What are the CME requirements for medical doctors (MDs) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) in Kentucky?

Medical doctors (MDs) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) in Kentucky must complete 60 CME credits every three years. Of these, at least 30 credits must be Category 1 CME credits (AMA PRA Category 1, AOA Category 1-A, or AOA Category 1-B).

How many CME credits do physicians in Kentucky need to maintain licensure?

Kentucky requires physicians (MDs and DOs) to complete 60 total CME credits per three-year licensure cycle. A minimum of 30 credits must be in Category 1 CME.

How often do physicians in Kentucky need to renew their CME credits?

Physicians in Kentucky must renew their CME credits every three years, ensuring they complete 60 total credits within each cycle.

What are the CME requirements for controlled substance prescribing in Kentucky?

Any Kentucky-licensed physician authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances must complete at least 4.5 CME hours every three years. These hours must cover topics such as KASPER (Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting), pain management, and addiction disorders.

What are the CME requirements for addiction medicine in Kentucky?

Physicians with a DEA license to prescribe buprenorphine-containing medications must complete 12 CME hours in addiction medicine every three years.

Are there any one-time CME requirements for physicians in Kentucky?

Yes, Kentucky has two one-time CME requirements:Domestic Violence CME: All licensed physicians must complete a one-time CME course on domestic violence.Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma CME: Physicians practicing in pediatrics, radiology, family medicine, emergency medicine, or urgent care must complete 1 hour of CME on recognizing and preventing pediatric abusive head trauma.

Where can I find official information on Kentucky’s CME requirements?

For up-to-date details on Kentucky CME requirements, visit the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure website: https://kbml.ky.gov/.

Featured | Mar 20, 2025

Kentucky CME Requirements for Licensure

Q: What topics are included in Kentucky’s CME requirements for medical doctors and osteopathic physicians?

Kentucky’s CME requirements include:60 total CME credits every three yearsAt least 30 hours of Category 1 CME (AMA PRA Category 1, AOA Category 1-A, AOA Category 1-B)4.5 hours in controlled substance prescribing (for those authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances)12 hours in addiction medicine (for DEA-licensed prescribers of buprenorphine-containing medications)One-time CME requirements: Domestic violence and pediatric abusive head trauma (for certain specialists)

Stay on top of Kentucky’s CME requirements for licensure renewal. This guide highlights the key CME guidelines, including the 60 credits required every three years, special CME courses in controlled substance prescribing and addiction medicine, and one-time requirements like pediatric abuse head trauma. Track your progress using the CE app for a smooth experience.

Your Guide to Kentucky's CME Requirements for Licensure

As healthcare evolves, Kentucky’s CME requirements play a vital role in maintaining high standards in medical practice. In this dynamic field, where adaptability is key, Continuing Medical Education (CME) ensures healthcare providers stay informed and competent. This guide outlines Kentucky’s medical license CME requirements for medical license renewal, providing a clear path for practitioners to meet their obligations and thrive in a diverse and challenging healthcare landscape

Understanding Kentucky's CME Requirements

The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure oversees the licensure and regulation of physicians in the state, including the establishment of CME requirements. Here's a breakdown of the key requirements: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/201/009/310/

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Profession: Medical Doctor and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

Profession: Medical Doctor (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
CME Credits Required: 60
Licensure Cycle: Every three Years
Credit Type: AMA PRA Category 1 Credits are required.

30 credit hours of Category 1 CME (AMA PRA Category 1, AOA Category 1-A, and AOA Category 1-B) are required every 3 years.

Special CME Requirements:

Controlled Substance Prescribing - 4.5 credit hours every 3 years.
Addiction Medicine - 12 credit hours of category 1 CME every three years required by DEA-licensed prescribers of Bu-buprenorphine-Mono-Product or Buprenorphine-Combined-with- Naloxone.

One-time CME Requirements:

Domestic Violence credit hours are required.
Kentucky-Approved Paediatric Abusive Head Trauma- Radiologists and family practitioners must complete 1 credit hour in Kentucky-Approved Paediatric Abusive Head Trauma.

Original Source

General CME Requirement for Kentucky-Licensed Physicians

“In order to meet the continuing medical education requirements, a licensee shall:
(1) Submit evidence that thirty (30) of the sixty (60) hours were certified in Category I.”

Controlled Substance Prescribing CME Requirement

“A licensee who is authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances within the commonwealth at any time during that cycle shall complete at least four and one-half (4.5) hours of approved continuing education hours relating to the use of KASPER, pain management, addiction disorders, or a combination of two (2) or more of those subjects. “

Pediatric Abuse Head Trauma CME Requirement

“Each licensee practicing in the specialty of pediatrics, radiology, family medicine, or emergency medicine and each licensee practicing in an urgent care practice environment shall complete at least one (1) hour of continuing medical education regarding the recognition and prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma in a course approved by the board pursuant to KRS 620.020, prior to December 31, 2017, or within five (5) years of initial licensure.”

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

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60 Credits Every 3 years

0 more credits needed

60 Credits Every 3 years

0 more credits needed

30 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s), AAFP Prescribed Credit(s), Category 1 Credit(s) & Category 1 Every 3 years

0 more credits needed

30 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s), AAFP Prescribed Credit(s), Category 1 Credit(s) & Category 1 Every 3 years

0 more credits needed

4.5 Credits in Controlled Substance Prescribing Every 3 years

0 more credits needed

4.5 Credits in Controlled Substance Prescribing Every 3 years

0 more credits needed

3 Credits in Domestic Violence Every 3 years

0 more credits needed

1 Credits in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma Every 3 years

0 more credits needed

1 Credits in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma Every 3 years

0 more credits needed

Frequently
Asked
Questions

What are the CME requirements for medical doctors (MDs) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) in Kentucky?: Medical doctors (MDs) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) in Kentucky must complete 60 CME credits every three years. Of these, at least 30 credits must be Category 1 CME credits (AMA PRA Category 1, AOA Category 1-A, or AOA Category 1-B).
How many CME credits do physicians in Kentucky need to maintain licensure?: Kentucky requires physicians (MDs and DOs) to complete 60 total CME credits per three-year licensure cycle. A minimum of 30 credits must be in Category 1 CME.
What topics are included in Kentucky’s CME requirements for medical doctors and osteopathic physicians?: Kentucky’s CME requirements include:
60 total CME credits every three years
At least 30 hours of Category 1 CME (AMA PRA Category 1, AOA Category 1-A, AOA Category 1-B)
4.5 hours in controlled substance prescribing (for those authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances)
12 hours in addiction medicine (for DEA-licensed prescribers of buprenorphine-containing medications)
One-time CME requirements: Domestic violence and pediatric abusive head trauma (for certain specialists)
How often do physicians in Kentucky need to renew their CME credits?: Physicians in Kentucky must renew their CME credits every three years, ensuring they complete 60 total credits within each cycle.
What are the CME requirements for controlled substance prescribing in Kentucky?: Any Kentucky-licensed physician authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances must complete at least 4.5 CME hours every three years. These hours must cover topics such as KASPER (Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting), pain management, and addiction disorders.
What are the CME requirements for addiction medicine in Kentucky?: Physicians with a DEA license to prescribe buprenorphine-containing medications must complete 12 CME hours in addiction medicine every three years.
Are there any one-time CME requirements for physicians in Kentucky?: Yes, Kentucky has two one-time CME requirements:
Domestic Violence CME: All licensed physicians must complete a one-time CME course on domestic violence.
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma CME: Physicians practicing in pediatrics, radiology, family medicine, emergency medicine, or urgent care must complete 1 hour of CME on recognizing and preventing pediatric abusive head trauma.
Where can I find official information on Kentucky’s CME requirements?: For up-to-date details on Kentucky CME requirements, visit the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure website: https://kbml.ky.gov/.

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Your Guide to Kentucky's CME Requirements for Licensure

Understanding Kentucky's CME Requirements

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

Profession: Medical Doctor and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

Original Source

General CME Requirement for Kentucky-Licensed Physicians

Controlled Substance Prescribing CME Requirement

Pediatric Abuse Head Trauma CME Requirement

Track Your Progress on CE App

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