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Minnesota Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

The Minnesota Board of Medical Practice requires physicians to complete 75 hours of Category 1 CME every 3 years — all hours must be AMA Category 1 credit. PAs have a separate 50-hour biennial requirement, though NCCPA certification serves as alternative compliance. Minnesota accepts board certification (MOC/OCC) as an alternative to traditional CME.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

Minnesota physicians must complete 75 CME hours per 3-year cycle under Minnesota Rule 5605.0100-5605.1200.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 75 hours per 3-year cycle
Category 1 100% — All 75 hours must be Category 1
Renewal cycle 3 years
Rollover Limited — credits between cycle expiration and birth month can apply to new cycle
Audit Board may request documentation

Accepted Credit Sources

Minnesota accepts Category 1 equivalent credits from:

  • AMA Physician's Recognition Award (PRA) Category 1
  • American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Professional Education
  • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Alternative Compliance

Physicians may satisfy CME requirements through:

Alternative Details
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Accepted during cycle of certification/recertification
Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) Accepted as alternative compliance
ABMS Board Certification Certification/recertification accepted
Royal College Equivalents Accepted as qualifying credits

Exemptions

  • Full-time residency or fellowship training at accredited institution
  • Emeritus registration status holders

Physician Assistant Requirements

Minnesota PAs must complete 50 contact hours of Category 1 equivalent CME every 2 years, or maintain NCCPA certification.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 50 contact hours minimum per 2-year cycle
Credit type All hours must be Category 1 equivalent
Renewal cycle 2 years
Board Same as physicians (Board of Medical Practice)

Accepted Credit Sources

  • American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) approved education
  • American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Professional Education equivalent
  • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada equivalent
  • Organizations with reciprocal AMA PRA arrangements

Alternative Compliance: NCCPA Certification

PAs may satisfy all CME requirements through current NCCPA certification (or successor agency approved by the Board).

Key Differences: MD vs PA

Aspect Physicians (MD/DO) Physician Assistants
Total hours 75 hours 50 hours
Cycle 3 years 2 years
Annual rate 25 hrs/year 25 hrs/year
Category 1 100% required 100% required
NCCPA alternative N/A Yes
MOC alternative Yes N/A

Despite different total hours and cycles, both have the same annual rate of 25 hours/year.

Documentation Requirements

Requirement Details
Submission Signed attestation on Board-provided form at renewal
Records Must maintain documentation per Board requirements
Audit Board may request verification of credits

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

Minnesota requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements. DOs may substitute AOA Bureau of Professional Education equivalent credits for AMA Category 1.

Legal References

Reference Description
Minnesota Rule 5605.0100-5605.1200 CME requirements
Minn. Stat. § 147.01 Medical Practice Act
Minn. Stat. § 147A.24 PA CME requirements
Minn. Stat. § 214.06, § 214.12 Professional licensing

Tips for Minnesota Licensees

  1. All Category 1 — No Category 2 credits accepted for either MDs or PAs
  2. Board certification counts — MOC/OCC satisfies requirements during certification cycle
  3. PAs: NCCPA is the easy path — Current certification = automatic compliance
  4. Limited rollover — Only credits between expiration and birth month anniversary
  5. Same board, different cycles — MDs every 3 years, PAs every 2 years

Contact Information

Minnesota Board of Medical Practice

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