Arkansas · MD and DO
Arkansas: Prescribing education for new prescribers (Arkansas rules and laws, controlled substances, record keeping, professional boundaries)
MD: 3 hours, once · DO: 3 hours, once.
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
- 3 hours
- How often
- Once
- Who
- Only some physicians — see the rule note
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every year; licenses expire on your birth month each year (renewal is annual unless you choose the two-year option).
- Board
- Arkansas State Medical Board
- The rule
- Confirm with your Board 17 CAR § 140-202(b)(6)(C)(iii): prescribers licensed after December 31, 2015 must obtain at least 3 hours of Board-approved prescribing education within the first two years of being licensed in Arkansas. The education covers Arkansas prescribing rules and laws, prescribing controlled substances, record keeping and maintaining safe professional boundaries. The underlying statute, Ark. Code § 20-7-704, appears in an online copy with 2 hours; the Board's rule says 3. Plan on 3 and confirm with the Board which courses it approves.
DO (osteopathic physician)
- Hours
- 3 hours
- How often
- Once
- Who
- Only some physicians — see the rule note
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every year; licenses expire on your birth month each year (renewal is annual unless you choose the two-year option).
- Board
- Arkansas State Medical Board
- The rule
- Confirm with your Board 17 CAR § 140-202(b)(6)(C)(iii): prescribers licensed after December 31, 2015 must obtain at least 3 hours of Board-approved prescribing education within the first two years of being licensed in Arkansas. The education covers Arkansas prescribing rules and laws, prescribing controlled substances, record keeping and maintaining safe professional boundaries. The underlying statute, Ark. Code § 20-7-704, appears in an online copy with 2 hours; the Board's rule says 3. Plan on 3 and confirm with the Board which courses it approves.
Facts marked “Confirm with your Board” are unsettled in the sources; the note says what to check.
What to do next
Other states that require it
Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, South Carolina and 6 more. Every state that requires it
Sources
- Arkansas State Medical Board — home page and CME resources
- Arkansas State Medical Board — Frequently asked questions (CME hours for MD/DO renewal)
- 17 CAR § 140-1101 — Continuing medical education (Code of Arkansas Rules)
- 17 CAR § 140-202 — Malpractice defined, including prescriber education (Code of Arkansas Rules)
- Arkansas State Medical Board Rule 46 (fees: one-year and two-year renewal) with Act 803 of 2021 (Ark. Code § 17-95-414, multiyear license) — Arkansas Legislature filing
- Ark. Code § 20-7-704 — Prescriber education (FindLaw copy of the statute)
MD facts last verified October 7, 2026 · DO facts last verified October 7, 2026.