Featured | Mar 12, 2025

Florida CME Requirements for Licensure

Florida requires 40 CME credits every two years for MDs and DOs, including courses on medical errors, domestic violence, controlled substance prescribing, and HIV/AIDS. Special first renewal and one-time CME requirements also apply for both professions.

Blog post image

Florida’s CME Requirements for Licensure

As healthcare advances, Florda’s CME requirements serve as a cornerstone in upholding high standards in medical practice. In this dynamic field, where progress is constant, Continuing Medical Education (CME) ensures healthcare providers remain at the forefront of medical knowledge. This guide explores Florida's CME requirements for medical license renewal, offering healthcare practitioners a roadmap to meet their obligations and excel in a demanding, innovative environment.

Understanding Florida's CME Requirements:

As the Sunshine State continues to prioritize excellence in healthcare, the Florida Board of Medicine has established rigorous yet vital guidelines to ensure that medical professionals stay up to date with the latest advancements in patient care. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements. https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=64B8-13 https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=64B15-13


Here's How Your CE Tracking Progress Looks on the CE App 

Your credential requirements

Florida MD

Due: 31 Dec, 2025

0%

progress

Track your progress on CE App for free!

Manage continuing education in the CE App and track your your requirements today.

40 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s), Category 1 Credit(s) & Category 1 Every 2 years
0 more credits needed
2 Credits in FL Medical Errors Every 2 years
0 more credits needed
2 Credits in Domestic Violence Every 6 years
0 more credits needed
2 Credits in Controlled Substance Prescribing Every 2 years
0 more credits needed
2 Credits in FL Medical Errors Every 2 years
0 more credits needed
1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s), AOA Category 1-A, Category I, Category 1 Credit(s) & Category 1 in HIV/AIDS Every 2 years
0 more credits needed

Profession: Medical Doctor

  • Profession: Medical Doctor (MD)
  • CME Credits Required: 40
  • Licensure Cycle: Every Two Years

Special CME Requirements:

  • Medical Errors:2 credit hours shall be in Medical Errors every 2 years. The course must include information regarding the 5 most misdiagnosed conditions.
  • Domestic Violence: 2 credit hours every 6 years.
  •  Controlled Substance Prescribing: 2 credit every 2 years for registered DEA prescribers.

First renewal requirements:

  • Medical Errors: 2 AMA PRA Category 1 credit hours on the first renewal of the license.
  • HIV/AIDS: 1 AMA Category 1 credit hour (AMA PRA Category 1, AMA PRA Category 2 ) shall be in HIV/AIDS.

Profession: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

  • Profession:  Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
  • CME Credits Required: 40
  • Licensure Cycle: Every Two Years
  • Credit Type: Out of the total credits, 20 must be in  AOA Category 1-A.

Special CME Requirements

  • Medical Errors: 2 credit hours every 2 years.
  • Florida Laws and Rules & Professional and Medical Ethics: 1 credit hour shall be every 2 years.
  •  Controlled Substance Prescribing: 2 credit hours every 2 years if you are a registered prescriber with the DEA.
  • Domestic Violence: 2 every 3rd biennium.

First renewal CME requirement

  • 1 hour of HIV/AIDS is required for the first license renewal.

One-time CME requirement

  • 1 hour of Human Trafficking is required one-time only.

Original Source 

General CME Requirement for Alaska-Licensed Physicians

“(1) Every physician licensed pursuant to Chapter 458, F.S., shall be required to complete 40 hours of continuing medical education courses approved by the Board in the 24 months preceding each biennial renewal period as established by the Department.”
For DOS-) “At least twenty (20) of the forty (40) hours of the continuing medical education required under this rule shall be American Osteopathic Association approved Category I-A .”

Domestic Violence Requirements:

“(a) As part of every third biennial renewal licensure period, all licensees shall complete two (2) hours of training in domestic violence.”

First Renewal Requirement:

“Upon a licensee’s first renewal of licensure, the licensee must document the completion of one (1) hour of Category I American Medical Association Continuing Medical Education which includes the topics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.”

Medical Error Requirements:

“(c) Completion of two hours of continuing medical education relating to prevention of medical errors.”

Controlled Substance Requirement:

“(d) A licensee who is registered with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and is authorized to prescribe controlled substances is required to complete a 2-hour course on prescribing controlled substances at each biennial renewal of licensure as required by Section 456.0301, F.S. “

Florida Laws and Rules Requirement:

For DOs- “a) For each biennial renewal, a licensee shall complete a one (1) hour continuing medical education course in Florida Laws and Rules/Professional .“


More information on Florida CME requirements for physicians on the state medical board


Track Your Progress on CE App

Supercharge your Continuing Medical Education with our cutting-edge CE App. Stay ahead of the curve, effortlessly track your CME credits, and access high-quality courses tailored to your specialization.

Frequently
Asked
Questions

Medical Doctors (MDs) in Florida must complete 40 CME credits every two years to maintain their licensure. Specific CME topics, such as medical errors and controlled substance prescribing, are also required.


 

  • Medical Errors: 2 credit hours every 2 years, covering the five most misdiagnosed conditions.
  • Domestic Violence: 2 credit hours every six years.
  • Controlled Substance Prescribing: 2 credit hours every two years for DEA-registered prescribers.
  • First Renewal:
    • 2 AMA PRA Category 1 credit hours in Medical Errors.
    • 1 AMA Category 1 credit hour in HIV/AIDS.

DOs in Florida must complete 40 CME credits every two years. Of these, at least 20 hours must be in AOA Category 1-A credits.

  • Medical Errors: 2 credit hours every two years.
  • Florida Laws, Rules & Professional Medical Ethics: 1 credit hour every two years.
  • Controlled Substance Prescribing: 2 credit hours every two years for DEA-registered prescribers.
  • Domestic Violence: 2 credit hours every third biennium (six years).
  • First Renewal Requirement: 1 hour of HIV/AIDS education.

One-Time Requirement: 1 hour of Human Trafficking training.

Both MDs and DOs in Florida must renew their CME credits every two years as part of their biennial licensure renewal. Some courses, like Domestic Violence, are required every third biennium.


 

Yes, while both require 40 CME credits per renewal cycle, DOs must complete at least 20 AOA Category 1-A credits, while MDs do not have this specific requirement. Additionally, DOs must take Florida Laws and Rules/Professional Ethics CME, which is not required for MDs.


 

Yes, both MDs and DOs must complete 1 hour of Human Trafficking training, which is a one-time requirement and does not need renewal.


 

For the most up-to-date requirements, visit the Florida Board of Medicine (64B8-13) for MDs or the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine (64B15-13) for DOs.

 

Ready for simplified continuing education?