New Mexico · MD and DO
New Mexico: Pain management and prescribing controlled substances
MD: 5 hours, every renewal · DO: 5 hours, every 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
- 5 hours
- How often
- Every renewal
- Who
- Physicians registered with the DEA
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every 3 years; licenses expire on July 1 of your triennial renewal year (set when your license was issued; your first renewal is the July 1 after issue).
- Board
- New Mexico Medical Board
- The rule
- 16.10.14.11(B) and 16.10.4.8(D): physicians with a DEA registration and a New Mexico controlled substances registration complete 5 hours each triennial cycle, covering the pharmacology and risks of controlled substances, abuse, addiction and diversion, state and federal prescribing rules, and pain management. New licensees with both registrations complete 5 hours in their first year of licensure (16.10.14.11(E)). The hours count toward the 75.
DO (osteopathic physician)
- Hours
- 5 hours
- How often
- Every renewal
- Who
- Physicians registered with the DEA
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every 3 years; licenses expire on July 1 of your triennial renewal year (set when your license was issued; your first renewal is the July 1 after issue).
- Board
- New Mexico Medical Board
- The rule
- 16.10.14.11(B) and 16.10.4.8(D): physicians with a DEA registration and a New Mexico controlled substances registration complete 5 hours each triennial cycle, covering the pharmacology and risks of controlled substances, abuse, addiction and diversion, state and federal prescribing rules, and pain management. New licensees with both registrations complete 5 hours in their first year of licensure (16.10.14.11(E)). The hours count toward the 75.
What to do next
Other states that require it
Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine and 13 more. Every state that requires it
Sources
- 16.10.4 NMAC — Continuing Medical Education (amended February 8, 2022; State Records Center and Archives)
- 16.10.14 NMAC — Management of pain with controlled substances (16.10.14.11, continuing education)
- 16.10.7 NMAC — License expiration, renewal and reinstatement
- 16.10.2 NMAC — Licensure requirements (16.10.2.9, initial license expiration)
- New Mexico Medical Board — Licensing and Renewal (MD and DO applications, rule list)
- New Mexico Medical Board — Physician Active License Information 2026 (MD and DO licensees)
- SB 279 (2021) — merger of the Board of Osteopathic Medicine into the New Mexico Medical Board
MD facts last verified October 7, 2026 · DO facts last verified October 7, 2026.