Physicians · Maine · Continuing education
Maine CME Requirements for Physicians (2026)
01 In short
- MD40 credit hours of Category 1 CME every 2 years, including 3 h opioid prescribing & pain management; renewal by the end of your birth month.
- DO100 hours every 2 years, including 3 h opioid prescribing & pain management; renewal on the date shown on your license.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
Maine MD CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40credit hours of Category 1 CME
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Category 1 minimum
- 40
- Accepted credit
- Category 1 CME from programs sponsored by organizations accredited by the AMA, ACCME or the Maine Medical Association CME committee; also credit for peer-reviewed articles, posters, teaching in AMA Cat 1 activities, degrees, postgraduate training (per Board Rule Ch. 1 §11)
- Renewal fee
- $500
- New licensees
- CME is prorated during the first licensure period.
- Audits & records
- Licensee affirms CME at renewal; board staff perform random audits. Extension/deferment up to 6 months for illness or hardship.
- Renew online
- www1.maine.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementAll physicians, whether or not they prescribe opioids (Category 1) | 3 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Current ABMS certification, including maintenance of certification, is deemed equivalent to the 40 hours (lifetime certification is not). Opioid CME still required.
Good to know. Biennial renewal by the last day of the birth month (odd/even year matches birth year). Board jurisprudence exam every other renewal (~4 years). From 1/1/2027 MD and DO boards merge into the Maine Board of Medicine (32 M.R.S. ch. 153); CME rules may change.
Source: www.maine.gov · 02-373 C.M.R. Ch. 1, Section 11; Joint Rule Ch. 21 (opioid CME); 32 M.R.S. §3280-A · checked Oct 28, 2026
Maine DO CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 100hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- CME designated Category 1 or 2 by the AOA, ACGME or AMA; at least 40 hours must be osteopathic medical education (primary care: AOA Category 1; specialists: AOA, ACGME or AMA Category 1)
- Renewal fee
- $525
- Audits & records
- Evidence appended or certified on a board form at renewal; random audit of 10% of licensees in odd-numbered years, proof due within 30 days.
- Renew online
- licensing.web.maine.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementClinicians who prescribe opioid medication (Category 1) | 3 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Waiver or extra time by petition for illness, hardship or military service. Board may not require specialty certification or OCC.
Good to know. DOs are licensed by the Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure (maine.gov/osteo). Rule Ch. 14 dates from 1999 and refers to reporting by January 1 of even years; renewal schedule unclear. Boards merge 1/1/2027 (32 M.R.S. ch. 153). No fee at 70+.
Source: www.maine.gov · 32 M.R.S. §2581; 02-383 C.M.R. Ch. 14; Joint Rule Ch. 21 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Maine
05 Questions
Which CE courses count for physicians in Maine?
MD: Category 1 CME from programs sponsored by organizations accredited by the AMA, ACCME or the Maine Medical Association CME committee; also credit for peer-reviewed articles, posters, teaching in AMA Cat 1 activities, degrees, postgraduate training (per Board Rule Ch. 1 §11). DO: CME designated Category 1 or 2 by the AOA, ACGME or AMA; at least 40 hours must be osteopathic medical education (primary care: AOA Category 1; specialists: AOA, ACGME or AMA Category 1).
How do I verify a physician license in Maine?
Use the license lookup of the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine (maine.gov/md); 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 Maine?
MD: 40 credit hours of Category 1 CME every 2 years, at least 40 of them Category 1. DO: 100 hours every 2 years.
Which CE topics are mandatory for physicians in Maine?
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 Maine?
MD: $500 per renewal, as listed by the board. DO: $525 per renewal, as listed by the board.
How do physicians report CE in Maine?
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 Maine?
MD: Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle). DO: Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle).