Vermont · MD and DO
Vermont: Prescribing controlled substances
MD: 2 hours, every renewal · DO: 2 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
- 2 hours
- How often
- Every renewal
- Who
- Physicians registered with the DEA
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every 2 years; licenses expire at November 30 of even-numbered years.
- Board
- Vermont Board of Medical Practice
- The rule
- Rule 24.1.6: physicians who prescribe controlled substances certify at each renewal at least two hours on controlled substance prescribing, covering abuse and diversion, safe use, and appropriate storage and disposal of controlled substances; appropriate use of the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System; risk assessment for abuse or addiction; pharmacological and nonpharmacological alternatives to opioids for pain; medication tapering and cessation; and relevant state and federal law on prescribing opioids. Anyone with a DEA number or a pending DEA application is presumed to prescribe and must meet it.
DO (osteopathic physician)
- Hours
- 2 hours
- How often
- Every renewal
- Who
- Physicians registered with the DEA
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every 2 years; licenses expire at September 30 of even-numbered years.
- Board
- Vermont Board of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (Office of Professional Regulation)
- The rule
- Act 173 (2016), Sec. 9, as described in the Office of Professional Regulation's notice: licensees with a DEA registration number, a pending DEA application, or who dispense controlled substances must complete at least two hours of CE as a condition of each renewal, on abuse and diversion, safe use, and appropriate storage and disposal of controlled substances; appropriate use of the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System; risk assessment for abuse or addiction; pharmacological and nonpharmacological alternatives to opioids for pain; medication tapering and cessation; and relevant state and federal law on prescribing opioids. Qualifying hours may count toward the 30.
What to do next
Other states that require it
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada and 6 more. Every state that requires it
Sources
- Vermont Board of Medical Practice — Rules, Part 24 Continuing Medical Education (final adopted rule effective May 1, 2024)
- Vermont Board of Medical Practice — CME Tips and Hour Requirements for the 2026 renewal (September 2026)
- 26 V.S.A. § 1400 — Renewal of license; continuing medical education
- Vermont Board of Medical Practice — Statutes, Rules, Policies and Newsletters
- Administrative Rules of the Board of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (effective May 15, 2015), rules 3.6-3.7
- 26 V.S.A. § 1836 — Biennial renewal of license; continuing education (as amended by 2023 Act 77)
- 2023 Vermont Act 77, Sec. 6 — amendment of 26 V.S.A. § 1836
- Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Notice of Required Continuing Education Regarding Controlled Substances (Act 173 of 2016)
- Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Fees and renewal dates by profession
- Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Osteopathic Physicians: Statutes, Rules and Resources
MD facts last verified October 7, 2026 · DO facts last verified October 7, 2026.