Physicians · Washington · Continuing education
Washington CME Requirements for Physicians (2026)
01 In short
- MD200 hours every 4 years, including 1 h opioid prescribing & pain management (once), 6 h suicide prevention (once), 2 h health equity; renewal by your birthday.
- DO150 hours every 3 years, including 1 h opioid prescribing & pain management (once), 6 h suicide prevention (once), 2 h health equity (every 4 years); renewal by your birthday.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
Washington MD CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 200hours
- Renewal cycle
- 4 years
- Deadline
- Birthday
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By your birthday
- Accepted credit
- Category I (ACCME or WSMA accredited sponsorship) – all 200 hours may be Category I; Category II non-accredited, III teaching, IV publications/exhibits, V self-directed – max 80 hours each
- Renewal fee
- $824
- New licensees
- Suicide and opioid one-time trainings are due by the end of the first full CE reporting period after initial licensure. Postgraduate/limited licenses have no CME requirement.
- Audits & records
- Signed declaration of compliance at renewal (WAC 246-12-180); up to 25% randomly audited after renewal, documents due within 60 days (WAC 246-12-190).
- Renew online
- wmc.wa.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementPhysicians who prescribe opioids in Washington | 1 | once |
| Suicide preventionAll physicians except residents with limited license; exempt if brief/limited or no patient contact; course on DOH model list | 6 | once |
| Health equityAll physicians | 2 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Instead of 200 hours: current AMA Physician's Recognition Award in at least 2 of the 4 years before renewal; ABMS member board certification in the 4 years before renewal; or meeting ABMS maintenance of certification requirements at renewal.
Good to know. License renews every 2 years on the birthday; CME is reported every 4 years. Renewal fee $824 plus HEAL-WA ($32) and physician health program ($140) surcharges. Residency/fellowship can count 50 Category I hours per year.
Source: wmc.wa.gov · WAC 246-919-430, 246-919-460, 246-919-435, 246-919-445, 246-919-875 · checked Oct 28, 2026
Washington DO CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 150hours
- Renewal cycle
- 3 years
- Deadline
- Birthday
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By your birthday
- Category 1 minimum
- 60
- Accepted credit
- Category 1 (min 60 hours: 1-A formal programs by nationally recognized osteopathic/medical sponsors incl. AOA, AMA, accredited schools/hospitals, interactive online; 1-B papers; 1-C teaching, max 45); Category 2 (2-A home study max 90, 2-B exhibits max 30, 2-C other max 30)
- Renewal fee
- $375
- New licensees
- Suicide and opioid one-time trainings are due by the end of the first full CE reporting period after initial licensure.
- Audits & records
- Signed declaration of compliance at renewal (WAC 246-12-180); up to 25% randomly audited after renewal, documents due within 60 days (WAC 246-12-190).
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementOsteopathic physicians who prescribe opioids in Washington | 1 | once |
| Suicide preventionAll osteopathic physicians except postgraduate training limited license; course on DOH model list | 6 | once |
| Health equityAll osteopathic physicians | 2 | every 4 years |
Alternatives & exemptions. Instead of 150 hours: ABOMS or ABMS certification/recertification within the last 6 years; meeting ABOMS/ABMS maintenance of certification at renewal; current AOA certificate of excellence in CME; or current AMA PRA. State-specific mandated topics still apply.
Good to know. Separate board: Washington Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (Dept. of Health). License renews every year on the birthday; CME counted over 36 months. Health equity: 2 hours every 4 years.
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · WAC 246-853-080, 246-853-070, 246-853-065, 246-853-075, 246-853-685 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Washington
05 Questions
Which CE courses count for physicians in Washington?
MD: Category I (ACCME or WSMA accredited sponsorship) – all 200 hours may be Category I; Category II non-accredited, III teaching, IV publications/exhibits, V self-directed – max 80 hours each. DO: Category 1 (min 60 hours: 1-A formal programs by nationally recognized osteopathic/medical sponsors incl. AOA, AMA, accredited schools/hospitals, interactive online; 1-B papers; 1-C teaching, max 45); Category 2 (2-A home study max 90, 2-B exhibits max 30, 2-C other max 30).
How do I verify a physician license in Washington?
Use the license lookup of the Washington Medical Commission (wmc.wa.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 Washington?
MD: 200 hours every 4 years. DO: 150 hours every 3 years, at least 60 of them Category 1.
Which CE topics are mandatory for physicians in Washington?
MD: Opioid prescribing & pain management — 1 h (once); Suicide prevention — 6 h (once); Health equity — 2 h (every renewal). DO: Opioid prescribing & pain management — 1 h (once); Suicide prevention — 6 h (once); Health equity — 2 h (every 4 years).
How much does a physician license renewal cost in Washington?
MD: $824 per renewal, as listed by the board. DO: $375 per renewal, as listed by the board.
How do physicians report CE in Washington?
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 Washington?
MD: Licenses renew by your birthday (4 years cycle). DO: Licenses renew by your birthday (3 years cycle).