Overview
The Hawaii Medical Board requires physicians to complete 40 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 CME every 2 years. Hawaii has no mandatory topic requirements — all 40 hours must be Category 1 or Category 1A, but physicians have full flexibility in content selection. PAs simply maintain NCCPA certification. Hawaii conducts random audits in odd-numbered years.
Physician (MD/DO) Requirements
Hawaii physicians must complete 40 AMA PRA Category 1 or Category 1A Credits per 2-year cycle.
CME Breakdown
| Requirement |
Details |
| Total CME |
40 hours per 2-year cycle |
| Category 1 |
All 40 hours must be Category 1 or 1A (100%) |
| Mandatory topics |
None |
| Cycle |
Biennial (even-numbered years) |
| Renewal deadline |
January 31 |
DO Renewal Difference
| License Type |
Renewal Deadline |
Fee |
| MD |
January 31 |
$402 |
| DO |
June 30 |
$312 |
First-Time Renewal
| Situation |
Requirement |
| Licensed in first year of biennium |
20 hours only |
| Full cycle |
40 hours |
Audit Process
| Detail |
Information |
| Timing |
Random audit every odd-numbered year (October) |
| Impact |
If selected, cannot renew online — must use hardcopy |
| Proof |
Must submit CME documentation with hardcopy renewal |
Physician Assistant Requirements
Hawaii PAs have straightforward requirements — just maintain NCCPA certification.
CME Breakdown
| Requirement |
Details |
| State hours |
None beyond NCCPA |
| Requirement |
Current NCCPA certification |
| Cycle |
Biennial (even-numbered years) |
| Renewal deadline |
January 31 |
| Fee |
$150 |
Important: Supervising Physician Requirement
Your supervising physician must be renewed before your PA license will be renewed. Coordinate renewal timing with your supervisor.
Documentation
- Proof of current NCCPA certification required with hardcopy renewal
- Must maintain registration on active status to practice
DO (Osteopathic) Physicians
Hawaii requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements (40 hours Category 1), with one difference:
| Difference |
MD |
DO |
| Renewal deadline |
January 31 |
June 30 |
| Fee |
$402 |
$312 |
Government Physicians (MDG)
| Requirement |
Details |
| Cycle |
Annual (not biennial) |
| Deadline |
January 31 |
| Fee |
$171 |
Tips for Hawaii Licensees
- 100% Category 1 — No Category 2 accepted
- No mandatory topics — Full flexibility in content
- Watch for audit notice — October of odd years; affects renewal method
- DOs: June 30 deadline — Different from MDs
- PAs: Coordinate with supervisor — Their license must be renewed first
- First renewal reduced — Only 20 hours if licensed in first year of biennium
Contact Information
Hawaii Medical Board
Related Links
MDCME