If you hold a North Carolina physician license, the North Carolina Medical Board requires at least 60 hours of Category 1 CME relevant to your specialty every three-year cycle. Physicians who prescribe controlled substances must include 3 hours addressing controlled substance prescribing. Below is the full breakdown.
60 hours / 3 years
Sixty Category 1 CME hours each triennial cycle.
3 hours controlled substances
For any physician who prescribes controlled substances.
Specialty relevant
Hours must be relevant to your current or intended specialty.
Resident exemption
Residency training license holders are exempt.
How many CME hours North Carolina physicians need
North Carolina requires at least 60 hours of Category 1 CME every three years, relevant to your current or intended specialty. Residency training license holders are exempt.
Controlled substance prescribing education
Every physician who prescribes any controlled substances must complete at least 3 of the 60 Category 1 hours on controlled substance prescribing practices — including chronic pain prescribing and recognizing signs of abuse or misuse, or non-opioid treatment options. The one-time federal DEA MATE Act training may count toward this requirement.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
North Carolina physician licenses follow a three-year CME cycle. Complete and document your 60 hours before the cycle ends.
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View pricingNorth Carolina Physicians (MD/DO) CME at a glance
- Controlled Substance Prescribing3 hrs · per renewal
Physicians who prescribe any controlled substances must complete at least 3 of the 60 Category 1 hours addressing controlled substance prescribing practices, including chronic pain prescribing and recognizing abuse/misuse or non-opioid options. The one-time federal DEA MATE Act training may count toward this requirement.
Always confirm with your licensing board
North Carolina physicians (except those holding a residency training license) must complete at least 60 hours of Category 1 CME relevant to their specialty every three years.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the North Carolina Medical Board before relying on these figures.
Source: North Carolina 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 North Carolina or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
North Carolina Physician CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do North Carolina physicians need?
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At least 60 hours of Category 1 CME every three years.
Does North Carolina require controlled substance CME?
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Yes — physicians who prescribe any controlled substances must complete at least 3 hours on controlled substance prescribing.
Are residents exempt from North Carolina CME?
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Yes — physicians holding a residency training license are exempt from the CME requirement.
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