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Massachusetts Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

Massachusetts requires physicians to complete 50 hours of CME every 2 years, while physician assistants have a significantly higher requirement of 100 hours. Both professions have mandatory training on opioid prescribing and domestic/sexual violence.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

Massachusetts physicians must complete 50 CME hours per biennial renewal cycle.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 50 hours minimum per 2-year cycle
Credit type Type 1 activities from accredited sponsors
Renewal cycle 2 years (biennial)
Audit Board may conduct audits

Mandatory Topics for Prescribing Physicians

Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 94C, Section 18, prescribing physicians must complete training on:

Topic Required
Effective pain management ✓
Risks of abuse and addiction with opioid medication ✓
Identification of patients at risk for substance use disorders ✓
Counseling on side effects, addictive nature, storage and disposal ✓
Appropriate prescription quantities for abuse-risk medications ✓
Opioid antagonists and overdose prevention treatments ✓

Domestic and Sexual Violence Training

Per Acts 2014, Chapter 260, Section 9, all Massachusetts physicians must complete mandatory domestic and sexual violence training.

MassHealth Providers

Physicians participating in MassHealth must meet Ordering, Referring, and Prescribing (ORP) enrollment requirements.

Physician Assistant Requirements

Massachusetts PAs have double the CME requirement of physicians.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 100 contact hours per cycle
Category 1 minimum 40 hours
Renewal cycle Every odd year, by March 1
Renewal fee $150 (late fee: $57)

Mandatory Topics for PAs

PAs have the same mandatory training requirements as physicians:

  • Effective pain management
  • Opioid abuse and addiction risks
  • Substance use disorder identification
  • Counseling on medication storage and disposal
  • Appropriate prescribing quantities
  • Opioid antagonists and overdose prevention
  • Domestic and sexual violence training
  • MassHealth ORP enrollment (if applicable)

Renewal Requirements

  • Must attest to completion under penalty of perjury
  • Must comply with good moral character standards (263 CMR 3.02(1)(b))
  • Supervision/collaboration agreement required with supervising physician

Key Differences: MD vs PA

Aspect Physicians (MD/DO) Physician Assistants
Total hours 50 hours 100 hours
Category 1 minimum Type 1 required 40 hours minimum
Renewal deadline Biennial March 1, odd years
Renewal fee Not specified $150

Massachusetts PAs must complete twice as many CME hours as physicians.

Documentation Requirements

Requirement Details
Record retention Required per BORIM guidelines
Submission at renewal No (unless selected for audit)
Attestation Under penalty of perjury

Amended Guidelines

Refer to the Final Amended Guidelines for CME Requirements (Amended April 11, 2024) for complete documentation requirements.

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

Massachusetts requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements. Both must complete 50 hours biennial with mandatory opioid and domestic violence training.

Tips for Massachusetts Licensees

  1. Complete mandatory topics first — Opioid and DV training are non-negotiable
  2. PAs: Plan for 100 hours — That's 50 hours per year on average
  3. PAs: 40 hours must be Category 1 — Plan your mix carefully
  4. Watch the March 1 deadline — PA renewals have a specific date
  5. MassHealth providers: Check ORP — Additional enrollment requirements apply
  6. Keep records — Audits can happen; be prepared

Contact Information

Board of Registration in Medicine (Physicians)

Board of Registration of Physician Assistants

  • Address: 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108
  • Phone: (617) 624-6189

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