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

This guide covers physicians licensed by the Idaho State Board of Medicine, part of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). The Board licenses both MDs and DOs, and the same rule, IDAPA 24.33.01, applies to both.

The short version

Requirement	Hours	How often	Who
Total CME (or current board certification, or residency)	40	Every two years	Every MD and DO
Required topics	None	—	—
License expires	Your birthday	Every two years (being phased in from April 2026)	Everyone

How many hours, and what kind

Under IDAPA 24.33.01.100.04, before you renew you attest that you have done one of three things:

1. completed at least 40 hours of practice-relevant CME during the prior two years;
2. maintained current board certification from the American Board of Medical Specialties, the AOA, or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; or
3. participated full time in a residency or fellowship at a professionally accredited institution.

The rule in effect since July 1, 2025 says "practice-relevant CME" and no longer says "Category 1," as the 2023 version did. The Board's FAQ still says "40 hours of practice relevant, Category 1, CME every two (2) years," and that all education offered by ACCME-accredited institutions and organizations (and reciprocating organizations) or by the AOA is considered approved. Until the Board updates its guidance, plan on AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ or AOA Category 1 credit. MDs may count AOA credit and DOs may count AMA credit.

AAFP Prescribed credit is not named. The AAFP is ACCME-accredited, so its activities fit the FAQ's description, but the Board has not said so in writing. If most of your hours are AAFP Prescribed, confirm with the Board. The same goes for AOA Category 1-B, since the FAQ asks for "Category 1" without separating 1-A and 1-B.

When your license expires

Idaho is changing its renewal cycle. In March 2026 DOPL announced that from April 1, 2026 it is moving Board of Medicine licensees from one-year licenses, or two-year licenses renewed in June, to two-year licenses that expire on your birthday (the birth year is not considered). Current licensees are phased in by whether their birth year is even or odd. New licenses run at least two years, to a birthday. Licensees who chose one-year renewals will pay for two years at their first two-year renewal. DOPL says continuing education requirements do not change.

You can renew up to 60 days before your license expires. Check your own expiration date in your DOPL online account.

Required topics

Idaho sets no required CME topics for physicians. Any practice-relevant CME counts toward the 40 hours.

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) when you first register or renew a DEA registration. It is a federal requirement, separate from Idaho's rules.

Your first renewal

The rule sets no first-renewal waiver or proration: the attestation covers 40 hours in the prior two years. Full-time residency or fellowship training meets the requirement. Because license terms are changing, confirm with the Board how the 40 hours apply if your first term is shorter than two years.

Reporting and audits

At renewal you attest that you met the requirement. The Board may ask for more evidence and may audit CME. The Board can condition, limit, suspend or refuse to renew the license of anyone who has not complied. The rule sets no record-retention period, so keep your certificates for the whole two-year period and until any audit is closed.

A license lapsed for less than five years can be reinstated with a renewal application, all back renewal fees, a reinstatement fee and proof of the required CE. After five years you must apply again.

Checklist before you renew

1. Find your expiration date in your DOPL account (moving to your birthday, every two years).
2. Confirm current board certification, or count 40 hours of practice-relevant Category 1 CME from the last two years.
3. Keep certificates in case of an audit.
4. Renew online up to 60 days before your expiration date.

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