If you hold an Alaska medical license, the Alaska State Medical Board requires 50 hours of approved continuing medical education every two-year renewal cycle under 12 AAC 40.200. Most hours can be in any AMA PRA Category 1 (or AOA Category 1 or 2) subject relevant to your practice, but Alaska also requires a focused pain management and opioid component for physicians with DEA registration. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
50 hours / 2 years
Fifty hours of approved CME each biennial renewal cycle.
Pain & opioid CME
At least 2 hours on pain management and opioid use for DEA registrants.
AOA credit accepted
AMA PRA Category 1 plus AOA Category 1 and 2 credits all count.
Limited waivers
Extensions may be granted for documented hardship, capped at 15 hours per 5 years.
How many CME hours Alaska physicians need
Alaska requires 50 hours of approved CME every two years under 12 AAC 40.200, averaging 25 hours per year. AMA PRA Category 1 and AOA Category 1 and 2 credits are accepted, and hours must be completed within the two-year cycle preceding renewal.
Mandated subject requirements
- Pain management & opioid use: at least 2 of the 50 hours must cover pain management, opioid use and addiction. Physicians who do not hold a current DEA registration are excused from this portion.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Alaska physician licenses renew every two years. Complete and document your 50 hours within the two-year period preceding renewal. The Board may grant limited extensions for documented illness or hardship, but not for more than 15 hours in any five-year period.
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View pricingAlaska Physicians (MD/DO) CME at a glance
- Pain Management & Opioid Use2 hrs
At least 2 of the 50 hours must address pain management, opioid use and addiction. This applies to licensees who hold a current DEA registration; physicians without a DEA number are excused from this portion.
Double-check this one — our sources varied
Sources disagreed on some figures for this state, so treat the numbers above as a researched starting point and verify the specifics with the board before you rely on them.
Alaska physician licenses renew biennially. Under 12 AAC 40.200, physicians must complete 50 hours of approved CME each two-year period; AOA Category 1 and Category 2 credits are also accepted.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Alaska State Medical Board before relying on these figures.
Source: Alaska State Medical Board. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Licensed in more than one state?
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact: active. Active and issuing. Physicians can obtain expedited licensure across member states; each state license is separate (and each renews on its own CME cycle).
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
Also licensing in Alaska or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Alaska Physician CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do Alaska physicians need?
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50 hours of approved CME every two years.
Does Alaska require opioid or pain management CME?
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Yes - at least 2 hours on pain management and opioid use for physicians who hold a current DEA registration.
Are AOA credits accepted in Alaska?
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Yes - AMA PRA Category 1 along with AOA Category 1 and Category 2 credits all count toward the 50-hour requirement.
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