If you hold a Tennessee physician license, the Board of Medical Examiners requires 40 AMA PRA Category 1 credits every two-year renewal cycle. Two of those hours must relate to controlled substance prescribing, though several certified specialties are exempt. Hours may be earned in any distribution within the two years. Below is the full breakdown.
40 hours / 2 years
Forty AMA PRA Category 1 credits each biennial cycle.
2 hours controlled substances
On the Department's prescribing guidelines for opioids and other drugs.
Specialty exemptions
Certified pain, anesthesiology, PM&R, neurology, and rheumatology specialists are exempt from the 2-hour rule.
Flexible distribution
Hours may be completed in any pattern within the two-year cycle.
How many CME hours Tennessee physicians need
Tennessee requires 40 AMA PRA Category 1 credits every two years. You may complete all, some, or none of your hours in a single year, as long as 40 are completed within the two-year cycle.
Controlled substance education
2 of the 40 hours must relate to controlled substance prescribing, including the Department's treatment guidelines on opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol. Physicians certified by ABMS, AOA, or ABPS in pain management, anesthesiology, PM&R, neurology, or rheumatology are exempt from this requirement.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Tennessee physician licenses renew every two years. Complete and document your 40 hours within the cycle.
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View pricingTennessee Physicians (MD/DO) CME at a glance
- Controlled Substance Prescribing2 hrs · per renewal
2 of the 40 hours must relate to controlled substance prescribing, including the Department's treatment guidelines on opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol. Physicians certified by ABMS, AOA, or ABPS in pain management, anesthesiology, PM&R, neurology, or rheumatology are exempt from this 2-hour requirement.
Always confirm with your licensing board
Tennessee physicians must complete 40 AMA PRA Category 1 credits every two years. Hours may be earned in any distribution across the two-year cycle.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners before relying on these figures.
Source: Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners. 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 Tennessee or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Tennessee Physician CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do Tennessee physicians need?
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40 AMA PRA Category 1 credits every two years.
Does Tennessee require controlled substance CME?
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Yes — 2 of the 40 hours must relate to controlled substance prescribing, with exemptions for certain certified specialists.
Who is exempt from Tennessee's controlled substance CME?
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Physicians certified in pain management, anesthesiology, PM&R, neurology, or rheumatology by ABMS, AOA, or ABPS.
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