Home → State CME Requirements → Louisiana

Louisiana Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) requires physicians to complete 20 hours of Category 1 CME annually. PAs follow NCCPA national standards (100 hours every 2 years). Louisiana requires mandatory use of CE Broker for all CME tracking — you cannot renew without it.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

Louisiana physicians must complete 20 hours of Category 1 CME per year.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 20 hours per year
Credit type Category 1 only (AMA Board-approved)
Cycle Annual
Tracking CE Broker mandatory

First-Time Renewal Requirements

New licensees are exempt from annual CME for their first renewal but must complete:

Requirement Details
Laws and Rules Course Louisiana-specific (via CE Broker)
CDS-CME 3 hours (see below)

Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) CME

One-time lifetime requirement of 3 hours before first license renewal. Must cover ALL 4 topics:

  1. Best practices for CDS prescribing
  2. Drug diversion training
  3. Appropriate addiction treatment
  4. Chronic pain treatment

Note: This 3-hour requirement counts as part of your annual CME, not in addition to it.

Free course available through Medical Interactive/LAMMICO for insured individuals.

Optional Courses

Course For
Dispensing Permits Course Physicians with dispensing permits
Supervising PAs Course Physicians who supervise PAs
Telemedicine Course Physicians using telemedicine

Physician Assistant Requirements

Louisiana PAs follow NCCPA national standards with no additional state-specific hour requirements.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 100 hours per 2 years (NCCPA)
Category 1 minimum 50 hours (NCCPA)
Cycle 2 years
Tracking CE Broker mandatory

First-Time Renewal Requirements

New PA licensees must complete:

Requirement Details
PA Laws and Rules Course Louisiana-specific (via CE Broker)
CDS-CME 3 hours one-time (same as physicians)

PA Laws and Rules course available at: CE Broker PA Course

CE Broker (Mandatory)

Louisiana requires all licensees to track CME through CE Broker.

Requirement Details
Account Free at cebroker.com
Mandatory Yes — cannot renew without it
Verification Board checks CE Broker at renewal
Consequence Renewal denied if not compliant

How It Works

  1. Create free CE Broker account
  2. Link to your Louisiana license
  3. Upload/track all CME activities
  4. Board verifies compliance automatically at renewal

Exemptions

Limited exemptions available:

Exemption Details
Federal government employees Respiratory therapists or genetic counselors working exclusively for federal government
State government employees Specific occupational therapists working exclusively for state government

Documentation required: Employer letter verifying employment, submitted 30 days before renewal.

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

Louisiana treats physicians and osteopathic physicians identically — both are classified as "physicians" and issued the same type of license per LSBME.

Key Differences: MD vs PA

Aspect Physicians (MD/DO) Physician Assistants
Total hours 20 hours/year 100 hours/2 years (NCCPA)
Category 1 All 20 hours 50 hours minimum
Cycle Annual 2 years
CDS-CME 3 hrs (one-time) 3 hrs (one-time)
Laws & Rules Required (first renewal) Required (first renewal)
CE Broker Mandatory Mandatory

Tips for Louisiana Licensees

  1. Set up CE Broker immediately — You cannot renew without it
  2. Complete CDS-CME before first renewal — It's a one-time lifetime requirement
  3. CDS counts toward annual total — 3 hours of your 20 can be CDS
  4. New licensees: First renewal exempt — But still need Laws & Rules and CDS
  5. Track everything in CE Broker — Don't rely on certificates alone

Contact Information

Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME)

  • Address: 630 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
  • Phone: (504) 568-6820
  • Website: lsbme.la.gov

Related Links