If you hold a District of Columbia physician license, the DC Board of Medicine requires 50 AMA PRA Category 1 credits every two-year renewal cycle. DC layers in a 2-hour LGBTQ cultural competency requirement and a 5-hour public health priorities requirement, and at least one course must include pharmacology education. Below is the full breakdown.
50 hours / 2 years
Fifty AMA PRA Category 1 credits each biennial renewal cycle.
2 hours LGBTQ
Cultural competency focusing on LGBTQ patients.
5 hours public health
On a DOH-designated public health priority (e.g. opioids, implicit bias).
Pharmacology
At least one course must include pharmacology education.
How many CME hours DC physicians need
The District of Columbia requires 50 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 CME every two years, with at least one course including pharmacology education.
Mandated subject requirements
- LGBTQ cultural competency: 2 hours.
- Public health priorities: 5 hours on a DOH-designated topic such as responsible opioid prescribing, implicit bias, or cultural competency.
DEA-registered practitioners are also subject to a one-time federal 8-hour substance use disorder training requirement.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
DC physician licenses renew every two years. Complete and document your 50 hours before renewal.
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View pricingDistrict of Columbia Physicians (MD/DO) CME at a glance
- LGBTQ Cultural Competency2 hrs · per renewal
At least 2 hours in cultural competency focusing on patients who identify as LGBTQ. Counts toward the 50-hour total.
- Public Health Priorities5 hrs · per renewal
At least 5 of the 50 hours must address a topic designated by the DOH Director as a public health priority — for example responsible opioid prescribing and pain management, implicit bias, or cultural competency. Counts toward the 50-hour total.
Always confirm with your licensing board
District of Columbia physicians must complete 50 AMA PRA Category 1 credits every two years. At least one course must include pharmacology education.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the District of Columbia Board of Medicine before relying on these figures.
Source: District of Columbia Board of Medicine. 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 District of Columbia or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
District of Columbia Physician CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do DC physicians need?
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50 AMA PRA Category 1 credits every two years.
Does DC require LGBTQ cultural competency CME?
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Yes — at least 2 hours of cultural competency focusing on LGBTQ patients.
What are DC's public health priority CME hours?
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At least 5 of the 50 hours must address a DOH-designated public health priority, such as responsible opioid prescribing, implicit bias, or cultural competency.
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