California State CME Requirements

California MD and DO physicians, you can fulfill your state CME requirements today by watching the GIBLIB videos listed here.
Back to all states

(Updated 4/20/22)

Each state has its own state CME requirements to fulfill – some depend on the amount of CME you earn, others center more on your educational hours. It can be hard to keep track. California, in particular, requires a lot of CME credits, as well as mandating that you split your credits between designated subjects. And trying to keep track of all these requirements may be tedious for you.

For your convenience, we at GIBLIB have curated your state CME required topics and credits in one blog. Now, you can fulfill almost all of your CME needs in one place. Review your requirements and watch videos linked below that will fulfill them. Use our easy-to-access resource to make fulfilling your requirements less of a chore.

For California MD physicians,  you’ll need to fulfill the following:

“50 hours of approved CME during each biennial renewal cycle (every two years). If an initial license was issued for less than 13 months, only 25 hours must be completed. All must be Category 1 approved. All physicians (except pathologists and radiologists) are required to take, as a one-time requirement, 12 units on pain management and the appropriate care and treatment of the terminally ill. Physicians must complete this requirement by their second license renewal date or within four years, whichever comes first. 

As an alternative, a physician and surgeon may complete a one-time continuing education course of 12 credit hours in the subjects of treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients, including 8 hours of training in buprenorphine treatment or other similar medicinal treatment for opioid use disorders. Those who choose to comply with this section shall complete the requirements of this section by his/her next license renewal date. 

General internists and family physicians who have over 25% of the patient population at least 65 years of age are required to complete at least 20 percent of their mandatory CME in geriatric medicine.”  – FSMB

PAIN MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENT

Watch more Pain Management videos here.

END-OF-LIFE CARE REQUIREMENT

Watch more End-of-Life Care videos here.

GERIATRIC MEDICINE REQUIREMENT

Watch more Geriatric Medicine videos here.

For more topics, browse our video library.

For California DO​​ physicians,  you’ll need to fulfill the following:

  • "50 hours of approved CME during each biennial renewal cycle (every two years). If an initial license was issued for less than 13 months, only 25 hours must be completed. All must be Category 1 approved.
  • Category 1A: Min of 20 hours, 1A or 1B. Formal education programs sponsored by recognized osteopathic institutions, organizations, and their affiliates which meet the definition of "osteopathic" CME. Standardized Life Support Courses.
  • Category 2A: Max 30 hours, 2A or 2B. Formal education programs that are ACCME-accredited, AAFP approved, and programs sponsored by AOA-accredited Category 1 CME sponsors which do not meet the quality guidelines for Category 1A credit." – FSMB, Department of California

  • CME Credits Required: 50 hours
  • Term(Years): 2
  • AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ required: 50
  • Required Topics: 1-time requirement of 12 credits in pain mgmt. and end-of-life care; If >25% of patients are over 65, 20% (10 credits) in geriatric medicine or care of older patients required for all general internists and family physicians.

PAIN MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENT

Watch more Pain Management videos here.

END-OF-LIFE CARE REQUIREMENT

Watch more End-of-Life Care videos here.

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES REQUIREMENT

Watch more Controlled Substances videos here.

For more topics, browse our video library.