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North Carolina Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

The North Carolina Medical Board requires physicians to complete 60 hours of Category 1 CME every 3 years and PAs to complete 50 hours every 2 years. Importantly, North Carolina accepts only Category 1 credit — Category 2 has not been accepted since August 1, 2012. NCCPA-certified PAs are deemed compliant with the 50-hour requirement.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

North Carolina physicians must complete 60 CME hours per three-year rolling cycle.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 60 hours per 3-year rolling period
Credit type Category 1 only (Category 2 NOT accepted)
Renewal cycle Annual (by birthday)
CME cycle 3-year rolling period
Special topics None mandated
Renewal fee $250 (same for MD and DO)

Important: Category 1 Only

As of August 1, 2012, North Carolina does not accept or report Category 2 CME credit. All 60 hours must be AMA PRA Category 1 or equivalent.

Renewal vs. CME Cycle

This is a key distinction for North Carolina:

Process Frequency Details
License renewal Annual Due by your birthday
CME requirement 3-year rolling 60 hours over trailing 3 years

During your annual renewal, you'll report your current three-year CME status.

Physician Assistant Requirements

North Carolina PAs must complete 50 hours of Category 1 CME every 2 years, though NCCPA-certified PAs are deemed automatically compliant.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 50 hours per 2-year cycle
Credit type Category 1 only
Controlled substances 2 hours (if prescribing)
Renewal frequency Annual (by birthday)
CME cycle 2 years (biennial)
Rollover No — hours don't carry over
Record retention 5 years

NCCPA Certification Exemption

PAs currently certified by NCCPA are deemed compliant with the 50-hour requirement. Simply attest to current NCCPA certification during renewal.

Important: Even with NCCPA exemption, PAs who prescribe controlled substances must still complete the 2-hour controlled substances CME requirement.

Controlled Substances CME (Prescribers)

PAs who prescribe controlled substances must complete 2 hours covering:

  • Controlled substance prescribing practices
  • Chronic pain management
  • Recognizing abuse/misuse signs
  • Non-opioid treatment options

Accepted CME Categories

North Carolina accepts Category 1 CME from:

  • AMA Category 1
  • AOA Category 1
  • AAAA (American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants) Category 1
  • AAFP Category 1
  • AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants) Category 1

Interprofessional Education

Courses in the following qualify if NCCPA-approved:

  • Interprofessional education
  • Cultural competency
  • Implicit bias training

Late Renewal Consequences

Situation Consequence
CME non-compliant License not renewed; cannot practice
Within 3 months Can renew late if CME completed
After 3 months License revoked; must apply for reinstatement

Key Differences: MD vs PA

Aspect Physicians (MD/DO) Physician Assistants
Total hours 60 hours 50 hours
Cycle 3 years 2 years
Annual rate 20 hrs/year 25 hrs/year
Controlled substances 3 hours 2 hours
Credit type Category 1 only Category 1 only
NCCPA exemption N/A Yes (50-hr waived)
MOC exemption Yes N/A
Record retention 6 years 5 years

Late Renewal & Inactive Status

Late Renewal

Situation Consequence
More than 30 days late $50 late fee
30+ days late, no response to certified letter License becomes inactive

Don't let your renewal lapse — reactivating an inactive license requires additional steps.

Documentation Requirements

Requirement Details
CME logging Report Category 1 hours during annual renewal
Submission CME reported to Board (documentation NOT mailed unless requested)
Record retention 6 years (physicians), 5 years (PAs)
Forms available CME Logging Form on NCMB website

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

North Carolina requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements:

  • Same 60-hour, 3-year requirement
  • Same $250 renewal fee
  • Same Category 1 only rule

Legal Authority

North Carolina CME requirements are governed by:

  • North Carolina Administrative Code Title 21, Subchapter 32R
  • Additional guidance in NCMB CME FAQs

Tips for North Carolina Licensees

  1. Category 1 only — Don't waste time on Category 2; it won't count
  2. 20 hours per year average — 60 hours over 3 years is manageable if you stay consistent
  3. Renew by your birthday — Annual renewal, even though CME is 3-year
  4. Don't go 30+ days late — Risk of license going inactive
  5. Use the CME Logging Form — Available on NCMB website for tracking
  6. PAs: Call the Board — (800) 253-9653, ext. 387 for specific requirements

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