CME for Licensure

The process of obtaining a medical license--either initial licensure or a second or subsequent license in another state--can be a challenging process. To help physicians navigate the licensure process and to provide up-to-date information on licensure requirements across all states and jurisdictions, the AMA publishes annually State Medical Licensure Requirements and Statistics. This reference includes data tables on required examinations, training, education (both graduate medical education and continuing medical education), and fees. Data are broken out for US medical school graduates as well as for international medical graduates (IMGs). Also included are data on the numbers of initial and subsequent licenses awarded by state as well as information on key organizations involved in the licensure process, such as the Federation of State Medical Boards, National Board of Medical Examiners, and Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, as shown below.

In addition, the book includes 33 tables on licensure regulations and statistics, broken out on a state-by-state basis. One of the most commonly requested tables is Table 16: State Medical/Osteopathic Board Regulations on Continuing Medical Education for Licensure Reregistration.

Sixty-two boards require continuing medical education (CME) for license reregistration. Some states also mandate CME content, such as HIV/AIDS, risk management, or end of life palliative care. In addition, many states also require that a certain percentage of CME be AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ or equivalent. Forty-three states accept the AMA PRA certificate or application as equivalent for purposes of licensure reregistration. Also accepted by some states are certificates/awards of the American Osteopathic Association (15), American Board of Medical Specialties (27), a state medical society (11), and a
national specialty society (6) as well as completion of graduate medical education residency/fellowship programs (34).

Note: Data shown in this table were supplied by state medical and osteopathic licensing boards via the AMA's annual Medical Licensure Survey.