If you hold a Wisconsin physician license, the Medical Examining Board requires 30 Category 1 CME hours every two-year renewal cycle. Two of those hours must relate to prescribing opioids and other controlled substances, though physicians without a DEA number are exempt. Below is the full breakdown.
30 hours / 2 years
Thirty Category 1 CME hours each biennial cycle.
2 hours opioids
On opioid/controlled substance prescribing for DEA registrants.
Non-prescriber exemption
Physicians without a DEA number are exempt from the opioid hours.
DEA training counts
The federal DEA 8-hour training may count if it meets Med 13 requirements.
How many CME hours Wisconsin physicians need
Wisconsin requires 30 Category 1 CME hours every two years.
Opioid and controlled substance education
2 of the 30 hours must relate to prescribing opioids and other controlled substances (AMA or AOA Category 1). Physicians who do not hold a DEA number to prescribe controlled substances are exempt. The federal DEA 8-hour training may count if it meets Wisconsin Med 13 requirements.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Wisconsin physician licenses renew every two years. Complete and document your 30 hours before renewal.
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View pricingWisconsin Physicians (MD/DO) CME at a glance
- Opioid / Controlled Substance Prescribing2 hrs · per renewal
2 of the 30 hours must relate to prescribing opioids and other controlled substances (AMA or AOA Category 1). Physicians who do not hold a DEA number to prescribe controlled substances are exempt. The federal DEA 8-hour training may count if it meets Wisconsin Med 13 requirements.
Always confirm with your licensing board
Wisconsin physicians must complete 30 Category 1 CME hours every two years.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board before relying on these figures.
Source: Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (DSPS). 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 Wisconsin or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Wisconsin Physician CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do Wisconsin physicians need?
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30 Category 1 CME hours every two years.
Does Wisconsin require opioid CME?
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Yes — 2 of the 30 hours must relate to opioid/controlled substance prescribing for DEA registrants. Physicians without a DEA number are exempt.
Does the DEA 8-hour training count in Wisconsin?
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Yes — it may count toward the opioid requirement if it meets Wisconsin Med 13 requirements.
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