If you hold a Massachusetts physician license, the Board of Registration in Medicine traditionally requires 100 CME credits every two years, of which at least 40 must be AMA PRA Category 1 (or AOA 1-A). Massachusetts also mandates 10 hours of risk management, 3 hours of opioid education for controlled-substance prescribers, and 2 hours of end-of-life care. The Board's CME Pilot Program offers a reduced 50-credit path for participants. Below is the full breakdown.
100 credits / 2 years
100 CME credits, with at least 40 AMA PRA Category 1 (or AOA 1-A).
10 hours risk management
Including ethics, quality assurance, and medical-legal topics.
3 hours opioids
Required of physicians who prescribe controlled substances.
2 hours end-of-life
May count toward the risk management requirement.
How many CME hours Massachusetts physicians need
Massachusetts traditionally requires 100 CME credits every two years, of which at least 40 must be AMA PRA Category 1 (or AOA 1-A). The Board's CME Pilot Program allows participating licensees to complete as few as 50 credits — confirm which framework applies to you.
Mandated subject requirements
- Risk management: 10 credits each cycle (ethics, quality assurance, medical-legal, patient relations, EHR, burnout, end-of-life, practice management).
- Opioid education & pain management: 3 credits for controlled-substance prescribers.
- End-of-life care: 2 credits, which may apply toward the risk management requirement.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Massachusetts physician licenses renew every two years. Complete and document your credits before renewal.
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View pricingMassachusetts Physicians (MD/DO) CME at a glance
- Risk Management10 hrs · per renewal
10 credits of risk management every two years. May include medical ethics, quality assurance, medical-legal issues, patient relations, EHR education, end-of-life care, physician burnout, and practice management.
- End-of-Life Care2 hrs · per renewal
2 credits in end-of-life care issues, which may be applied toward the 10-hour risk management requirement.
- Opioid Education & Pain Management3 hrs · per renewal
Physicians who prescribe controlled substances must earn 3 credits each licensing cycle in opioid education and pain management.
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.
Massachusetts traditionally requires 100 CME credits every two years, of which at least 40 must be AMA PRA Category 1 (or AOA 1-A). The Board's CME Pilot Program allows participating licensees to complete as few as 50 credits — confirm which framework applies to you.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine before relying on these figures.
Source: Massachusetts Board of Registration 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 Massachusetts or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Massachusetts Physician CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do Massachusetts physicians need?
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Traditionally 100 CME credits every two years, of which at least 40 must be AMA PRA Category 1. A pilot program allows participants to complete as few as 50 credits.
Does Massachusetts require risk management CME?
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Yes — 10 credits of risk management every two years.
Does Massachusetts require opioid CME?
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Yes — physicians who prescribe controlled substances must earn 3 credits in opioid education and pain management each cycle.
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