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Rhode Island Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

The Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline requires physicians to complete 40 hours of AMA Category 1 CME every 2 years, with mandatory Alzheimer's training (1 hour, career one-time) and opioid training (8 hours for DEA registrants). Notably, Rhode Island PAs have more stringent requirements than physicians — 25 hours annually versus 40 hours biennially for MDs.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

Rhode Island 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
Cycle Biennial (2 years)

Mandatory Training

Alzheimer's Disease Training

Requirement Details
Hours 1 hour minimum
Frequency One-time (career requirement)
Effective August 1, 2019

Opioid Use Disorder Training (DEA Registrants)

Requirement Details
Hours 8 hours
Applies to DEA-registered practitioners (new or renewing)
Effective June 27, 2023
Frequency Recurring

Ways to satisfy opioid requirement:

  1. Single 8-hour course, OR
  2. Multiple courses totaling 8 hours, OR
  3. Board certification in addiction medicine/psychiatry (ABMS, ABAM, or AOA), OR
  4. Graduation within 5 years from accredited program with 8+ hour opioid curriculum

Approved organizations for opioid training: AAAP, AANP, AAOMS, AAPA, ACCME, ADA, AMA, ANCC, AOA, APA, ASAM, and others.

Physician Assistant Requirements

Rhode Island PAs have more demanding requirements than physicians — annual renewal with 25 hours per year.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 25 hours per year
Cycle Annual (every year)
Credit type Approved/accredited CME
Mandatory topics None state-mandated
Board Board of Licensure for Physician Assistants

Comparison: PAs vs Physicians

Requirement Physicians PAs
Hours 40/2 years (20/year) 25/year
Cycle Biennial Annual
Effective rate 20 hrs/year 25 hrs/year

PDMP Requirement

All PAs prescribing controlled substances must:

  • Register with Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
  • Check PDMP for each controlled substance prescription

Resources

  • Public Health Grand Rounds — Monthly webinar series with Brown University Health available for CME

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

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

Renewal Process

Detail Information
Renewal notice Sent 60 days before expiration
Method Online
Certification Must certify CME completion at renewal

Phone Scam Warning

The Board uses email only for correspondence — never telephone requests for personal information.

Tips for Rhode Island Licensees

  1. PAs have higher requirements — 25 hrs/year vs 20 hrs/year effective rate for MDs
  2. Alzheimer's is one-time — Complete once in your career
  3. DEA = 8 hours opioid — Required for controlled substance prescribing
  4. Board cert exemption for opioid — Addiction medicine/psychiatry certification satisfies requirement
  5. PDMP registration required — For all controlled substance prescribers
  6. Watch for email scams — Board never calls for personal info

Contact Information

Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline

PA Licensing:

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