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New Jersey Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners requires physicians to complete 100 credits of CME every 2 years, with a mandatory 6-hour cultural competency component. PAs have a separate 50-credit Category I requirement. New Jersey conducts random audits to verify compliance.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

New Jersey physicians must complete 100 CME credits per biennial renewal cycle under N.J.S.A. 45:9-7.2 and 7.3.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 100 credits per 2-year cycle
Category I minimum 40 hours
Category II maximum 60 hours
Renewal cycle 2 years (biennial)
Audit Random audits conducted

Cultural Competency Requirement

As of April 7, 2008 (per N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.25), all New Jersey physicians must complete:

Requirement Details
Cultural competency CME 6 hours minimum
Frequency Every biennial renewal
Note NJ medical schools must provide this training for physicians who didn't receive it in medical school

Approved CME Providers

New Jersey accepts CME from:

  • American Medical Association (AMA)
  • American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
  • Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
  • Other comparable organizations recognized by the Board

Physician Assistant Requirements

New Jersey PAs have a separate 50-credit requirement that is more restrictive than the physician requirement.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 50 credits per 2-year cycle
Credit type Category I only (no Category II allowed)
Renewal cycle 2 years (biennial)
Audit Random audits conducted

Approved PA CME Providers

Per N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8, PA CME must come from:

  • American Medical Association (AMA)
  • American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
  • American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
  • Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
  • Other comparable organizations recognized by NJ Advisory Committee

Who Must Comply

All PAs must meet CME requirements, including:

  • Active full-fee licensees
  • Reduced-fee (retired-paid) licensees
  • Those not in active practice

Important Differences: MD vs PA

Aspect Physicians (MD/DO) Physician Assistants
Total credits 100 50
Category I minimum 40 hours All 50 hours
Category II allowed Yes (up to 60) No
Cultural competency 6 hours required Not separately mandated

Key difference: PAs must earn all credits as Category I, while physicians can use up to 60 hours of Category II.

Documentation & Audits

Random Audits

New Jersey conducts random audits of CME compliance:

  • Proof of completion not required upfront
  • Must provide documentation upon demand
  • Failure to provide proof may result in Board/Committee action

Record Keeping

Requirement Details
Submission at renewal Certification of completion
Audit documentation Must produce upon request
Retention period Not specified (keep records for safety)

Waivers

The Board may waive CME requirements on an individual basis for hardship reasons:

  • Illness
  • Disability
  • Retirement
  • Other good cause

Important: Waiver requests must be made at time of biennial renewal only.

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

New Jersey requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements. Podiatrists also follow the same 100-credit biennial requirement.

Military Exception

Federal facility workers may practice in New Jersey without a state PA license under the military exception noted in PA regulations.

Historical Note

New Jersey physician CME requirements have been in effect since 2001, making it one of the earlier states to mandate comprehensive continuing education.

Tips for New Jersey Licensees

  1. Physicians: Balance your categories — 40 Cat I minimum, can use up to 60 Cat II
  2. PAs: Category I only — Don't waste time on Category II; it won't count
  3. Cultural competency is mandatory — Build 6 hours into your plan
  4. Keep records — Random audits mean you need proof available
  5. Retired licensees: Still comply — CME required even for reduced-fee licenses
  6. Request waivers at renewal time — Can't request mid-cycle

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