Delaware CME Requirements for Osteopathic Physicians (DO)

Mandatory topics

For osteopathic physicians, 40 hours is the total CME requirement. Delaware also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 40-hour total.

Abuse Reporting[1]

1 hr

Biennial

Required of all Board-licensed professionals, including DOs. Effective January 1, 2025, satisfied by either a 1-hour 'Mandatory Reporting for Medical Professionals' course (first licensure period) or a 30-minute refresher plus a 30-minute advanced supplemental course (Abusive Head Trauma, Pediatric Drug Exposures, Medical Neglect, or Sentinel Injuries). Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit by the Medical Society of Delaware.

View detailsEditorial summary

DPR Mandatory TrainingSee source [1] in Primary Sources

Alzheimer’s & dementia[2]

2 hrs

One-time

Applies to professionals renewing in 2027 or later. Once you've completed this training in any prior reporting period, you're permanently exempt upon sworn attestation — making this effectively a one-time lifetime requirement. Prior training completed for another state licensure, professional certification, or institutional practice agreement also counts.

View sourceVerbatim from source

“(3) For professionals renewing their license after 2027, the Board must require that the professional have completed at least 2 hours of the total required during that reporting period of continuing education dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, or care of patients with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.”

24 Del. C. § 1713(d)(3)See source [2] in Primary Sources

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Delaware cycle automatically. Start tracking free →

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.

ConditionalOpioid / controlled substances[3]

2 hrs

Biennial

DOs holding a Delaware Controlled Substance Registration under Title 16 Ch. 47

View sourceVerbatim from source

“3.1.3 All practitioners must attest to completion of two hours of continuing education biennially in the areas of controlled substance prescribing practices, treatment of chronic pain, or other topics related to the prescribing of controlled substances.”

CSAC Reg § 3.1.3See source [3] in Primary Sources

Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Delaware 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
AMA PRA Category 1	Delaware does not require a minimum split between AMA PRA Category 1 and AOA credit — any combination satisfies the 40-hour total.Source`§ 1700-12.1`[4]
AOA Category 1-A DOs only	AOA-approved equivalent courses are accepted. Delaware uses a single unified Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline for both MDs and DOs, and the Board's administrative rule (§ 1700-12.0) treats AMA Category I and AOA Category 1 as equivalents rather than imposing a minimum ratio.Source`§ 1700-12.1`[4]
Board-approved credit	Medical Society of Delaware-certified programs accepted per the Board's mandatory training framework.Source`§ 1700-12.1`[4]

Documentation & audit

The Board conducts random audits.[4] Documentation must show name, course title, provider, dates, and hours attended. Upload certificates only when selected for audit. Documentation should be retained for the full two-year period.

Waivers & exemptions

First-renewal reduced requirement: a physician who is renewing for the first time and has been licensed to practice medicine in Delaware for more than 1 year must complete 20 hours of continuing medical education in Category I courses approved by the AMA or equivalent AOA courses.[5] This is half the normal 40-hour total, not a full exemption.

First-renewal zero-hours exemption: a physician who is renewing for the first time and has been licensed to practice medicine in Delaware for less than 1 year is not required to meet any continuing medical education requirements until the time of the next subsequent renewal of his or her registration.[5]

Residency and fellowship training: individuals enrolled in approved medical or osteopathic resident or fellowship training programs may be requested to submit proof of satisfactory participation in lieu of approved continuing medical education credits.[5]

Good-cause waiver: the Board may, upon application from the physician, waive the CME requirements for good cause shown — lack of compliance due to causes beyond the physician's control.[5]

DOs who do not provide health care services to or have direct patient interactions with adults age 26 or older are exempt from the Alzheimer's/dementia CE requirement.[2] Requires sworn attestation on a DPR-approved form.

DOs who do not provide health care services to anyone within the State of Delaware are exempt from the Alzheimer's/dementia CE requirement.[2] Requires sworn attestation on a DPR-approved form.

FAQ

How many CME hours do Delaware DOs need?

Delaware DOs licensed by the Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline must complete 40 hours of approved continuing medical education every two years.[5] The reporting period is a fixed statewide biennium running from April 1 of an odd-numbered year through March 31 of the next odd year.[6] DOs and MDs follow the same 40-hour standard because Delaware uses a single unified board for both degree types, and the rule accepts AOA Category 1 as an equivalent of AMA PRA Category 1 without imposing a minimum ratio between the two.[5]

Are there mandatory CME topics in Delaware for DOs?

Yes, but they come from three separate Delaware authorities rather than the Board's main CME rule. First, all Delaware DOs must complete at least 1 hour of child abuse recognition and reporting training per renewal cycle under the Division of Professional Regulation's Mandatory Training requirement.[1] Second, beginning with the 2027 renewal cycle, DOs must complete 2 hours of Alzheimer's/dementia CE.[2] The Alzheimer's requirement is effectively a one-time lifetime obligation: prior completion in any earlier reporting period exempts the DO by sworn attestation.[2] DOs with no adult patient contact (age 26+) or no Delaware practice may also attest out.[2] Third, DOs holding a Delaware Controlled Substance Registration must complete 2 hours biennially in controlled-substance prescribing, chronic pain, or related topics[3] — a prescribing-conditional requirement that applies only to CSR holders. The main CME rule still imposes only the 40-hour Category I total with no topic carve-outs of its own.[5]

Does Delaware have a new-licensee CME exemption for DOs?

Yes. A DO renewing for the first time who has been licensed in Delaware for more than 1 year must complete 20 hours (half the normal 40) in AMA Category I or equivalent AOA courses.[5] A DO renewing for the first time who has been licensed in Delaware for less than 1 year is not required to meet any continuing medical education requirements until the next subsequent renewal.[5] The full 40-hour biennial requirement applies at the second renewal and beyond.

Where can I check my Delaware DO license renewal date?

The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation operates the DELPROS license lookup at delpros.delaware.gov/OH_VerifyLicense. Search by name or license number to confirm your status, expiration date, and any outstanding items. Because Delaware uses a fixed statewide biennium, your renewal date will fall on March 31 of an odd-numbered year regardless of when you were initially licensed.[6]

Do MDs and DOs follow different CME rules in Delaware?

No. Delaware does not maintain a separate osteopathic licensing board — DOs and MDs are both licensed by the Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline and subject to the same CME requirements (40 hours per biennial renewal cycle).[5] The Board accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit and AOA Category 1 Credit as equivalents, and does not require a specific ratio between them. DOs owe the same 1-hour biennial child abuse reporting training as MDs,[1] the same 2-hour Alzheimer's CE (effective 2027 renewals),[2] and the same 2-hour biennial controlled-substance CE if holding a Delaware CSR.[3]

40 hours. Every two years. Same unified board as MDs.

Never miss a Delaware CME deadline.

Sources & Citations