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Kentucky Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure (KBML) requires physicians to complete 60 hours of CME every 3 years (including 30 hours Category 1) and PAs to complete 100 hours every 2 years. Kentucky has significant controlled substance requirements, including a unique 7.5-hour requirement for PAs with prescriptive authority.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

Kentucky physicians must complete 60 CME hours per 3-year cycle.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 60 hours per 3-year cycle
Category 1 30 hours minimum (AMA or AOA)
Category 2 Up to 30 hours
Cycle 3 years (January 1 – December 31)
Rollover No — excess hours don't carry over

Mandatory Special Topics

Topic Hours Frequency Who
Controlled Substances (HB 1) 4.5 hours Every 3-year cycle Prescribers
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma (HB 157) 1 hour One-time Pediatricians, radiologists, family practice, ER/urgent care
Domestic Violence 3 hours One-time (within 3 yrs of licensure) Primary care (licensed after 7/1/1996)

Note: HIV/AIDS CME is no longer required (removed June 24, 2015).

Alternative Compliance

Method Credit
ABMS/AOA Board certification/recertification 60 hours CME credit
Full-time postgraduate training (1 year) 50 hours equivalent
Part-time postgraduate training (1 year) 25 hours equivalent

Physician Assistant Requirements

Kentucky PAs must complete 100 hours of approved CME every 2 years.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 100 hours per 2-year cycle
Approved sources AMA, AOA, AAFP, AAPA, or Board-approved
Cycle 2 years
Waivers None — no waivers granted

Mandatory Special Topics (PAs)

Topic Hours Frequency Who
Controlled Substances/Pain Mgmt/KASPER 7.5 hours Every 2-year cycle PAs with prescriptive authority
Buprenorphine-related 12 hours Every 2-year cycle PAs prescribing buprenorphine products
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma 1.5 hours First 2 years of licensure All PAs
HIV/AIDS 1 hour First 2 years of licensure All PAs

Extension Process

Extensions available for good cause with $100 fee:

  • Illness
  • FMLA events
  • Financial exigencies
  • Practice circumstances

Key Differences: MD vs PA

Aspect Physicians (MD/DO) Physician Assistants
Total hours 60 hours 100 hours
Cycle 3 years 2 years
Annual rate 20 hrs/year 50 hrs/year
Category 1 30 hours minimum Per approved sources
Controlled substances 4.5 hours/3yr 7.5 hours/2yr
Waivers Available None

Kentucky PAs have significantly higher CME requirements than physicians.

Audit Policy

Compliance Timeline

Stage Consequence
Non-compliance $200 minimum fine + 6-month cure period
After 6 months License immediately suspended
Retirement No exemption — all active licenses must comply

Documentation Requirements

Requirement Details
Submission Form with annual renewal application
Records Must maintain documentation on hand
Audit response Within specified timeframe if randomly selected

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

Kentucky requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements. Both fall under Medical/Osteopathic Licensure and use the same 60-hour/3-year cycle. AOA Category 1 credits are equivalent to AMA Category 1.

Tips for Kentucky Licensees

  1. PAs: 50 hrs/year is demanding — Plan ahead, don't wait until renewal
  2. Prescribers: Complete controlled substance CME — 4.5 hrs (MD) or 7.5 hrs (PA)
  3. No retirement exemption — All active licenses must comply
  4. Board certification counts — Can satisfy full 60-hour requirement
  5. Extensions available (PAs) — But require $100 fee and valid reason
  6. No waivers for PAs — Unlike physicians, no alternative compliance

Contact Information

Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure (KBML)

Kentucky Medical Association CME Department

  • Phone: (502) 426-6200

PA Specialist

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