The physician CME resource center

Make CME count.
Know your next step.

Find learning that fits your requirements, understand the credit offered, and keep the proof you need for renewal.

Find CME activitiesCheck my state board

General resources checked . State guides retain their own review dates.

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Find affordable CMEUnderstand AMA / AOA creditCheck DEA trainingImport a transcript

01 / Choose your learning

Places to find physician CME

Start with the requirement you need to meet. Before enrolling, check the activity’s credit statement, eligibility, total cost and deadline to claim credit.

These are independent resources. Availability and prices can change; CredentialDoMD does not award CME credit or guarantee acceptance of an activity.

02 / Start with your board

Find your state’s licensing guidance

Choose the board that licenses you, especially where MD and DO boards differ. Check your exact cycle, credit categories, required topics, exemptions and record-retention period.

50 states + Washington, DC. This directory reuses our state-guide links; it is not a new verification of every state’s rules. Individual guides show their sources and review dates. For territories or another board, use the FSMB board directory.

03 / Understand what counts

CME, without the guesswork

State licensure, specialty certification and DEA registration can ask for different things. Keep each requirement visible.

Start with the requirement

Choose learning that fits the obligation you need to meet.

CME supports continued professional learning. License renewal, specialty certification and employer credentialing can ask for different evidence.

  1. Identify the organization receiving your credit.
  2. Check its cycle, accepted categories and required topics.
  3. Check the activity’s credit statement before enrolling.

Sources: AMA: checking activity credit statements

Check the credit type

Read the certificate’s exact designation.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit and AOA categories use different systems. An accredited provider can also publish material that does not award CME.

AOA categories include 1-A, 1-B, 2-A and 2-B. Keep the category actually awarded; confirm the category mix your receiving board requires.

  1. Check the provider in the ACCME directory when applicable.
  2. Read the activity’s designation and maximum credit.
  3. Keep AMA, AOA, MOC and participation labels distinct.

Sources: ACCME: find an accredited provider · AMA PRA credit requirements · AOA CME policies: 2025–2027 cycle

Plan for each license

Check each license separately.

Use the correct medical or osteopathic board.

  1. Record each license’s cycle.
  2. Confirm accepted categories, topics and exceptions.
  3. Review each activity against each intended use.

Sources: FSMB: find your licensing board

Understand DEA MATE

Keep the one-time federal training requirement separate from recurring CME.

At the first applicable DEA registration or renewal on or after June 27, 2023, covered practitioners attest to meeting an accepted training standard. Solely veterinary practitioners are excluded.

Routes include specified addiction certification, qualifying recent education, or at least eight hours of eligible training. Earlier eligible training and cumulative sessions may count.

Eligible DEA training may also count toward state requirements when the state accepts it. Check each requirement before taking duplicate training.

  1. Read the DEA eligibility guidance for your situation.
  2. Check the training source and keep completion evidence.
  3. Do not automatically repeat eight hours at every renewal.

Sources: DEA MATE training questions and answers · SAMHSA MATE training resources · U.S. Code: DEA registration and training, section 823(m)

Separate CME from board certification

Credit hours alone do not describe an entire certification program.

ABMS member boards set specialty-specific continuing-certification programs. Some CME activities also offer designated MOC credit. AOA certification uses its own OCC requirements.

  1. Check your certifying board’s current program and whether your licensing board recognizes certification activities toward CME.
  2. Confirm the activity’s board-specific recognition and reporting requirements.
  3. Keep board points separate from CME hours unless the activity explicitly awards both.

Sources: ABMS continuing-certification standards · ACCME: CME for maintenance of certification · AOA CME policies: 2025–2027 cycle

Use CME Passport

Understand what appears in your record and how to bring it here.

Providers report completion to ACCME with your permission and matching information. Physicians cannot self-report completion into CME Passport.

  1. Ask the provider whether it reports your credit.
  2. Check your Passport record after reporting.
  3. Download your transcript and use Import transcript in CredentialDoMD. Review every row before saving.

Sources: ACCME: how CME Passport works · CredentialDoMD product walkthroughs

04 / Answers to common questions

The details that trip people up

How many CME hours do I need?

Check your licensing and certifying boards. This center does not assign a universal hour total or determine individual compliance.

Sources: FSMB: find your licensing board · ABMS continuing-certification standards

Can I find CME without paying?

Start with CDC TRAIN and PCSS-MOUD. Check that the specific activity awards physician CME and includes the certificate or credit claim at no charge.

Sources: CDC TRAIN: current learning platform · CDC continuing-education credit types · SAMHSA PCSS-MOUD training

How do I know an activity awards physician CME?

Look for its credit designation, maximum available credit and completion requirements. Provider accreditation alone does not make every resource a CME activity.

Sources: AMA: checking activity credit statements · ACCME: find an accredited provider

Are AMA and AOA categories interchangeable?

Do not automatically convert AMA Category 1 into AOA Category 1-A. Preserve the original credit type and confirm acceptance with the receiving organization.

Sources: AOA CME policies: 2025–2027 cycle · AOA CME questions and reporting

What is AMA PRA Category 2 Credit?

Physicians may self-document qualifying learning that is not certified for Category 1 under AMA criteria. It must be relevant to practice, non-promotional and meet the AMA’s educational and ethical standards. Check whether the receiving board accepts it; reading alone does not create Category 1 credit.

Sources: AMA: understanding Category 2 credit

Are MOC points the same as CME hours?

They are distinct credit designations. An activity may award both; verify each amount and board recognition rather than converting points into CME hours.

Sources: ACCME: CME for maintenance of certification

Can one activity help with more than one license?

Confirm dates, topics and acceptance for each license. Do not assume reciprocity.

Sources: FSMB: find your licensing board

Can extra credits roll into my next cycle?

Check the receiving board’s carryover rule before relying on surplus credit. Do not assume rollover.

Sources: FSMB: find your licensing board

Can I claim an exemption or waiver?

Ask the relevant board about eligibility, evidence and approval. An AOA certification waiver does not change state-license requirements.

Sources: AOA CME policies: 2025–2027 cycle

What if my certificate is missing?

Check your provider account or request a replacement from the activity organizer. Keep the completion details while you resolve it. Do not invent a certificate.

Sources: AMA: checking activity credit statements

Can I claim credit after a course expires?

Check the activity’s credit-claim deadline and contact its provider. Reading material while it was available does not establish that a later claim is accepted.

Sources: AMA Ed Hub: access, costs and claiming credit

How long should I keep CME records?

Use your board’s retention and audit instructions. This center does not prescribe a universal retention period. Keep readable backups.

Sources: FSMB: find your licensing board

Why is an activity missing from CME Passport?

Its provider may not have reported it, or matching details may need correction. Contact the provider; you cannot add completion credit yourself in Passport.

Sources: ACCME: how CME Passport works

Does CredentialDoMD automatically sync with Passport?

The available workflow is to download your Passport transcript and import it. Review the proposed entries before saving; this is not automatic account synchronization.

Sources: CredentialDoMD product walkthroughs

Do I repeat MATE training every DEA renewal?

MATE is a one-time attestation requirement. Check the DEA guidance if your training history or eligibility is uncertain. State requirements remain separate.

Sources: DEA MATE training questions and answers

Can earlier training satisfy MATE?

Earlier eligible training, including qualifying DATA-waiver training, may count. Confirm the content and training source under DEA guidance and keep the evidence.

Sources: DEA MATE training questions and answers

Do CredentialDoMD tutorials award CME?

No. Our walkthroughs teach app tasks and use demo data. They do not award CME, MOC points or DEA training credit.

Sources: CredentialDoMD product walkthroughs

Does the app confirm that I am compliant?

Its calculation depends on your saved records and rules on file. Review dates, categories and applicability, and confirm unresolved questions with the receiving board.

Sources: CredentialDoMD product walkthroughs

Does reported CME renew my license automatically?

Reported credit is not proof that renewal is complete. Check your board’s application and confirmation requirements.

Sources: FSMB: find your licensing board

05 / Put it into practice

Organize your CME in CredentialDoMD

Short narrated walkthroughs with captions, written steps and transcripts. Product tutorials do not award CME credit.

Video + written guide

Save a CME certificate

Scan a certificate and review the extracted fields.

Watch the walkthrough → Video + written guide

Import a transcript

Bring in a transcript, review rows and check duplicates.

Watch the walkthrough → Video + written guide

Review your CME progress

Check cycle dates, categories and rule applicability.

Watch the walkthrough →

From learning to a clear record

Keep the evidence with the deadline.

Use CredentialDoMD to organize certificates and review your saved CME. Confirm acceptance and unresolved exceptions with the receiving board.

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Sources, review dates and scope

General physician CME resources and product guidance checked on this date. Individual course acceptance and every jurisdiction’s current rules have not been verified. Source checks are not regulatory approval.

For an activity-specific question, contact its provider. For acceptance, exemptions or renewal eligibility, contact your licensing or certifying board. Report a broken link or unclear guide.