Georgia · MD and DO
Georgia: Controlled substance prescribing
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
- Physicians registered with the DEA
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every 2 years; licenses expire on the last day of your birth month, every two years.
- Board
- Georgia Composite Medical Board
- The rule
- Rule 360-15-.01(4), effective January 1, 2018: every physician who keeps an active DEA certificate and prescribes controlled substances (except residency training permit holders and those covered by the pain-management rule) must complete, one time, at least 3 hours of AMA/AOA PRA Category 1 CME on controlled substance prescribing practices, including prescribing guidelines, recognizing abuse or misuse, and prescribing for chronic pain. It is certified at the first renewal after January 1, 2018 or after licensure, and counts as 3 of the 40 hours.
DO (osteopathic physician)
- Hours
- 3 hours
- How often
- Once
- Who
- Physicians registered with the DEA
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every 2 years; licenses expire on the last day of your birth month, every two years.
- Board
- Georgia Composite Medical Board
- The rule
- Rule 360-15-.01(4), effective January 1, 2018: every physician who keeps an active DEA certificate and prescribes controlled substances (except residency training permit holders and those covered by the pain-management rule) must complete, one time, at least 3 hours of AMA/AOA PRA Category 1 CME on controlled substance prescribing practices, including prescribing guidelines, recognizing abuse or misuse, and prescribing for chronic pain. It is certified at the first renewal after January 1, 2018 or after licensure, and counts as 3 of the 40 hours.
What to do next
Other states that require it
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, South Carolina and 6 more. Every state that requires it
Sources
- Georgia Composite Medical Board — home page
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 360-15 — Continuing Education (Rules 360-15-.01 and .02, Georgia Secretary of State)
- Georgia Composite Medical Board — Notice of intent to amend Rule 360-15-.01, with full rule text (professional boundaries amendment)
- Georgia Composite Medical Board — Board partners with CE Broker for continuing education tracking (August 10, 2023)
MD facts last verified October 7, 2026 · DO facts last verified October 7, 2026.