Physicians · Louisiana · Continuing education
Louisiana CME Requirements for Physicians (2026)
01 In short
- MD/DO20 hours every year, including 3 h controlled substances prescribing (once), 2 h state laws & rules (jurisprudence) (before the first renewal); renewal by the end of your birth month, reported through CE Broker.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
Louisiana MD/DO CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 20hours
- Renewal cycle
- 1 year
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- CE Broker
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- Category 1 CME from ACCME-accredited providers, ABMS member boards or AOA-recognized specialty boards, AAFP, ACOG, AOA, or entities accredited by the Louisiana State Medical Society or another ACCME-recognized state medical society
- New licensees
- Annual CME does not apply to a physician holding an initial Louisiana license by examination for less than one year. Before the first renewal: a board orientation program (Laws and Rules course, at least 2 hours, credited hour-for-hour) and, for CDS prescribers, the one-time 3-hour CDS course.
- Audits & records
- CE must be posted to CE Broker (the board's electronic education tracker); renewal is blocked if CE Broker does not show the required credits. Keep certificates at least 4 years; the board may audit.
- Renew online
- online.lasbme.org ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Controlled substances prescribingHolders of a Louisiana CDS license and all residents; board pre-approved course covering CDS prescribing, drug diversion, addiction treatment and chronic pain; due before first renewal | 3 | once |
| State laws & rules (jurisprudence)Board orientation / Laws and Rules course for physicians before the first renewal | 2 | before the first renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Exempt from annual CME: physicians certified or recertified within the past year by an ABMS member board or AOA-recognized specialty board, residents in board-approved programs, military service over one year outside Louisiana, retired physicians. Hardship waiver on written request.
Good to know. One board licenses MDs and DOs with identical rules. 20 hours every year, renewal in the birth month (renew up to 56 days before expiry). CDS-CME exemption possible if no CDS prescribed in Louisiana during the prior year.
Source: www.lsbme.la.gov · La. Admin. Code tit. 46, Pt. XLV, §§433-449 (Subchapter K, Continuing Medical Education); CDS-CME: Act 76 of 2017, Board rules Chapter 40 (§4005) · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Louisiana
05 Questions
Which CE courses count for physicians in Louisiana?
Category 1 CME from ACCME-accredited providers, ABMS member boards or AOA-recognized specialty boards, AAFP, ACOG, AOA, or entities accredited by the Louisiana State Medical Society or another ACCME-recognized state medical society.
How do I verify a physician license in Louisiana?
Use the license lookup of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (lsbme.la.gov); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal through CE Broker.
How many CE hours do physicians need in Louisiana?
20 hours every year.
Which CE topics are mandatory for physicians in Louisiana?
Controlled substances prescribing — 3 h (once); State laws & rules (jurisprudence) — 2 h (before the first renewal).
How do physicians report CE in Louisiana?
Through CE Broker — the board checks completed hours there at renewal.
When is the renewal deadline for physicians in Louisiana?
Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (1 year cycle).