Podiatric Medical Board of California · DPM

50 hours. Every two years. Tied to your license anniversary.

Below is exactly what Podiatric Medical Board of California requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from PMBC~5 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed May 12, 2026

Mandatory topics

For Podiatrists, 50 hours is the total CME requirement. California also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 50-hour total.

Orthopedic[1]
12 hrs
Biennial
Minimum of 12 hours per biennial renewal period in subjects related to the lower extremity musculoskeletal system. Counts within (not in addition to) the 50-hour total.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Each doctor of podiatric medicine is required to complete 50 hours of approved continuing education, including a minimum of 12 hours in subjects related to the lower extremity muscular skeletal system, and one of the continuing competence pathways specified in Business and Professions Code Section 2496(a) through (h), during each two (2) year renewal period.”
16 CCR § 1399.669(a)See source [1] in Primary Sources
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Conditional requirements

These rules apply only when the trigger described under each card is met (for example, holding a state-issued controlled substance registration or treating a specific patient population). Each cites the underlying statute or rule directly.

ConditionalGeneral CME[1]
0 hrs
Biennial

Doctors of podiatric medicine must satisfy one continuing-competence pathway under Bus. & Prof. Code § 2496(a)–(h), including ABFAS or ABPM board certification, residency/fellowship completion, or other approved pathway.

View detailsEditorial summary
This is a structural-pathway requirement, not an additional CE hour mandate.
16 CCR § 1399.669(a); Bus. & Prof. Code § 2496See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, California 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 systemNotes
CPMA / APMA Approved
Programs approved by the California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) or the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and their affiliated organizations.Sourcehttps://www.pmbc.ca.gov/licensees/cmeprog.shtml[2]
AMA PRA Category 1
Programs approved for AMA Category 1 credit, the California Medical Association, or their affiliated organizations.Sourcehttps://www.pmbc.ca.gov/licensees/cmeprog.shtml[2]
AOA Approved
Programs approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and their affiliated organizations.Sourcehttps://www.pmbc.ca.gov/licensees/cmeprog.shtml[2]
Accredited School/College Programs
Programs offered by approved colleges or schools of podiatric medicine, medicine, or osteopathic medicine.Sourcehttps://www.pmbc.ca.gov/licensees/cmeprog.shtml[2]
Residency/Fellowship (50 hr block)
50–50 hrs
Completion of an approved residency or fellowship program credits 50 hours of CME (single-cycle credit).Sourcehttps://www.pmbc.ca.gov/licensees/cmeprog.shtml[2]
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

Waiver under 16 CCR § 1399.678 available to a DPM who cannot comply during a 2-year period; waiver application required.

FAQ
How many CE hours do California podiatrists need?
Fifty (50) hours per biennial renewal cycle, including a minimum of 12 hours in subjects related to the lower extremity musculoskeletal system. 16 CCR § 1399.669(a) is the controlling rule. Each renewal cycle, the DPM must also satisfy one of the continuing-competence pathways listed in Bus. & Prof. Code § 2496(a)–(h).
Are APMA-approved credits accepted in California?
Yes — APMA and California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) approved CME is the primary accepted credit type. The PMBC also accepts AMA Category 1 credit, California Medical Association credit, AOA-approved CME, and programs offered by accredited podiatric/medical/osteopathic colleges or schools. Completion of a residency or fellowship credits 50 hours of CME.
Are there mandatory CE topics for DPM renewal in California?
Yes — but only one. 16 CCR § 1399.669(a) requires at least 12 of the 50 biennial hours to be in lower-extremity musculoskeletal subjects, the highest podiatry-specific subspecialty CE floor in the U.S. There is no California opioid CE requirement at the PMBC level (the Medical Board's § 2190.5 pain CE applies to MDs, not DPMs). The federal MATE Act adds a one-time 8-hour SUD training for DEA-registered podiatrists.
Where can I check my California podiatry license renewal date?
The California Department of Consumer Affairs maintains a license search at search.dca.ca.gov, which displays current status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions for every California licensee — including DPMs. The Podiatric Medical Board of California's site (pmbc.ca.gov) also publishes renewal information and the link to the consumer-affairs license search.

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Sources & Citations

Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.

  1. Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 16, § 1399.669 — Continuing Competence Required
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30
    Show verbatim text
    “Each doctor of podiatric medicine is required to complete 50 hours of approved continuing education, including a minimum of 12 hours in subjects related to the lower extremity muscular skeletal system, and one of the continuing competence pathways specified in Business and Professions Code Section 2496(a) through (h), during each two (2) year renewal period.”16 CCR § 1399.669(a)
  2. Podiatric Medical Board of California — CME Programs
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-30

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CME requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Podiatric Medical Board of California, or any other state board of podiatry, licensing authority, or professional organization. Podiatrists are solely responsible for verifying their own current CME requirements directly with their state board of podiatry before relying on any information presented here.

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