Pain Medicine & California CME Requirements

American Board of Pain Medicine

At a Glance

By the end of year 10
1 Recertification Exam
300 CME Hours. 150 CME Hours must be specific to pain medicine
2 Recommendations written by peer physicians

Note: These requirements are specific to the ABPM. Certification is also available through the ABA, so please check your corresponding board for accurate information. Applicants must complete, on average, 30 hours of Category 1 Continuing Medical Education per year. (For a total of 300 hours over a ten year period). At least 150 of these hours must be specific to pain medicine (algiatry). Clinician must be engaged in Pain Medicine on an ongoing basis (eg in active practice) and must be recommended by two different physicians. Candidates must also complete a re-certification exam.

Source

Medical Board of California

At a Glance

50 total hours every 2 years

10 hours of Geriatric Care are required for General Internists and physicians with 25% or more of patients over the age of 65.
12 CME hours on Pain Management And Appropriate Treatment of the Terminally Ill (One-time requirement).

The Medical Board of California requires 50 CME hours every two years. The renewal period ends on the last day of the physician's birth month, every 2 years. Additionally, the Medical Board of California has a one-time requirement of 12 CME hours on pain management and the appropriate care and treatment of the terminally ill. Pathologists and Radiologists are exempt. The 12 hours may be any combination of pain management credits and appropriate care and treatment of the terminally credits. These hours may count towards the 50 hours for the current renewal cycle and must be completed by the physician's second license renewal date or within four years, whichever comes first.

Source

Osteopathic Medical Board of California

At a Glance

100 total hours every 2 years

40 AOA Category 1-A or 1-B CME.
12 Pain Management And/Or Treatment of the Terminally Ill (One time requirement).

Physicians will need to earn and report a total of 50 hours of continuing medical education credit, to include a minimum of 20 AOA 1A or 1B hours, and no more than 30 2A or 2B hours. Additionally, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California has a one-time requirement of 12 CME hours on pain management and the appropriate care and treatment of the terminally ill. The 12 hours may be any combination of pain management credits and appropriate care and treatment of the terminally credits. These hours may count towards the 50 hours for the current renewal cycle and must be completed by the physician's second license renewal date or within four years, whichever comes first. Pathology and Radiology specialists are exempt.

Source

Resources

In this online self-assessment activity, you'll test your knowledge with more than 750 Pain Medicine case-style review questions and earn CME credits as you go. Review your responses with detailed, evidence-based rationales with references and earn up to 45 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ to meet your career requirements.

In this online self-assessment activity, you'll test your knowledge with more than 700 Addiction Medicine case-style review questions and earn CME credits as you go. Review your responses with detailed, evidence-based rationales with references and earn 40 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ to meet your career requirements.

Continuing Education requirements change often. We monitor the boards regularly to stay current, but if any information appears out of date, contact us and let us know.

Pain Medicine CME

In this online self-assessment activity, you'll test your knowledge with more than 750 Pain Medicine case-style review questions and earn CME credits as you go. Review your responses with detailed, evidence-based rationales with references and earn up to 45 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ to meet your career requirements. Learn more.