Hospice and palliative medicine (family medicine): board certification, CME and credentials

Last verified October 7, 2026. Rules change; confirm with your board before you rely on this page. This is general information, not legal advice.

Board certification

Cycle: 5 years Source: ABFM 5-Year Cycle
Points: 60 certification points per cycle Source: ABFM 5-Year Cycle
CME: 200 CME credits per cycle, at least 50% Division I Source: ABFM 5-Year Cycle
Assessment: Family Medicine Certification Longitudinal Assessment (FMCLA): 25 questions per quarter, 300 questions over three to four years; adds 10 certification points, or One-day exam in year four of the cycle Source: ABFM 5-Year Cycle
Fee: $200 a year Confirm with your board Source: ABFM 5-Year Cycle
License: An active, full license to practice Source: ABFM 5-Year Cycle
Subspecialty: Certificates of added qualification (sports medicine, geriatrics, hospice and palliative medicine and others) have their own rules; not covered yet. Confirm with your board Source: ABFM 5-Year Cycle

Active members of the American Academy of Family Physicians

Cycle: 3 full calendar years (your first cycle adds the year you joined) Source: AAFP: Re-election
Credits: 150 credits per cycle, at least 75 of them AAFP Prescribed Source: AAFP: CME requirements policy
Live credits: None required since the 2019–2021 cycle Source: AAFP News: live credit requirement eliminated
Chapter credits: Your chapter may require up to 25 chapter credits Confirm with your board Source: AAFP: CME requirements policy
Deadline: December 31 of the cycle's last year; no extensions Source: AAFP: Re-election

DO If you are a DO with an AOA board certification

DOs certified by an American Osteopathic Association board

Cycle: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027 Source: AOA: CME FAQs
Credits: 120 credits per 3-year cycle for non-time-limited certificates; time-limited certificates follow their board's numbers Source: AOA: CME FAQs
Your board's numbers: Each AOA board sets its own CME split Confirm with your board Source: AOA: CME FAQs
Reporting: AOA-accredited sponsors report for you; other credit you add yourself in the AOA Physician Portal Source: AOA: CME FAQs

DOs certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians

CME: 120 credits per cycle: at least 30 AOA Category 1-A, 30 more 1-A or 1-B, and 60 of any category (or AAFP) Source: AOBFP: OCC component 2 (CME)
Assessment: Longitudinal assessment: 30 questions by November 30, 2026 Source: AOBFP: OCC overview
Fee: $225 a year Source: AOBFP: OCC overview

Physicians in hospice and palliative medicine (family medicine) often keep these. Your state, hospital or employer decides which you need.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

Renewal: Every 3 years Source: 21 CFR 1301.13 (registration period, fee, renewal window)
Fee: $888 per registration Source: 21 CFR 1301.13 (registration period, fee, renewal window)
Window: Renew no more than 60 days before it expires Source: 21 CFR 1301.13 (registration period, fee, renewal window)
Per state: A separate registration in each state where you prescribe Source: 21 CFR 1301.12 (separate registrations for separate locations)

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

Training: 8 hours on substance use disorders, once Source: DEA letter to registrants on the MATE training requirement (March 27, 2023)
When: Affirmed on your next DEA registration form Source: DEA letter to registrants on the MATE training requirement (March 27, 2023)

American Heart Association

Valid: 2 years, through the end of the month Source: AHA course card information
Skills: Includes an in-person, hands-on skills session Source: AHA course card information

CAQH (DataSpring)

American Heart Association

Valid: 2 years, through the end of the month Source: AHA course card information
Skills: Includes an in-person, hands-on skills session Source: AHA course card information

American Heart Association

Valid: 2 years, through the end of the month Source: AHA course card information
Skills: Includes an in-person, hands-on skills session Source: AHA course card information

American Academy of Pediatrics

Valid: 2 years, through the end of the month Source: AAP NRP FAQ: Providers (Students)
Skills: Includes an in-person, hands-on skills session Source: AAP NRP FAQ: Providers (Students)

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