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Requirements

California · MD and DO

California: Pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients

MD: 12 hours, once · DO: 12 hours, once.

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
12 hours
How often
Once
Who
Every licensee
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 2190.5: a one-time 12 hours, due within four years of your initial license or by your second renewal, whichever comes first; the 12 hours count within the 50. Licensed on or after January 1, 2019: the course must also cover the risks of addiction with Schedule II drugs. Pathologists and radiologists are exempt. Alternative (2190.6): a one-time 12-hour course on treating opiate-dependent patients, including 8 hours on buprenorphine or similar treatment, due by your next renewal. The Medical Board says the course must be "presented by an organization accredited to provide CME" by the ACCME, the AMA, the CMA or the AAFP.

DO (osteopathic physician)

Hours
12 hours
How often
Once
Who
Every licensee
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
Business and Professions Code 2190.5 and the Board's CME document: a one-time 12 hours, due within four years of licensure or by your second renewal, whichever comes first; pathology and radiology specialists are exempt. For physicians licensed on or after January 1, 2019 the course must also cover the risks of addiction with Schedule II drugs (2190.5(a)(2); the Board's document says January 1, 2020). Alternative (2190.6): a one-time 12-hour course on treating opiate-dependent patients, including 8 hours on buprenorphine or similar treatment. The Board notes this CME is usually AMA credit, which it counts as AOA Category 2.

What to do next

Other states that require it

Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts and 13 more. Every state that requires it

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.