Continuing Education - Medical Doctors
The following information regarding required CME applies to all medical doctor licensees. Active and inactive status licensees must complete all required CME in advance of renewal. The term “reporting period” means the two-year period preceding the renewal deadline for a license issued by the Board. For example, if a license is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2025, the reporting period is July 1, 2023 through the 2025 renewal application submission date.
Mandatory Controlled Substance CME for all Licensees
Physicians who have prescribed, administered, or dispensed any controlled substance pursuant to a West Virginia license in the two-year reporting period preceding renewal, are required to complete 3-hours of Board-approved CME in Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training, formerly known as Drug Diversion Training and Best Practice Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training during each reporting period. This is not a one-time only requirement. For 2025 license renewal applicants, this course must be completed during the reporting period of July 1, 2023 through the date of attestation on a renewal application. The Board maintains a list of all 3-hour courses that have been approved by the Board and which were available for completion during the reporting period for physicians renewing in 2025. To review a list of previous and upcoming conferences which satisfy this CME requirement, as well as the available online courses, click on the appropriate link below.
A physician who has not prescribed any controlled substances pursuant to a West Virginia license during the reporting period may seek a waiver of this requirement by attesting on the renewal application that he or she has not prescribed, administered or dispensed any controlled substances pursuant to a West Virginia license since July 1, 2023.
In addition to the mandatory Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training, formerly known as Drug Diversion Training and Best Practice Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training, CME course, there are four pathways to satisfy the biennial CME obligation.
Option 1 Classic CME
Complete 50 hours of CME which is designated as Category I by the AMA or AAFP during the reporting period.
- 30 hours of CME must be in the physician’s area(s) of specialty.
- Physicians may count up to 20 hours of medical student teaching/preceptorship in the 50-hour total.
- The 3-hour Board-approved Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training, formerly known as Drug Diversion Training and Best Practice Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training, CME can be used for 3 of the 50 CME hours.
Option 2 ABMS Certification/Recertification Exam
A physician may satisfy all CME requirements except the 3-hour Board-approved Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training, formerly known as Drug Diversion Training and Best Practice Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training, CME requirement by sitting for and passing a certification or recertification examination of an ABMS member board and receiving certification or recertification during the relevant reporting period. For 2025 license renewal applicants, this reporting period is July 1, 2023 through the date a renewal application is submitted.
Option 3 Active Participation in MOC
A physician may satisfy all CME requirements except the 3-hour Board-approved Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training, formerly known as Drug Diversion Training and Best Practice Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training CME requirement by successful involvement in maintenance of certification (MOC) through an ABMS member board during the relevant reporting period. For 2025 license renewal applicants, this reporting period is July 1, 2023 through the date a renewal application is submitted.
Option 4 One Full Year of ACGME Approved Training
A physician may satisfy all required CME hours except the 3-hour Board-approved Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training, formerly known as Drug Diversion Training and Best Practice Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training CME requirement by successful completion of one full year of ACGME approved postgraduate training during the reporting period. For 2025 license renewal applicants, this reporting period is July 1, 2023 through the date a renewal application is submitted.
