Continuing Medical Education - Audit and Waiver Information
Audit
The Division of Licensing of the Medical Board of California is required by law to conduct an annual audit of physicians who have certified compliance with the Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements by signing the CME certification statement on their last license renewal notice.
California law requires all licensed physicians to complete an average of at least 25 hours of approved Category 1 or other acceptable CME each calendar year for a total of 100 approved hours every four years as a condition of renewal. As stated in Section 1338 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), it constitutes unprofessional conduct for any physician to misrepresent compliance with CME requirements.
Each physician is obligated to fulfill the CME requirements and maintain documentation for a minimum of four years. These records must include course title, dates of attendance, number of credit hours received, and sponsoring/accrediting agency. These records may be needed if audited by the Division of Licensing.
Waiver
Any physician who is unable to complete the minimum CME requirements due to health, military service or undue hardship may request a CME waiver. Any physician who submits an application for a CME waiver which is denied by the Division will be allowed to renew his/her license one time; however you will be required to make up the deficient hours over your next renewal period and document to the Board 150 CME hours by the end of that renewal period.
To request a CME waiver application form, please contact the Consumer Information Unit at (916) 263-2382. For further information concerning CME and the renewal of your license, please contact the CME Coordinator at (916) 263-2645.
A physician should request a waiver approximately three months prior to license expiration. All requests are reviewed on an individual basis, and may be subject to verification of the physician's inability to comply.
