Mandatory topics
Arkansas has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 20-hour total.
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Arkansas cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Accepted credit
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Arkansas Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.
| Credit system | Notes |
|---|---|
CPME / APMA Approved | CME approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association (CPME / APMA-approved).Sourcehttps://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Podiatry_Rule.pdf[1] |
State Podiatric Medical Association Meeting | Hours obtained at official meetings presented by any State Podiatric Medical Association.Sourcehttps://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Podiatry_Rule.pdf[1] |
AMA PRA Category 1 | Hours from meetings approved by the AMA Council on Medical Education are accepted as long as the hours pertain to the practice of podiatric medicine.Sourcehttps://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Podiatry_Rule.pdf[1] |
AOA Approved (podiatry-relevant) | Hours from meetings approved by the AOA Council on Osteopathic Medical Education, where the hours pertain to podiatric medicine.Sourcehttps://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Podiatry_Rule.pdf[1] |
Hospital Lectures | Hospital lectures pertaining to the practice of podiatric medicine.Sourcehttps://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Podiatry_Rule.pdf[1] |
Documentation & audit
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
Waivers & exemptions
Article VII(5): A full exemption from continuing education requirements is allowed for a deployed uniform service member or spouse until 180 days following the date of the uniformed service member's return from deployment.
FAQ
How many CE hours do Arkansas podiatrists need?
Twenty (20) hours per year, on an annual renewal cycle. Article VIII of the Arkansas Board of Podiatric Medicine Rules requires "twenty hours of approved continuing medical education within the year prior to the license renewal date." Reinstatement after lapse requires 20 hours per inactive year, capped at 100 hours.
Are APMA-approved credits accepted in Arkansas?
Yes — and APMA/CPME-approved CME is the primary accepted credit type. Article VIII(2)(A) recognizes "the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association" as the gold-standard approved source. State Podiatric Medical Association meetings, AMA-approved CME, AOA-approved CME, and hospital lectures all count if the content pertains to podiatric medicine.
Are there mandatory CE topics for DPM renewal in Arkansas?
No. Article VIII contains no mandatory topic carve-outs — no opioid CE, no abuse reporting, no human trafficking, no jurisprudence requirement at the state-board level. Arkansas does, however, impose strict PDMP-check rules on prescribing (Article X) and codifies the CDC chronic-pain guideline as a disciplinary standard (Article IX). The federal MATE Act adds a one-time 8-hour SUD training for all DEA registrants.
Where can I check my Arkansas podiatry license renewal date?
The Arkansas Board of Podiatric Medicine maintains licensee information at healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/podiatric-medicine-board, and Arkansas Department of Health license verification tools list active DPMs with their renewal status. Renewal applications are accepted annually; CE proof is filed alongside.