Maryland · MD and DO
Maryland: Prescribing or dispensing controlled substances (for a Maryland CDS registration)
MD: 2 hours, once · DO: 2 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
- 2 hours
- How often
- Once
- Who
- Only some physicians — see the rule note
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every 2 years; licenses expire at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 30 of your renewal year (no grace period).
- Board
- Maryland Board of Physicians
- The rule
- COMAR 10.19.03.04B(7) and C: practitioners with a Maryland controlled dangerous substance (CDS) registration must complete 2 credit hours of CE on prescribing or dispensing controlled substances before an initial registration, or before the first renewal of a registration on or after October 1, 2018. Once met, it is not repeated. Courses must be ACCME-accredited or meet your licensing board's approval requirements. This is a requirement of the CDS registration, not of the medical license.
DO (osteopathic physician)
- Hours
- 2 hours
- How often
- Once
- Who
- Only some physicians — see the rule note
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every 2 years; licenses expire at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 30 of your renewal year (no grace period).
- Board
- Maryland Board of Physicians
- The rule
- COMAR 10.19.03.04B(7) and C: practitioners with a Maryland controlled dangerous substance (CDS) registration must complete 2 credit hours of CE on prescribing or dispensing controlled substances before an initial registration, or before the first renewal of a registration on or after October 1, 2018. Once met, it is not repeated. Courses must be ACCME-accredited or meet your licensing board's approval requirements. This is a requirement of the CDS registration, not of the medical license.
What to do next
Other states that require it
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, South Carolina and 6 more. Every state that requires it
Sources
- COMAR 10.32.01.10 — Continuing Medical Education (Maryland Board of Physicians)
- COMAR 10.32.01.08 — Renewals
- Maryland Board of Physicians — Physician license renewals (overview, CME and FAQs)
- Maryland Board of Physicians — 2026 Physician License Renewal Information
- Maryland Board of Physicians — Implicit Bias and Structural Racism Training Requirements for License Renewal in 2026
- Maryland Code, Health Occupations § 1-225 — Implicit bias and structural racism training
- Maryland Code, Health Occupations § 14-316 — License renewal; continuing education
- COMAR 10.19.03.04 — Controlled dangerous substance registration: requirements (2 hours of CE)
- Md. Code, Health-General § 20-1306 — Cultural and Linguistic Health Care Professional Competency Program
MD facts last verified October 8, 2026 · DO facts last verified October 8, 2026.