Your Guide to Washington's CME Requirements for Licensure
As healthcare advances, Washington’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 Washington's CME requirements for medical license renewal, offering healthcare practitioners a roadmap to meet their obligations and excel in a demanding, innovative environment.
Understanding Washington's CME Requirements
Washington's CME requirements are designed to ensure that healthcare professionals maintain competency and stay current with advancements in medical knowledge and practice. The Washington State Medical Commission oversees licensure and sets forth the CME requirements for various healthcare practitioners, including physicians, physician assistants, osteopathic physicians, and others. Here’s the breakdown of the key requirements-https://wmc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/documents/657-128.pdf
https://wmc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/documents/657-127.pdf
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Profession: Medical Doctor (MD)
Profession: Medical Doctor (MD)
CME Credits Required: 200
Licensure Cycle: Every four Years
Credit Type: AMA PRA Category 1 Credits are required.
Special CME Requirements:
- Suicide Prevention: 6 credit hours are required.
- Opioids and Pain Management: :1 credit hour is required.
Profession: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Profession: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
CME Credits Required: 150
Licensure Cycle: Every three Years
Special CME Requirements:
- 60 credit hours shall be in Category 1 CMEs ( AMA PRA Category 1 and AOA Category 1-A) every 3 years.
One-time requirements
- Washington Suicide Prevention Training: 6 credit hours are required.
- Controlled Substance Prescribing: 1 credit hour required by Washington opioid prescribers
Original Source
General CME Requirement for MDs
“Licensed physicians must complete two hundred hours of continuing education every four years as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7. “
“Beginning July 1, 2017, healthcare professionals required to complete a suicide prevention training must select a course from the Washington Model List. Starting July 2021, the following healthcare professions must take an advanced six-hour training for their second six-year continuing education requirement:
- psychologists
- marriage and family therapists
- mental health counselors
- advanced social workers
- independent clinical social workers
- social worker associates-advanced
- social worker associates-independent”
General CME Requirement for DOs
- “Licensed osteopathic physicians must report 150 hours of continuing education every three years. See WAC 246-853-070 and WAC 246-853-080 for content requirements and more information.
- Licensed osteopathic physicians must take a one-time training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. See WAC 246-863-065 for more information.
- Licensed osteopathic physicians must take a one-time continuing education course regarding best practices in the prescribing of opioids and the current opioid prescribing rules. See WAC 246-853-685 for more information.”
More information on Washington CME requirements for physicians on the state medical board
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