A source-verified guide to Kentucky's CME requirements for physicians — hours, mandatory topics, audit rules, and exemptions.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 17, 2026
Kentucky has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 60-hour total.
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.
Physicians authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances in Kentucky
“A minimum of 4.5 hours required for physicians who are authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances in Kentucky. This CME is required every three year (3) CME cycle period.”
Pediatricians, radiologists, family practitioners, and emergency medicine or urgent care physicians
“Pediatricians, radiologists, family practitioners, and emergency medicine/urgent care physicians must complete 1 hour of training on this subject prior to December 31, 2017.”
Primary care physicians granted initial Kentucky licensure after July 1, 1996
“Primary care physicians, who are granted licensure after July 1, 1996, are required to successfully complete a 3 hour domestic violence training course within 3 years of the date of initial licensure.”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Kentucky 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 min 30 hrs | At least 30 of the 60 triennial hours must be AMA or AOA Category 1. AMA PRA Category 1 Credit from ACCME-accredited providers is the primary pathway.SourceKBML CME page[1] |
AOA Category 1-A | AOA Category 1 is accepted equivalently to AMA Category 1. KBML licenses MDs and DOs jointly under a single unified board.SourceKBML CME page[1] |
Category 2 self-directed activities max 30 hrs | Up to 30 Category II hours count toward the 60-hour triennial total. Category II includes self-instruction, audiovisual materials, consultation, database use, patient care review, self-assessment, teaching, articles, and books.SourceKBML CME page — Category II[1] |
ABMS Maintenance of Certification | ABMS board certification or recertification during the three-year cycle substitutes for the full 60-hour requirement.SourceKBML CME page — Alternative Compliance[1] |
AOA Maintenance of Certification DOs only | AOA board certification/recertification is accepted equivalently to ABMS. Counts as 60 hours of CME credit.SourceKBML CME page — Alternative Compliance[1] |
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
No blanket exemption exists for retired physicians who hold an active license — retired physicians who maintain licensure must still comply with the full CME requirement.
Physicians may request a hardship extension from the Board rather than a full exemption.
Physicians completing an ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program may credit 50 hours per year of full-time training or 25 hours per year of part-time training toward the requirement.
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your your license anniversary renewal.
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.
“All physicians who maintain an active Kentucky medical or osteopathic license are required to complete 60 hours of CME every three years, with 30 hours being certified in AMA or AOA Category 1. The remaining hours may be in Category I or II.”KBML CME page
“A minimum of 4.5 hours required for physicians who are authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances in Kentucky. This CME is required every three year (3) CME cycle period.”KBML CME page; HB 1 (2012)
“Pediatricians, radiologists, family practitioners, and emergency medicine/urgent care physicians must complete 1 hour of training on this subject prior to December 31, 2017.”KBML CME page; HB 157 (2014)
“Primary care physicians, who are granted licensure after July 1, 1996, are required to successfully complete a 3 hour domestic violence training course within 3 years of the date of initial licensure.”KBML CME page; domestic violence