes
New Hampshire – 100/2 years – Yes
New Jersey – 100/2 years – Yes
New Mexico – 75/3 years – No
New York has no CME requirement, but physicians must attend mandated training on infection control every four years.
North Carolina – 60/3 years – Yes
North Dakota – 60/3 years – No
Ohio – 100/2 years – Yes
Oklahoma – 60/3 years – No
Oregon – 60/2 years – Yes
Pennsylvania – 100/2 years – Yes
Rhode Island – 40/2 years – Yes
South Carolina – 40/2 years – Yes
South Dakota has CME requirements for physicians
Tennessee – 40/2 years – Yes
Texas – 48/2 years – Yes
Utah – 40/2 years – Yes
Vermont – 30/2 years – Yes
Virginia – 60/2 years – Yes
Washington – 200/4 years – Yes
West Virginia – 50/2 years – Yes
Wisconsin – 30/2 years – No
Wyoming – 60/3 years – No
If you need additional general CME credits to satisfy licensure requirements for your next locum tenens assignment, you just need to decide whether online or live CME meetings are best for you.
Weighing your options:
Online classes offer many benefits including:
Convenience:
– As an anesthesiologist, I chose the online route because I could complete a course during down time waiting for an operating room case to start. And for anyone with a commute, similar to listening to a podcast, you can listen to a class to fill the time.
– Gone are the days of using precious vacation days to clock in hours at expensive work-related conferences.
Cost-Saving:
– Online classes tend to be less than in-person.
– Conferences are extremely expensive when you factor in the cost of hotels, airfare, meals, and the tuition for attending an in-person conference.
Attending in-person conferences are a great option too. You can:
Network – Despite the higher cost, it allows for networking, learning from colleagues, and the opportunity to speak with the presenters and experts in your field. This exchange of information isn’t possible with an online course.
Attend workshops – Some in-person courses have workshops to practice skills. While you can watch a video to learn a new technique, nothing beats a hands-on experience with an instructor to guide you through the procedure.
Remove yourself from distractions – Many conferences are held at nice resorts. You can focus all your attention while attending the conference, step outside at the end of the lectures, and enjoy the hotel’s amenities.
Catch up with peers – A final bonus to attending conferences is the chance to catch up with colleagues you’ve met in your travels. As a locum tenens physician, you will have made many friends along the way.
Obtaining a new state license can be a long, tedious task. Understanding the CME requirements for the state you are getting licensed in is a great way to be proactive and hopefully help you get your license sooner.
For more state-level information, be sure to check out the Barton Associates State Travel Guide pages!
