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South Carolina Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

The South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners requires physicians to complete 40 hours of CME every 2 years, including a mandatory 2-hour controlled substances requirement. PA requirements are tied to their Scope of Practice Addendum and collaboration agreements, making them variable based on delegated responsibilities.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

South Carolina physicians must complete 40 CME hours per biennial renewal cycle under S.C. Code § 40-47-602.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 40 hours per 2-year cycle
Credit type Board-approved continuing education
Controlled substances 2 hours minimum (mandatory)
Renewal cycle 2 years (biennial)
Audit Board may verify at renewal

Controlled Substances CME (Mandatory)

Per S.C. Code § 40-47-602(d)(6), all physicians must complete a minimum of 2 hours on controlled substances prescribing:

Topic Required
Approved procedures for prescribing controlled substances ✓
Monitoring controlled substances ✓
Schedule II, III, and IV substances ✓
Opioid crisis awareness ✓

The Board has issued specific guidance on opioid CME requirements emphasizing the importance of training on the opioid crisis and controlled substance management.

Academic License (Reduced Requirements)

Academic practitioners have reduced CME requirements:

Requirement Standard License Academic License
Total CME 40 hours 1 hour (in major disciplinary area)
Controlled substances 2 hours 2 hours

Limited License

Requirements determined by Board on individual case basis.

Physician Assistant Requirements

South Carolina PA CME requirements are variable and tied to the Scope of Practice Addendum filed with the Board.

Key Points

Requirement Details
CME hours Variable (per scope of practice agreement)
Renewal cycle 2 years (aligned with physician renewal)
Board Physician Assistant Committee
Documentation Via online renewal portal

Scope-Based Requirements

PA CME requirements depend on:

  • Active Scope of Practice Addendum on file with Board
  • Delegated medical tasks from supervising physician
  • Level of prescriptive authority (if delegated)
  • PA experience level

Required Topics

Topic When Required
Controlled substances management If prescriptive privileges delegated
Scope of practice compliance All PAs
Professional responsibility/ethics All PAs

Scope of Practice Portal

The Board maintains a detailed Scope of Practice Guidelines Portal for PA authorization documentation. CME requirements are updated based on changes to delegated tasks.

Documentation Requirements

Requirement Details
Submission Proof of completion at biennial renewal
Tracking CE Broker partnership available
Records Maintain documentation for Board audit
Portal Online renewal at eservice.llr.sc.gov

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

South Carolina requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements. Both must complete 40 hours biennial with the mandatory 2-hour controlled substances component.

Exemptions

  • Military service exceptions (state-specific rules apply)
  • New licensees may have prorated requirements for initial period

Legal References

Reference Description
S.C. Code § 40-47-602 Physician license renewal
S.C. Code § 40-47-602(d)(6) Controlled substances CME requirement
S.C. Code § 40-47-905 through § 40-47-1020 PA Practice Act (Article 7)
SC Administrative Code Chapter 81 Board regulations

Tips for South Carolina Licensees

  1. Don't skip controlled substances CME — 2 hours mandatory for all physicians
  2. Opioid training is emphasized — Board issued specific guidance on this
  3. PAs: Check your scope addendum — Requirements vary by delegation
  4. Use CE Broker — Board partnership for tracking
  5. Academic practitioners: Reduced hours — Only 1 hour + 2 hrs controlled substances
  6. Online renewal — Use eservice.llr.sc.gov

Contact Information

South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners

Physician Assistants

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