MDCMEOverview
New York is one of the most permissive states for CME requirements. The state has no mandatory continuing medical education for physicians or physician assistants. License renewal is based on active practice status and fees, not CME completion.
Physician (MD/DO) Requirements
New York physicians have no state-mandated CME requirement for license renewal.
What's Required for Renewal
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| CME Hours | None |
| Renewal Cycle | 2 years |
| CME Documentation | Not required |
| Renewal Fee | Required |
One-Time Licensure Training
While there's no ongoing CME requirement, New York does require the following one-time training before initial licensure:
| Training | Details |
|---|---|
| Child Abuse Identification & Reporting | Required before licensure |
| Infection Control & Barrier Precautions | Required before licensure |
Important: These are mandated educational requirements at licensure, NOT continuing education requirements for renewal.
Physician Assistant Requirements
New York PAs have no state-specific CME requirements beyond what NCCPA mandates nationally.
What's Required
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| State CME Hours | None |
| NCCPA Requirements | Standard 100 hours per 2-year cycle |
| State Renewal Cycle | 3 years |
| Special Topics | None at state level |
One-Time Licensure Training
Like physicians, PAs must complete infection control training at initial licensure only.
Why No CME Requirement?
New York relies on national licensing standards rather than state-specific CME mandates:
- Physicians: USMLE/NBOME examination standards
- Physician Assistants: NCCPA certification requirements
The state's approach assumes that physicians maintaining active practice, hospital privileges, and board certification will naturally engage in continuing education through other channels.
DO (Osteopathic) Physicians
New York makes no distinction between MD and DO physicians regarding CME. Both have no state-mandated CME requirement.
Important Considerations
Even without state CME requirements, New York physicians typically still need CME for:
- Hospital privileges — Most hospitals require CME for credentialing
- Insurance panels — Many insurers require CME documentation
- Board certification — Specialty boards have their own MOC requirements
- Malpractice insurance — Some carriers offer discounts for CME completion
- DEA registration — Federal MATE Act training may be required
States With Similar Policies
New York is one of only a few states with no mandatory CME:
- Colorado (no requirement)
- Montana (no requirement)
- South Dakota (no requirement)
- Indiana (minimal — 2 hours opioids only)
Tips for New York Licensees
- Don't ignore CME entirely — Hospital privileges and board certification still require it
- Track your learning anyway — Useful for credentialing applications
- Complete MATE training — Required for DEA registration regardless of state
- Check employer requirements — Many healthcare systems mandate CME internally
- Moving to another state? — You'll likely need to catch up on CME quickly