Arizona physician (MD and DO) CME requirements for license renewal

Arizona has two physician licensing boards. MDs are licensed by the Arizona Medical Board; DOs are licensed by the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine and Surgery. Both require 40 hours every two years, but they renew on different dates and accept different credit.

The short version

Requirement	MD (Arizona Medical Board)	DO (Osteopathic Board)
Total CME	40 hours in the two calendar years before renewal	40 hours in the two years before renewal
Credit rules	Category 1 from an ACCME-accredited provider, plus teaching, publishing, self-study and similar activities	At least 24 hours AOA Category 1-A; no more than 16 hours AMA Category 1
Opioid, substance use disorder or addiction CME (within the 40)	3 hours every renewal	3 hours every renewal
Who needs the opioid hours	Schedule II prescribers with a DEA registration	Schedule II prescribers with a DEA registration
License due	Your birthday, every other year	December 31 of even- or odd-numbered years, depending on your license

How many hours, and what kind

MDs

A.R.S. 32-1434 requires CME, and Board rule R4-16-102 sets it at 40 credit hours "during the two calendar years preceding biennial registration." One credit hour equals one clock hour. Hours do not carry over to the next cycle.

The rule accepts a wide range of activities:

• education programs certified as Category 1 by an organization accredited by the ACCME, and other programs offered by ACCME-accredited organizations;
• internships, residencies and fellowships, advanced-degree programs and full-time research at institutions approved by the AMA, the AAMC or the AOA;
• teaching medical students, house staff, physicians or allied health professionals;
• publishing or presenting a paper, report or book;
• self-instruction, reading scientific literature, preparing for board certification and committee work.

There is no minimum number of Category 1 hours. AAFP Prescribed credit is not named, but the rule accepts programs offered by ACCME-accredited organizations and the AAFP is one. AOA credit is not named for CME. If most of your hours are AAFP Prescribed or AOA credit, confirm with the Board.

DOs

A.R.S. 32-1825 requires at least 40 clock hours of Board-approved CME in the two years before renewal. Rule R4-22-207 sets the mix:

• at least 24 hours of CME the AOA classifies as Category 1-A;
• no more than 16 hours of AMA Category 1 credit from an ACCME-accredited provider.

The rule names no other credit, so AOA Category 1-B and Category 2 do not appear to count. AAFP Prescribed credit would count only as AMA Category 1 inside the 16-hour cap. Completing an approved postgraduate training program or preceptorship during the renewal period meets the full 40 hours.

In June 2026 the Board published a proposed rulemaking that would update R4-22-207 and add a rule on CME audits (R4-22-208), with an oral proceeding on July 30, 2026. It was not final when this guide was checked, so the rule described above is the one in effect. Confirm with the Board before your next renewal whether the change has taken effect.

When your license is due

• MD: you renew every other year on or before your birthday (A.R.S. 32-1430). A penalty fee applies if you renew more than 30 days after your birthday, and the license expires automatically four months after it.
• DO: the statute says every other year on or before January 1 (A.R.S. 32-1825). The Board's renewal page says licenses are due December 31 of either even- or odd-numbered years, depending on the license, and renewal notices go out the last Friday in October. A penalty fee applies after 30 days, and the license expires four months after the renewal date.

The mandatory topic

Opioid, substance use disorder or addiction CME — 3 hours, every renewal

A.R.S. 32-3248.02 requires every health professional who can prescribe Schedule II controlled substances and holds a DEA registration to complete at least 3 hours of opioid-related, substance use disorder-related or addiction-related continuing education each renewal cycle. The hours count toward the 40.

• MD: R4-16-102(A) repeats the requirement.
• DO: R4-22-207(A)(3) requires the hours to be AOA Category 1-A or AMA Category 1 credit.

Federal requirement

The federal DEA requires a one-time 8-hour training on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders (the MATE Act). It is a federal requirement, separate from Arizona's rules.

Your first renewal

Neither board's rules waive or prorate CME at the first renewal. Plan on the full 40 hours, and confirm with the Board if your first renewal comes less than two years after you were licensed.

Reporting and audits

• MD: you certify on the renewal form, under penalty of perjury, that you completed the CME (R4-16-102(D)). The Board must randomly audit at least 10 percent of physicians every two years (A.R.S. 32-1434). Missing CME without adequate cause can lead to probation, suspension or revocation. If illness, military service, missionary work or living abroad kept you from finishing, you can apply for an extension. During COVID-19 the Board said the 40-hour requirement did not change.
• DO: you report CME on the renewal application. The Board accepts your AOA CME printout or certificates that show your name, the course title, provider, category, hours and date. Waivers (disability, military service, absence from the U.S. or circumstances beyond your control) and extensions to no later than May 1 must be requested between 60 days before and 30 days after the renewal date.

Checklist before you renew

1. Find your renewal date: your birthday (MD) or December 31 of your renewal year (DO).
2. Count 40 hours earned in the two years before that date.
3. DO: make sure at least 24 hours are AOA Category 1-A and no more than 16 are AMA Category 1.
4. If you prescribe Schedule II drugs with a DEA registration, include 3 hours on opioids, substance use disorders or addiction.
5. Keep your certificates in case you are audited.

Requirements change. This guide was checked against the sources below on October 7, 2026; confirm with the Board before you rely on it.