North Carolina · MD and DO
North Carolina: Controlled substance prescribing
MD: 3 hours, every renewal · DO: 3 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
- 3 hours
- How often
- Every renewal
- Who
- Only some physicians — see the rule note
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every 3 years; licenses expire on your birthday every year (annual registration is due no later than 30 days after your birthday).
- Board
- North Carolina Medical Board
- The rule
- 21 NCAC 32R .0101(b): every physician who prescribes controlled substances needs at least 3 of the 60 Category 1 hours in each three-year CME cycle on controlled substance prescribing practices and prescribing for chronic pain management; CME on recognizing abuse or misuse of controlled substances, or on non-opioid treatment options, also qualifies. Completing the federal MATE Act training satisfies it for the cycle in which you complete it.
DO (osteopathic physician)
- Hours
- 3 hours
- How often
- Every renewal
- Who
- Only some physicians — see the rule note
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every 3 years; licenses expire on your birthday every year (annual registration is due no later than 30 days after your birthday).
- Board
- North Carolina Medical Board
- The rule
- 21 NCAC 32R .0101(b): every physician who prescribes controlled substances needs at least 3 of the 60 Category 1 hours in each three-year CME cycle on controlled substance prescribing practices and prescribing for chronic pain management; CME on recognizing abuse or misuse of controlled substances, or on non-opioid treatment options, also qualifies. Completing the federal MATE Act training satisfies it for the cycle in which you complete it.
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
- 21 NCAC 32R .0101 — CME required (amended effective 7/1/2024; via Cornell LII)
- 21 NCAC 32R .0102 — Approved categories of CME (via Cornell LII)
- 21 NCAC 32R .0103 — Exceptions (via Cornell LII)
- 21 NCAC 32R .0104 — Reporting (via Cornell LII)
- NC Medical Board — Professional FAQs: CME
- NC Medical Board — Professional FAQs: Renewals
- NC Medical Board — Controlled substances CME requirement
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-13.2 — Registration every year with Board
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-14 — Disciplinary authority (CME, subdivision (a)(15))
MD facts last verified October 6, 2026 · DO facts last verified October 6, 2026.