Alabama · MD and DO
Alabama: Controlled substance prescribing (Alabama Controlled Substances Certificate holders)
MD: 2 hours, once every 2 years · DO: 2 hours, once every 2 years.
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.
MD (medical doctor)
- Hours
- 2 hours
- How often
- Once every 2 years
- Who
- Physicians registered with the DEA
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every year; licenses expire at December 31 (CME is earned January 1 through December 31; the annual registration application is due on or before December 31).
- Board
- Alabama Board of Medical Examiners
- The rule
- Ala. Admin. Code r. 540-X-4-.09: since January 1, 2018, every holder of an Alabama Controlled Substances Certificate (ACSC) must earn 2 AMA PRA Category 1 credits in controlled substance prescribing every two years, as part of the yearly 25 hours. The education must cover prescribing practices, recognizing abuse or misuse, or prescribing for chronic pain. The Board's page says the two-year period runs from the calendar year you received your ACSC through December 31 of the second year, and you attest to it on the ACSC renewal (since 2024 renewals). It applies to ACSC holders, which is the state registration, not the federal DEA registration.
DO (osteopathic physician)
- Hours
- 2 hours
- How often
- Once every 2 years
- Who
- Physicians registered with the DEA
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every year; licenses expire at December 31 (CME is earned January 1 through December 31; the annual registration application is due on or before December 31).
- Board
- Alabama Board of Medical Examiners
- The rule
- Ala. Admin. Code r. 540-X-4-.09: since January 1, 2018, every holder of an Alabama Controlled Substances Certificate (ACSC) must earn 2 AMA PRA Category 1 credits in controlled substance prescribing every two years, as part of the yearly 25 hours. The education must cover prescribing practices, recognizing abuse or misuse, or prescribing for chronic pain. The Board's page says the two-year period runs from the calendar year you received your ACSC through December 31 of the second year, and you attest to it on the ACSC renewal (since 2024 renewals). It applies to ACSC holders, which is the state registration, not the federal DEA registration.
What to do next
Other states that require it
Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, South Carolina and 6 more. Every state that requires it
Sources
- Alabama Board of Medical Examiners — Licensure and registration CME requirements
- Alabama Board of Medical Examiners — Prescribing and Pharmacology of Controlled Drugs (ACSC 2-hour requirement)
- Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 540-X-14 — Continuing Medical Education (revised October 14, 2024)
- Alabama Administrative Code r. 540-X-4-.09 — Risk and abuse mitigation strategies (Cornell LII)
MD facts last verified October 7, 2026 · DO facts last verified October 7, 2026.