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Georgia Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

The Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB) requires both physicians and PAs to complete 40 hours of CME every 2 years. Georgia has specific one-time requirements for controlled substances and professional boundaries training for physicians.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

Georgia physicians must complete 40 CME hours per two-year renewal cycle.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 40 hours per 2-year cycle
Credit type Category 1 required
Renewal cycle 2 years (biennial)
Rollover No — hours don't carry over
Record retention 5 years

Special Requirements

Topic Hours Frequency
Controlled substances (prescribers) 3 hours One-time
Professional boundaries 2 hours One-time
Pain management (pain clinic physicians) 20 hours Required

Legal Authority

Georgia physician CME requirements are governed by:

  • O.C.G.A. § 43-34-23 — Medical Practice Act CME provisions
  • O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 34 — Medical Practice Act
  • O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 34A — Composite Medical Board Rules

Physician Assistant Requirements

Georgia PAs have the same 40-hour requirement as physicians, with a unique specialty alignment requirement.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 40 hours per 2-year cycle
Credit type Category 1 required
Specialty hours 10 hours in supervising physician's specialty
Controlled substances 3 hours (prescription drugs)
Renewal cycle 2 years (biennial)
Rollover No — hours don't carry over
Record retention 5 years

Specialty Alignment Requirement

Georgia PAs have a unique requirement: 10 hours of CME must be in the supervising physician's specialty area. This ensures PAs maintain competence aligned with their practice scope.

Controlled Substances CME

PAs who prescribe controlled substances must complete 3 hours of CME on prescription drugs.

Key Differences: MD vs PA

Aspect Physicians (MD/DO) Physician Assistants
Total hours 40 hours 40 hours
Specialty requirement None 10 hrs in supervising specialty
Professional boundaries 2 hrs (one-time) Not required
Pain clinic requirement 20 hrs (if applicable) Not required
Record retention 5 years 5 years

Documentation Requirements

Requirement Details
Submission CME reported at renewal
Record retention 5 years
Audit Board conducts compliance audits

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

Georgia requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements under O.C.G.A. § 43-34.

Tips for Georgia Licensees

  1. 40 hours is manageable — Works out to about 20 hours per year
  2. Category 1 only — Ensure all CME is properly accredited
  3. Complete one-time requirements early — Professional boundaries and controlled substances for physicians
  4. PAs: Track specialty hours — 10 hours must align with supervising physician's specialty
  5. Keep records 5 years — Board conducts audits

Contact Information

Georgia Composite Medical Board

  • Phone: (404) 656-3913
  • Address: 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, East Tower, 11th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30334
  • Website: medicalboard.georgia.gov

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