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Requirements

California · MD and DO

California: Geriatric medicine, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients

MD: 10 hours, every renewal · DO: 10 hours, every renewal.

Plan my California renewal

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
10 hours
How often
Every renewal
Who
Only some physicians — see the rule note
Renewal cycle
Renews every 2 years; licenses expire on the last day of the month your license was issued, every two years (the expiration date printed on your license).
Board
Medical Board of California
The rule
Business and Professions Code 2190.3: general internists and family physicians whose patient population is over 25 percent age 65 or older must complete at least 20 percent of their CME hours (10 of 50) in this field. It counts within the 50.

DO (osteopathic physician)

Hours
10 hours
How often
Every renewal
Who
Only some physicians — see the rule note
Renewal cycle
Renews every 2 years; licenses expire on the last day of the month your license was issued, every two years (the expiration date printed on your license).
Board
Osteopathic Medical Board of California
The rule
Confirm with your Board Business and Professions Code 2190.3: general internists and family physicians whose patient population is over 25 percent age 65 or older must complete at least 20 percent of their CME hours (10 of 50) in this field. The Board's 2025 policy alert describes it as a mandated CME for these physicians, but its CME document does not list it; 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. Medical Board of California: Continuing Medical Education
  2. Medical Board of California: Physician's and Surgeon's license renewal
  3. Medical Board of California: Current status renewal (initial license renewal, 26-month first term)
  4. Business and Professions Code, Division 2, Chapter 5, Article 10 (sections 2190 to 2196.9): Continuing Medical Education
  5. Business and Professions Code section 2423: license expiration
  6. 16 CCR 1336: Continuing Education Required (Cornell LII)
  7. 16 CCR 1337: Approved Continuing Education Programs (Cornell LII)
  8. 16 CCR 1338: Audit and Sanctions for Noncompliance (Cornell LII)
  9. 16 CCR 1339: Waiver of Requirement (Cornell LII)
  10. Osteopathic Medical Board of California: Continuing Medical Education (effective October 1, 2025)
  11. Osteopathic Medical Board of California: Licensees
  12. Osteopathic Medical Board of California: Policy alert, new laws effective January 1, 2025
  13. Business and Professions Code, Division 2, Chapter 5, Article 21 (sections 2450 to 2459.7): osteopathic physicians, including 2454.5 and 2456.1
  14. Business and Professions Code section 2454.5: osteopathic CME
  15. 16 CCR 1635: Required Continuing Medical Education (Cornell LII)
  16. 16 CCR 1639: Approved Continuing Medical Education (Cornell LII)
  17. 16 CCR 1641: Sanctions for Noncompliance (Cornell LII)

MD facts last verified October 8, 2026 · DO facts last verified October 6, 2026.