Physicians · Arizona · Continuing education
Arizona CME Requirements for Physicians (2026)
01 In short
- MD40 credit hours every 2 years, including 3 h opioid prescribing & pain management; renewal by your birthday.
- DO40 clock hours every 2 years, including 3 h opioid prescribing & pain management; renewal by December 31.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
Arizona MD CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40credit hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birthday
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By your birthday
- Accepted credit
- Category 1 programs certified by an ACCME-accredited organization; ACCME-accredited medical education programs; internship/residency/fellowship, advanced-degree study or full-time research at AMA/AAMC/AOA-approved institutions (1 credit hour per full-time day); teaching; publishing/presenting; self-instruction media, reading journals/books, board exam preparation, quality-of-care/utilization review committees
- Renewal fee
- $500
- Carryover
- Not allowed: excess hours cannot be carried over to another two-year cycle.
- Audits & records
- Renewal form signed under penalty of perjury that CME for the two calendar years before renewal is complete; the Board may randomly audit.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementPhysicians authorized to prescribe schedule II controlled substances with a valid DEA registration: opioid-, substance-use-disorder- or addiction-related CME | 3 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Extension of time granted on written application if CME was missed because of illness, military service, medical or religious missionary activity, or residence in a foreign country.
Good to know. MD license renews every other year on or before the licensee's birthday (R4-16-201.1(A), A.R.S. § 32-1430(A)); CME counted over the two calendar years before renewal. Late renewal penalty $350. Renewal also asks if a Board training unit on the law was completed.
Source: apps.azsos.gov · A.A.C. R4-16-102; R4-16-201.1; R4-16-205; A.R.S. § 32-1434 · checked Oct 28, 2026
Arizona DO CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40clock hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Dec 31
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By December 31
- Category 1 minimum
- 24
- Accepted credit
- At least 24 hours AOA Category 1-A (AOA-accredited sponsors); remainder any category incl. AMA PRA Category 1 from ACCME/AMA-accredited providers. Residency/internship/fellowship/preceptorship = 20 AOA 1-A hours per year
- New licensees
- First renewal: 20 CME credits, 12 of them AOA Category 1-A.
- Audits & records
- CME entered in the Licensee Portal; documentation (AOA/specialty board activity reports or certificates) required if randomly audited.
- Renew online
- azdo.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementAll DOs, even without DEA registration or opioid prescribing (Board FAQ); opioid-related CME, AOA 1-A or AMA Category 1 | 3 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Waiver possible for disability, military service, absence from the US or circumstances beyond the licensee's control (request Oct 1 - Jan 30); extension to April 30 on request.
Good to know. DOs are licensed by the separate Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners (azdo.gov). Licenses renew every two years; Board says renew by December 31 (statute: on or before January 1). CME counted over the two calendar years before renewal.
Source: azdo.gov · A.R.S. § 32-1825(B); A.R.S. §32-3248.02 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Arizona
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In 11 days
ACAAI 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting
from $0 Hybrid
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In 31 days
Pri-Med Phoenix 2026
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In 32 days
2026 Scottsdale Headache Symposium
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2027 Workshop on Neonatal-Perinatal Practice Strategies
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SGO 2027 Annual Meeting on Gynecologic Cancer
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2027 CNS Annual Meeting
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2027 Scottsdale Headache Symposium
05 Questions
Which CE courses count for physicians in Arizona?
MD: Category 1 programs certified by an ACCME-accredited organization; ACCME-accredited medical education programs; internship/residency/fellowship, advanced-degree study or full-time research at AMA/AAMC/AOA-approved institutions (1 credit hour per full-time day); teaching; publishing/presenting; self-instruction media, reading journals/books, board exam preparation, quality-of-care/utilization review committees. DO: At least 24 hours AOA Category 1-A (AOA-accredited sponsors); remainder any category incl. AMA PRA Category 1 from ACCME/AMA-accredited providers. Residency/internship/fellowship/preceptorship = 20 AOA 1-A hours per year.
How do I verify a physician license in Arizona?
Use the license lookup of the Arizona Medical Board (azmd.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 Arizona?
MD: 40 credit hours every 2 years. DO: 40 clock hours every 2 years, at least 24 of them Category 1.
Which CE topics are mandatory for physicians in Arizona?
MD: Opioid prescribing & pain management — 3 h (every renewal). DO: Opioid prescribing & pain management — 3 h (every renewal).
How much does a physician license renewal cost in Arizona?
MD: $500 per renewal, as listed by the board.
How do physicians report CE in Arizona?
MD: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit. DO: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.
When is the renewal deadline for physicians in Arizona?
MD: Licenses renew by your birthday (2 years cycle). DO: Licenses renew by December 31 (2 years cycle).