Last verified against the sources below. Requirements change — confirm with your Board before you rely on this page. This is general information, not legal advice.

At a glance: MD (medical doctor)

Hours
50 hours every 2 years
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Deadline
December 31 of even-numbered years (the license lapses after that date; there is no grace period to practice)
Required topics
1
Hours carry over
No
First renewal
The renewal application prorates the general hours by when your license was first issued: issued in the first year of the two-year period, 25 hours; issued in the second year, no general hours. The 2 hours in pain management and opioid use and addiction are still required at every renewal (unless you hold no DEA registration). A license issued for the full period needs all 50.
Reporting
You sign a statement of compliance on the renewal application (12 AAC 40.220(a)). The Board audits a percentage of renewals at random; if selected, you send certificates or other proof after renewal. Physicians who use the ACCME's Program and Activity Reporting System (PARS) may let staff verify their hours there instead (optional). Keep CME records for at least four years (renewal form; 12 AAC 02.960). A false statement found on audit is treated as obtaining a license by misrepresentation (12 AAC 40.220(c)). If illness or other extenuating circumstances kept you from finishing, you may request an extension on the renewal application under a memorandum of agreement (12 AAC 40.200(b), 40.240); AS 08.64.312(c) caps exemptions at 15 hours in five years.
Board
Alaska State Medical Board

The Division's renewal application (form 08-0077, rev. July 31, 2025) says licenses are issued for two years and expire on December 31 of even-numbered years regardless of the issue date; a license issued within 90 days of that date runs to the next one. 12 AAC 40.200(a)(1) requires an average of 25 credit hours for each year of the previous license period, so 50 hours for a full period; only hours awarded within the period count (the current period is January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026). Hours do not carry over.

Deadline

Find your Alaska MD deadline and add it to your calendar

Required topics

Credit that counts

  • AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™12 AAC 40.210(a)(1): credit hours in a Category I continuing medical education program accredited by the American Medical Association.
  • AOA Category 1-A12 AAC 40.210(a)(2): Category I or II continuing medical education hours accredited by the American Osteopathic Association. The rule applies to every licensee, MD or DO.
  • AOA Category 1-B12 AAC 40.210(a)(2) accepts AOA Category I or II, which includes 1-B. The renewal form's attestation wording says 'Category 1 AMA-, AOA-, or CPME-approved education'.
  • AAFP Prescribed credit Confirm with your BoardNot named in 12 AAC 40.210 or on the renewal form, which list only AMA Category I, AOA Category I or II, and CPME-approved providers. AAFP Prescribed credit counts only if the activity is also certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit; confirm with the Board.

Facts marked “Confirm with your Board” are unsettled in the sources; the note says what to check.

What to do next

Sources

  1. Alaska Statutes 08.64.312 — Continuing education requirements
  2. 12 AAC 40.200 to 40.240 — Continuing medical education (State Medical Board regulations)
  3. Alaska State Medical Board — Medical License Renewal Application, form 08-0077 (rev. July 31, 2025)
  4. Alaska State Medical Board — Minutes, May 15, 2026 meeting (proposed CME regulation changes)

Last verified October 7, 2026. Confirm with your Board: requirements change, and the Board's rules decide.