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North Dakota Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

The North Dakota Board of Medicine requires physicians to complete 40 hours of AMA Category 1 CME every 2 years. North Dakota has no mandatory topic requirements and offers a board certification exemption — physicians with current ABMS, AOA, or RCPSC board certification can substitute that for CME hours. PAs follow NCCPA requirements only with no additional state hours.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

North Dakota physicians must complete 40 AMA Category 1 Credits per 2-year cycle.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 40 hours per 2-year cycle
Category 1 All 40 hours must be AMA Category 1 or AOA Category 1a
Mandatory topics None
Cycle Biennial (2 years)
Non-compliance fee $500 plus possible disciplinary action

Board Certification Exemption

Physicians may substitute current board certification in lieu of CME hours:

Accepted Certifications
ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties)
AOA (American Osteopathic Association)
RCPSC (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada)

New Licensee Requirements

Tiered requirements based on time licensed:

Time Licensed CME Required
Less than 1 year None
1-2 years 20 hours
2-3 years 40 hours

Audit Process

Detail Information
Type Random selection (non-mandatory submission)
If audited Must provide: provider name, program name, hours, dates, credit designation, verification
Records retention Minimum 1 year after reporting to Board

CME Passport Integration

As of August 1, 2023, North Dakota accepts ACCME-reported CME directly into their system via CME Passport.

Physician Assistant Requirements

North Dakota PAs follow NCCPA requirements only — no additional state-mandated CME hours.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
State hours None beyond NCCPA
NCCPA requirement 100 CME credits per 2-year cycle (50 Category 1)
Cycle Biennial (2 years, effective August 1, 2023)
Board North Dakota Board of Medicine (same as physicians)

Key Points for PAs

  1. No state CME requirements — PA renewal page makes no mention of CME
  2. NCCPA certification required — Must maintain current certification to practice
  3. Practice verification — Must verify practice location upon renewal
  4. Collaboration requirements — Exist but do NOT require specific CME

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

North Dakota requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements. AOA Category 1a credits are accepted as equivalent to AMA Category 1.

Recent Changes

New laws and rules effective April 1, 2024 modified physician CME requirements. Verify current requirements with the board if needed.

Tips for North Dakota Licensees

  1. Board certification exemption — If you're ABMS/AOA/RCPSC certified, you may not need CME hours
  2. No mandatory topics — Complete flexibility in choosing activities
  3. Keep records 1 year — After reporting to board
  4. $500 penalty — Non-compliance has real consequences
  5. PAs: Just maintain NCCPA — No additional state requirements
  6. CME Passport — Use ACCME's system for easy reporting

Contact Information

North Dakota Board of Medicine

  • Address: 4204 Boulder Ridge Rd, Bismarck, ND
  • Phone: (701) 328-6500
  • Website: ndbom.org
  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Central

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