Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine (BORIM) · MD

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

A source-verified guide to Massachusetts's CME requirements for physicians — hours, mandatory topics, audit rules, and exemptions.

Updated April 2026Sourced from MBRM(~7 min read

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated July 8, 2026

Mandatory topics

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

Legal & Risk Management[1]
10 hrs
Biennial
Risk management umbrella requirement (10 credits biennial). Under the 2018 Pilot Program the Board permits this block to be Category 1 or 2 (no category tracking), and several nested mandates — opioid education, implicit bias, end-of-life care, and regulations study — count within the 10 hours rather than on top of them. Universal mandate. Sub-constraint under 243 CMR 2.06(6)(a)4: at least 2 of these 10 credits must be in either Category 1 or 2 studying 243 CMR 1.00 through 3.00 (Board regulations study). Quote: "Two credits in either Category 1 or 2 studying 243 CMR 1.00 through 3.00."
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Ten credits studying risk management, as defined in 243 CMR 2.01(3), at least four of which shall be in Category 1.”
243 CMR 2.06(6)(a)3See source [1] in Primary Sources
Cultural Competency & Health Equity[2]
2 hrs
Biennial
Effective June 1, 2022. Counts toward the 10-hour risk management requirement. Not codified in 243 CMR 2.06 as scraped; operative source is the BORIM CME Requirements PDF. Universal mandate.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Implicit Bias Training(required for applicationsreceived on or after6/1/2022)2 credits which apply towards Risk Management”
BORIM CME Requirements PDF (eff. 6/1/2022)See source [2] in Primary Sources
Palliative Care[1]
2 hrs
One-time
One-time career requirement. End-of-life care hours may be applied toward the 10-hour risk management block. Universal mandate.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“the Board shall require that a licensee participate once in at least two credits of either Category 1 or 2 continuing medical education studying end-of-life care issues”
243 CMR 2.06(6)(b)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Domestic Violence[1]
Hrs vary
One-time
Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Training required once as a condition of licensure, renewal, revival, or reinstatement, per M.G.L. c. 112, § 264. The Board, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, identifies approved programs. Not a recurring biennial requirement — satisfied once per career. Neither 243 CMR 2.06(6)(e) nor 2.02(2)(j) specifies a contact-hour count (attestation-based, no statutory minimum).
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Training. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 264, applicants and licensees shall participate in Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Training once as a condition for licensure, renewal, revival or reinstatement of licensure. The Board, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, will identify programs or courses of study that meet the standards required by this provision and”
243 CMR 2.06(6)(e); 243 CMR 2.02(2)(j) (initial licensure) — 'This is a one-time training requirement' (both copies)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Abuse Reporting & Mandatory Reporter[1]
Hrs vary
One-time
Child Abuse and Neglect Training (mandated reporter training) required once, as a condition of licensure, renewal, revival, or reinstatement, per M.G.L. c. 119, § 51A(k). May be satisfied via medical-school/postgraduate training, hospital-sponsored programs, CME on identifying/reporting child abuse and neglect, a Board-approved online program, or a specialized certification. Not a recurring biennial requirement — satisfied once per career. No statutory contact-hour count (attestation-based). Applies to both MDs and DOs (joint BORIM licensure).
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Child Abuse and Neglect Training. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 119, § 51A(k), applicants and licensees shall complete training in recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect. Physicians may comply with the training requirement by: receiving training in child abuse and neglect assessment in medical school education or postgraduate training; completing a hospital-sponsored training program in recognizing the signs of child abuse and neglect; completing CME in identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect; completing a Board-approved online training program or completing a specialized certification.”
243 CMR 2.02(1)(q)/(2)(l) (initial licensure); 243 CMR 2.06(6)(g) (renewal — same requirement, 'This is a one-time training requirement')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.

ConditionalOpioid/Substance Use[1]
3 hrs
Biennial

Physicians who prescribe controlled substances

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Three credits of opioid education and pain management training shall be required of licensees when they biennially renew their licenses.”
243 CMR 2.06(6)(d)See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalAlzheimer's Disease & Dementia[2]
1 hr
One-time

Physicians whose practice includes adult patients

View sourceVerbatim from source
“REQUIRED ONLYifserving adultpopulations and notcompleted previously”
BORIM CME Requirements PDF (Alzheimer's/dementia, adult populations)See source [2] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Massachusetts 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
AMA PRA Category 1
ACCME-accredited providers. Under the 2018 Pilot Program, all 50 credits may be Category 1 or 2 with no category-split tracking required.Source243 CMR 2.06(6)(a)1[3]
AOA Category 1-A
AOA Category 1-A accepted. Massachusetts licenses MDs and DOs jointly under BORIM, so both credit systems apply.Source243 CMR 2.06(6)(a)1[3]
AAFP Prescribed
AAFP Prescribed credit accepted as equivalent to ACCME Category 1.Source243 CMR 2.06(6)(a)1[3]
Category 2 self-directed activities
Up to 60 Category 2 credits permitted per cycle. Point-of-care learning (journal reading, clinical reference use during patient care) may be claimed at 1 credit per hour as Category 1 or 2 under the 2018 Pilot Program.Source243 CMR 2.06(6)(a)2[3]
Board-approved credit
State medical society CME recognized by ACCME is accepted. Board may also certify any activity for Category 1 or 2 credit by majority vote.Source243 CMR 2.06(6)(h)3[3]
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

Per 243 CMR 2.06(f): Physicians who hold a limited license are exempt from the continuing medical education requirements.[3]

Per 243 CMR 2.06(f): Physicians on inactive license status are exempt from CME requirements during the period of inactivity.[3]

Per 243 CMR 2.06(f): Physicians enrolled in an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency or fellowship program are exempt from CME requirements during the period of their training.[3]

Per 243 CMR 2.06(f): Physicians on active military duty or engaged in response to a national emergency are exempt from CME requirements during that service.[3]

FAQ
How many CME hours do Massachusetts physicians need?
Massachusetts physicians licensed by the Board of Registration in Medicine must complete 50 credit hours of continuing medical education during each two-year renewal cycle, with 10 of those 50 hours specifically in risk management.[3][4] The rule applies to both MDs and DOs. Several topic-specific requirements, including opioid education, implicit bias, and regulations study, count within the 10-hour risk management block rather than being added on top of it.
Are there mandatory CME topics in Massachusetts?
Yes, and the list is one of the most substantial in the country. Within the 10-hour risk management block, physicians who prescribe controlled substances must complete at least 3 hours of opioid education and pain management,[3] all physicians must complete at least 2 hours on implicit bias in healthcare,[2] and at least 2 hours must be spent studying the Board of Registration in Medicine regulations.[3] One-time career requirements include end-of-life care (2 hours), Alzheimer's and dementia training (for physicians serving adults), child abuse and neglect reporting training, DPH-approved domestic and sexual violence training, and demonstration of Electronic Health Records proficiency.[3][2]
How does the Massachusetts risk management requirement work?
The risk management requirement is an umbrella category.[4] Physicians must earn at least 10 credits per biennial cycle in content that qualifies as risk management, but the definition is broad. Acceptable topics include medical ethics, quality assurance, patient safety, opioid education, implicit bias, end-of-life care, and study of the BORIM regulations. Several topic-specific requirements nest inside the 10-hour block, so a physician who thoughtfully plans can satisfy multiple mandates through a single course rather than treating each as a separate obligation.
Where can I check my Massachusetts medical license renewal date?
Massachusetts license lookup is available at checkalicense.hhs.mass.gov. Search by name or license number to confirm your current status and expiration date. Renewal notices are sent to the physician's address of record, but the licensee bears responsibility for tracking the renewal date and completing CME before the deadline.
Does Massachusetts count journal reading toward CME?
Yes. Massachusetts is unusual in allowing physicians to earn one CME credit per hour through journal reading or point-of-care resource consultation during patient care delivery, provided the activity is documented.[4] These hours count toward the 50-hour biennial total, though they generally cannot be used for the risk management block unless the content is explicitly risk management in nature. This point-of-care allowance gives Massachusetts physicians a sensible way to convert routine clinical research into tracked educational time.
Do Massachusetts MDs and DOs have different CME requirements?
No. Massachusetts does not maintain a separate osteopathic licensing board — DOs and MDs are both licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine (BORIM) and subject to the same CME requirements (50 hours per renewal cycle).[3]

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Other roles in Massachusetts

Physicians CME requirements in other states

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. https://www.mass.gov/doc/243-cmr-2-licensing-and-the-practice-of-medicine-0/download
    Source
    Show verbatim text
    “Ten credits studying risk management, as defined in 243 CMR 2.01(3), at least four of which shall be in Category 1.”243 CMR 2.06(6)(a)3
    “the Board shall require that a licensee participate once in at least two credits of either Category 1 or 2 continuing medical education studying end-of-life care issues”243 CMR 2.06(6)(b)
    “Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Training. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 264, applicants and licensees shall participate in Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Training once as a condition for licensure, renewal, revival or reinstatement of licensure. The Board, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, will identify programs or courses of study that meet the standards required by this provision and”243 CMR 2.06(6)(e); 243 CMR 2.02(2)(j) (initial licensure) — 'This is a one-time training requirement' (both copies)
    “Child Abuse and Neglect Training. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 119, § 51A(k), applicants and licensees shall complete training in recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect. Physicians may comply with the training requirement by: receiving training in child abuse and neglect assessment in medical school education or postgraduate training; completing a hospital-sponsored training program in recognizing the signs of child abuse and neglect; completing CME in identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect; completing a Board-approved online training program or completing a specialized certification.”243 CMR 2.02(1)(q)/(2)(l) (initial licensure); 243 CMR 2.06(6)(g) (renewal — same requirement, 'This is a one-time training requirement')
    “Three credits of opioid education and pain management training shall be required of licensees when they biennially renew their licenses.”243 CMR 2.06(6)(d)
  2. Board of Registration in Medicine CME Requirements (PDF)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-13
    Show verbatim text
    “Implicit Bias Training(required for applicationsreceived on or after6/1/2022)2 credits which apply towards Risk Management”BORIM CME Requirements PDF (eff. 6/1/2022) · Effective 2022-06-01
    “REQUIRED ONLYifserving adultpopulations and notcompleted previously”BORIM CME Requirements PDF (Alzheimer's/dementia, adult populations)
  3. 243 CMR 2.06 — License Renewals and CME (Cornell LII)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
    Show verbatim text
    “each licensee shall obtain no fewer than 100 continuing medical education (CME) credits during each two year period … 1. Category 1. Not less than 40 CME credits … 3. Risk Management Continuing Medical Education Courses. Ten credits studying risk management, as defined in 243 CMR 2.01(3), at least four of which shall be in Category 1. 4. Review of Board Regulations. Two credits in either Category 1 or 2 studying 243 CMR 1.00 through 3.00. … the Board shall require that a licensee participate once in at least two credits of either Category 1 or 2 continuing medical education studying end-of-life care issues as a condition for renewal, revival or reinstatement of licensure. … Renewing licensees who prescribe controlled substances … shall, as a prerequisite to renewing a medical license, complete three credits in pain management training … Three credits of opioid education and pain management training shall be required of licensees when they biennially renew their licenses.”243 CMR 2.06
  4. Continuing Medical Education Pilot Program (BORIM FAQ)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-17
    Show verbatim text
    “Total Credits: 100 CME Credits, 40% in Category 1 | Jan. 1, 2018 Requirement: 50 CME Credits, either Category 1 or 2. … Physicians may claim 1 credit for each hour of reading a journal or a point of care resource accessed in the process of delivering patient care or updating clinical knowledge. These POC learning credits may be either Category 1 or 2 credits.”BORIM CME Pilot Program · Effective 2018-01-01

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 Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine (BORIM), or any other state medical board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Physicians are solely responsible for verifying their own current CME requirements directly with their state medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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