Maine licenses physicians through two boards. If you hold an MD license, the Board of Licensure in Medicine requires a minimum of 40 Category 1 CME hours every two-year renewal cycle. If you hold a DO license, the Board of Osteopathic Licensure requires 100 hours every two years, including 40 in osteopathic medical education. Both boards also require licensees who prescribe controlled substances to complete 3 hours of opioid prescribing CME every two years. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
40 hours / 2 years (MD)
MDs need a minimum of 40 Category 1 CME hours each biennial cycle.
100 hours / 2 years (DO)
DOs need 100 hours every 2 years, with 40 in osteopathic medical education.
Opioid prescribing (3 hrs)
3 hours of opioid prescribing CME every 2 years for controlled-substance prescribers.
First cycle prorated
CME is prorated during your first licensure period.
How many CME hours Maine physicians need
The path depends on your license type. MDs need a minimum of 40 Category 1 hours every two years through the Board of Licensure in Medicine. DOs need 100 hours every two years through the Board of Osteopathic Licensure, of which 40 must be osteopathic medical education. For MDs, Category 1 credit may be substituted for Category 2 (but not the reverse), and credits must be earned within the two-year cycle preceding renewal.
Mandated subject requirements
- Opioid prescribing: licensees with prescriptive authority must complete 3 hours of Category 1 CME on the prescribing of opioid medication every 2 years. This applies to both MD and DO licensees.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Maine physician licenses renew every two years. The Board randomly audits roughly 10% of renewal applicants each month, so retain documentation of your hours. New licensees have their CME prorated during the first licensure period.
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View pricingMaine Physicians (MD/DO) CME at a glance
- Opioid Prescribing3 hrs
Licensees with prescriptive authority must complete 3 hours of Category 1 CME on the prescribing of opioid medication every 2 years. This requirement applies to both MD licensees (Board of Licensure in Medicine) and DO licensees (Board of Osteopathic Licensure).
Always confirm with your licensing board
Maine MD licenses renew biennially through the Board of Licensure in Medicine, which requires a minimum of 40 Category 1 hours per cycle. Osteopathic physicians (DO) are regulated separately by the Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure, which requires 100 hours every 2 years, including 40 in osteopathic medical education. Both boards require 3 hours of opioid prescribing CME every 2 years for licensees with prescriptive authority.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine (MD) or the Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure (DO) before relying on these figures.
Source: Maine Board of Licensure in 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 Maine or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Maine Physician CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do Maine physicians need?
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MDs need a minimum of 40 Category 1 hours every two years; DOs need 100 hours every two years, including 40 in osteopathic medical education.
Does Maine require opioid prescribing CME?
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Yes — licensees with prescriptive authority must complete 3 hours of opioid prescribing CME every two years, under both the Board of Licensure in Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Licensure.
Are new Maine licensees exempt from CME?
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CME is prorated during your first licensure period, so you do not need the full requirement in your initial renewal cycle.
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