Physicians · Alabama · Continuing education
Alabama CME Requirements for Physicians (2026)
01 In short
- MD/DO25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits, AOA Category 1-A credits or equivalent every year, including 2 h medical ethics, professionalism & law (once), 2 h controlled substances prescribing (every 2 years); renewal by December 31.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
Alabama MD/DO CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 25AMA PRA Category 1 Credits, AOA Category 1-A credits or equivalent
- Renewal cycle
- 1 year
- Deadline
- Dec 31
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By December 31
- Category 1 minimum
- 25
- Accepted credit
- AMA PRA Category 1 Credits (ACCME- or Medical Association of the State of Alabama-accredited providers); AOA Category 1-A; equivalents: AAFP prescribed hours, ACOG cognates, completion of an ABMS board certification or MOC process (credited to the year completed)
- Renewal fee
- $300
- New licensees
- Exempt in the calendar year of initial licensure; the 2-hour professional boundaries course must be completed within 12 months of licensure.
- Audits & records
- Random annual audit; do not send certificates unless requested. Keep CME records 3 years after the year earned.
- Renew online
- dashboard.albme.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawAll active licensees: Board-provided course "Navigating Professional Boundaries in Medicine" (due by Dec 31, 2025; new licensees within 12 months) | 2 | once |
| Controlled substances prescribingHolders of an Alabama Controlled Substances Certificate (ACSC); AMA PRA Category 1 in controlled substance prescribing, recognizing abuse/misuse, or chronic pain prescribing; per two calendar years | 2 | every 2 years |
Alternatives & exemptions. Exempt: physicians who neither reside nor practice in Alabama, retirement or disability waiver, residents/clinical fellows in that calendar year, deployed military. Certifying board certificates alone generally do not satisfy the 25 credits.
Good to know. Licenses expire annually Dec 31 (grace to Jan 31 with late fee); CME counts per calendar year. Physicians collaborating with CRNPs/supervising PAs must also take a Board-prescribed course (60-month look-back). Credits used for one year cannot be reused next year.
Source: www.albme.gov · Board rules Chapter 540-X-14 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
Which CE courses count for physicians in Alabama?
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits (ACCME- or Medical Association of the State of Alabama-accredited providers); AOA Category 1-A; equivalents: AAFP prescribed hours, ACOG cognates, completion of an ABMS board certification or MOC process (credited to the year completed).
How do I verify a physician license in Alabama?
Use the license lookup of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners & Medical Licensure Commission (albme.gov); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
How many CE hours do physicians need in Alabama?
25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits, AOA Category 1-A credits or equivalent every year, at least 25 of them Category 1.
Which CE topics are mandatory for physicians in Alabama?
Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 2 h (once); Controlled substances prescribing — 2 h (every 2 years).
How much does a physician license renewal cost in Alabama?
$300 per renewal, as listed by the board.
How do physicians report CE in Alabama?
By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.
When is the renewal deadline for physicians in Alabama?
Licenses renew by December 31 (1 year cycle).