If you hold an Arizona allopathic physician license, the Arizona Medical Board requires 40 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 continuing medical education every two-year renewal cycle. Physicians who prescribe Schedule II controlled substances under a DEA registration must include at least 3 hours of opioid, substance use disorder, or addiction education. Below is the full breakdown of what you need and when it is due.
40 hours / 2 years
Forty AMA PRA Category 1 credits each biennial renewal cycle.
3 hours opioids
DEA registrants prescribing Schedule II drugs need 3 hours on opioids/substance use disorder.
No carry-over
Excess credits do not roll forward to the next cycle.
Category 1 required
Hours must be AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
How many CME hours Arizona physicians need
Arizona requires 40 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 CME every two years, tied to your biennial license renewal. Excess credits do not carry over to the next cycle.
Opioid and controlled-substance education
Physicians who hold a DEA registration and prescribe Schedule II controlled substances must complete at least 3 hours each renewal on opioids, substance use disorder, or addiction. These hours count toward the 40-hour total.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Arizona physician licenses renew every two years. Complete and document your 40 hours before your renewal date.
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View pricingArizona Physicians (MD/DO) CME at a glance
- Opioids / Substance Use Disorder3 hrs · per renewal
Physicians who hold a DEA registration and prescribe Schedule II controlled substances must complete at least 3 hours each renewal cycle on opioid, substance use disorder, or addiction topics. Counts toward the 40-hour total.
Always confirm with your licensing board
Arizona allopathic physician licenses renew biennially. No carry-over of excess credits between cycles.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Arizona Medical Board before relying on these figures.
Source: Arizona 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 Arizona or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Arizona Physician CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do Arizona physicians need?
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40 AMA PRA Category 1 credits every two years.
Does Arizona require opioid CME?
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Yes — physicians with a DEA registration who prescribe Schedule II controlled substances must complete at least 3 hours on opioids/substance use disorder each renewal cycle.
Can I carry over extra CME credits in Arizona?
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No — excess credits do not roll forward to the next renewal cycle.
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