Continuing Medical Education - Audit and Waiver Information
Audit
The Licensing Program of the Medical Board of California is required by law to conduct
an annual audit of physicians who have certified compliance with Continuing Medical
Education (CME) requirements by signing the CME certification statement on their
last license renewal notice.
California law requires all licensed physicians as a condition of renewal to complete
not fewer than 50 hours of approved Category 1 or other acceptable CME during each
two-year period immediately preceding the expiration date of the license. As stated
in Section 1338 of Title 16, 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 Licensing Program.
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 that is denied by the Board will be allowed
to renew his/her license one time; however, he/she will be required to make up the
deficient hours over his/her next renewal period and document to the Board 100 CME
hours by the end of that renewal period.
To request a CME waiver application form, please contact the Consumer Information
Unit at 1-800-633-2322. 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.
