MDCMEOverview
The Arizona Medical Board requires physicians to complete 40 hours of CME every 2 years. Arizona recently made significant changes to PA practice laws with HB 2043, transitioning from traditional supervision to a collaborative practice model effective December 31, 2023.
Physician (MD/DO) Requirements
Arizona physicians must complete 40 CME hours per 2-year renewal cycle under A.R.S. § 32-1430.
CME Breakdown
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total CME | 40 hours minimum per 2-year cycle |
| Renewal cycle | 2 years |
| Renewal fee | $500 |
| Late penalty | $350 |
| Audit | Random audits conducted |
Mandatory Training
Arizona requires specific training at renewal:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Laws/Rules Training | Board-prescribed training unit on Arizona medical laws and rules |
| Medical Records | Compliance and recordkeeping statement required |
| Mandatory Disclosure | Must disclose any medical condition impairing ability to practice |
Documentation
- CME statement required under penalty of perjury
- CME Audit Form available for submission as evidence
- Maintain documentation for potential audit
Governing Statutes
- A.R.S. § 32-1430 — License renewal; expiration
- R4-16-201.1 — Application for Renewal of License
- R4-16-102 — Continuing Medical Education
Physician Assistant Requirements
Arizona PAs are regulated by the same Arizona Medical Board as physicians and have dual requirements — both state-specific hours AND NCCPA certification.
CME Breakdown
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| State-specific CME | 40 hours per 2-year cycle |
| NCCPA requirement | 100 hours (50 Category 1) per 2 years |
| Opioid/SUD training | 3 hours (if prescriptive authority) |
| Renewal cycle | 2 years |
| Board | Arizona Medical Board (same as physicians) |
Important: Dual Requirements
Arizona PAs must meet both:
- NCCPA certification maintenance (100 CME/2 years, 50 Category 1)
- Arizona state-specific requirement (40 additional hours)
This means Arizona PAs effectively need more CME than many other states.
HB 2043 Changes (Effective December 31, 2023)
Arizona significantly amended PA practice laws with HB 2043:
| Change | Details |
|---|---|
| Practice Model | Transition from supervision to collaborative practice |
| Regulation | PAs now regulated under same board as MDs |
| Eligibility | Licensed Arizona PAs who meet new requirements |
| Supervision Agreements | Requirements modified under new legislation |
Resources for PAs
The Arizona Medical Board provides:
- FAQs for Collaborative Practice
- Amendments to the Physician Assistant Practice Act
- Updated guidance on supervision/collaboration requirements
DO (Osteopathic) Physicians
Arizona requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements. Both are regulated by the Arizona Medical Board with the same 40-hour biennial requirement.
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2-year renewal (MD/DO) | $500 |
| Late renewal penalty | $350 |
| PA renewal | Contact Board for current fees |
Tips for Arizona Licensees
- Complete the laws/rules training — It's mandatory at every renewal
- Don't skip the disclosure — Medical condition disclosure is required
- Budget for the fee — $500 renewal is higher than many states
- Avoid late penalties — $350 late fee is significant
- PAs: Review HB 2043 — Major changes to practice model effective late 2023
- Keep audit-ready records — Random audits are conducted
Contact Information
Arizona Medical Board
- Phone: (480) 551-2700
- Toll-Free: (877) 255-2212
- Address: 1740 W Adams St, Suite 4000, Phoenix, AZ 85007
- Website: azmd.gov