Michigan Board of Medicine · MD

150 hours. Every three years. Tied to your license expiration.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from MBM~8 min read
Licensed as a DO instead? Michigan has a separate osteopathic board. See Michigan DO CME requirements →

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated April 20, 2026

Mandatory topics

For physicians, 150 hours is the total CME requirement. Michigan also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 150-hour total.

Pain Management[1]
3 hrs
Triennial
Pain and symptom management — required of all physicians under MCL 333.17033 and implemented via Mich. Admin. Code R 338.2443(1)(c). Counts toward the 150-hour total and may count toward the 75-hour Category 1 minimum.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“A minimum of 3 hours of continuing education must be earned in pain and symptom management under section 17033(2) of the code, MCL 333.17033. At least 1 of the 3 hours must include controlled substances prescribing.”
Mich. Admin. Code R 338.2443(1)(c)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Implicit Bias[2]
2 hrs
One-time
Implicit bias training — initial licensure requirement under Mich. Admin. Code R 338.7004(1). Applies to first license renewal occurring after June 1, 2022 for existing licensees.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“minimum of 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years immediately preceding issuance of the license or registration.”
Mich. Admin. Code R 338.7004(1)See source [2] in Primary Sources
Implicit Bias[2]
3 hrs
Triennial
Implicit bias training — recurring renewal requirement under Mich. Admin. Code R 338.7004(2). Physicians on a 3-year cycle therefore complete 3 hours of implicit bias CME each renewal cycle. Per R 338.7004(2), unless prohibited this training may count toward other CE requirements for renewal, and R 338.2443(1)(e) confirms it counts toward the 150-hour total.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“shall have completed a minimum of 1 hour of implicit bias training for each year of the applicant's license or registration cycle.”
Mich. Admin. Code R 338.7004(2)See source [2] in Primary Sources
Legal & Risk Management[1]
1 hr
Triennial
At least 1 hour of continuing education must be earned in medical ethics per R 338.2443(1)(b) and MCL 333.17033(1). Applies to each triennial renewal cycle.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“A minimum of 1 hour of continuing education must be earned in medical ethics.”
Mich. Admin. Code R 338.2443(1)(b)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Human Trafficking[3]
Hrs vary
One-time
Per the MD Licensing Guide (rev. 1/26/2026). Layer 1 does not specify an hour count — tracked as hours: 0 with hoursUnspecified: true. Universal mandate tied to Administrative Rule 338.2413 (training standards under MCL 333.16148; no hour count specified).
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Licensees seeking renewal must certify on their renewal application that prior to renewing their license they have completed a one-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking that meets the standards in Administrative Rule 338.2413.”
MD Licensing Guide (rev. 1/26/2026), Renewal Requirements ChecklistSee source [3] 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[4]
Hrs vary
One-time

Controlled substance licensees or individuals licensed to prescribe or dispense controlled substances in Michigan

View sourceVerbatim from source
“A licensee who is renewing a controlled substance license shall complete the controlled substance training by the end of the first renewal cycle that begins after January 4, 2019.”
Mich. Admin. Code R 338.3135(4)(a) (one-time-by-deadline); training content standards at R 338.3135(1)See source [4] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Michigan 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
min 75 hrs
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit from ACCME-accredited providers satisfies the 75-hour minimum under R 338.2443(1)(d).SourceMich. Admin. Code R 338.2443(1)(d)[1]
Category 2 continuing education
max 75 hrs
Up to 75 of the 150 hours may be Category 2 (AMA PRA Category 2 Credit or equivalent non-Category-1 activities) per the MD Licensing Guide.SourceMich. Admin. Code R 338.2443(3)[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

Physicians NOT licensed during the full 3-year period immediately preceding renewal are not subject to the 150-hour requirement for that renewal — R 338.2441(2) scopes the CE obligation to applicants who have been licensed in the 3-year period immediately preceding the application for renewal.[8]

The board may waive the continuing education requirement. A waiver request must be submitted to the department for the board's consideration not less than 30 days before the last regularly scheduled board meeting before the license expiration date.[8]

FAQ
How many CME hours do Michigan physicians need?
Michigan physicians must complete 150 hours of continuing medical education every three years to renew with the Michigan Board of Medicine or the Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery.[5][6] MDs must earn at least 75 of those hours as Category 1 credit,[1] while DOs must earn at least 60 hours as Category 1 credit. AMA PRA Category 1 Credit satisfies Category 1 for MDs; AOA-approved programs satisfy Category 1 for DOs. The remainder of the 150 hours may be Category 2: self-study, journal review, and other informal activities.
Are there mandatory CME topics in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan physicians must complete 3 hours of pain and symptom management training per renewal cycle, with at least 1 hour on controlled substance prescribing.[1] They must also complete implicit bias training: 2 hours one-time at the first renewal after June 1, 2022, and then 1 hour per year of license cycle thereafter — 3 hours per renewal for physicians on a 3-year cycle.[2] At least 1 hour of medical ethics CE is required per triennial cycle.[1] A one-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking is also required.[3] DEA-registered Michigan physicians must additionally complete the federal MATE Act 8-hour one-time substance use disorder training.
Where can I check my Michigan medical license renewal date?
Michigan's online licensing services portal at michigan.gov/lara provides license verification and renewal status.[7] Search by name or license number to confirm your registration status and expiration date. Renewal is triennial and tied to the individual license expiration date rather than a calendar deadline, so every Michigan physician has their own renewal due date.
What is the Michigan implicit bias CME requirement?
Michigan requires every licensed physician to complete implicit bias training.[2] The initial-licensure rule requires 2 hours of implicit bias training in the 5 years preceding issuance of the license. At each renewal, the licensee must complete 1 hour of implicit bias training for each year of the license cycle — 3 hours per renewal for physicians on Michigan's standard 3-year cycle. The course must address bias awareness, equitable access to healthcare, and strategies for reducing bias in clinical practice. Approved providers include nationally-recognized health organizations, accredited colleges or universities, and organizations specializing in diversity and inclusion.
Do DOs and MDs follow the same CME rules in Michigan?
Mostly. Michigan licenses MDs through the Board of Medicine and DOs through the separate Board of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery, and both boards require 150 hours of CME every three years. Both apply the same topic mandates: 3 hours of pain and symptom management (with 1 hour on controlled substance prescribing), 1 hour of medical ethics, 3 hours of implicit bias training (1 hour per year of the cycle), and a one-time human trafficking training. The one codified structural difference is the Category 1 floor: MDs must earn at least 75 Category 1 hours,[1] while DOs must earn at least 60 Category 1 hours. Mich. Admin. Code R 338.98 adopts AOA CME standards by reference, so AOA-approved programs count as board Category 1 credit for DOs.
Do Michigan MDs and DOs have different CME requirements?
The difference is narrow but codified. Michigan licenses DOs through the Board of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery (BOMS),[6] separately from the Board of Medicine that regulates MDs. Both require 150 hours of CME every three years with the same mandatory topics (pain/symptom management, medical ethics, implicit bias, human trafficking). The only structural difference is the Category 1 floor: MDs must earn at least 75 Category 1 hours;[1] DOs must earn at least 60 Category 1 hours. Mich. Admin. Code R 338.98 adopts AOA CME standards by reference, so AOA-approved programs qualify as board Category 1 credit for DOs without a separate numeric AOA minimum. See [DO board requirements](/cme-requirements/michigan/osteopathic) for the complete osteopathic requirements.

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Other roles in Michigan

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. Mich. Admin. Code R 338.2443 — Acceptable Continuing Education (Board of Medicine)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
    Show verbatim text
    “A minimum of 75 continuing education credits must be obtained through category 1 programs listed in subrule (2) of this rule.”Mich. Admin. Code R 338.2443(1)(d)
    “A minimum of 3 hours of continuing education must be earned in pain and symptom management under section 17033(2) of the code, MCL 333.17033. At least 1 of the 3 hours must include controlled substances prescribing.”Mich. Admin. Code R 338.2443(1)(c)
    “A minimum of 1 hour of continuing education must be earned in medical ethics.”Mich. Admin. Code R 338.2443(1)(b)
  2. Mich. Admin. Code R 338.7004 — Implicit Bias Training Standards
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
    Show verbatim text
    “An individual applying for licensure or registration renewal, reregistration, or relicensure under article 15 of the code, MCL 333.16101 to 333.18838, except those licensed under part 188 of the code, MCL 333.18801 to 333.18838, shall have completed a minimum of 1 hour of implicit bias training for each year of the applicant's license or registration cycle.”Mich. Admin. Code R 338.7004(2) · Effective 2023-03-23
    “minimum of 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years immediately preceding issuance of the license or registration.”Mich. Admin. Code R 338.7004(1)
    “shall have completed a minimum of 1 hour of implicit bias training for each year of the applicant's license or registration cycle.”Mich. Admin. Code R 338.7004(2)
  3. Michigan MD Licensing Guide and FAQs (rev. 1/26/2026)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-17
    Show verbatim text
    “Licensees seeking renewal must certify on their renewal application that prior to renewing their license they have completed a one-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking that meets the standards in Administrative Rule 338.2413.”MD Licensing Guide (rev. 1/26/2026), Renewal Requirements Checklist
  4. Mich. Admin. Code R 338.3135 — Opioids and Controlled Substances Awareness Training
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
    Show verbatim text
    “Applicants for or those renewing controlled substance licenses must complete opioids and controlled substances awareness training meeting these standards: (a) Training content must cover: (i) Utilizing the MAPS. (ii) State and federal laws regarding prescribing and dispensing controlled substances.”Mich. Admin. Code R 338.3135(1)
    “A licensee who is renewing a controlled substance license shall complete the controlled substance training by the end of the first renewal cycle that begins after January 4, 2019.”Mich. Admin. Code R 338.3135(4)(a) (one-time-by-deadline); training content standards at R 338.3135(1)
  5. MCL 333.17033 — Physician Continuing Education; License Renewal Requirements
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
    Show verbatim text
    “Notwithstanding the requirements of part 161, the board may require a licensee seeking renewal of a license to furnish the board with satisfactory evidence that during the 3 years immediately preceding application for renewal the licensee has attended continuing education courses or programs approved by the board totaling not less than 150 hours in subjects related to the practice of medicine including, but not limited to, medical ethics and designed to further educate licensees.”MCL 333.17033(1)
  6. MCL 333.17533 — Osteopathic Physician Continuing Education; License Renewal Requirements
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-18
    Show verbatim text
    “Notwithstanding the requirements of part 161, the board may require a licensee seeking renewal of a license to furnish the board with satisfactory evidence that during the 3 years immediately preceding an application for renewal the licensee has attended continuing education courses or programs approved by the board and totaling not less than 150 hours in subjects related to the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery and designed to further educate licensees.”MCL 333.17533(1)
  7. Michigan Board of Medicine — LARA
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
  8. Mich. Admin. Code R 338.2441 — Physician License Renewal; CE Hours Required
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-17
    Show verbatim text
    “An applicant for license renewal who has been licensed in the 3-year period immediately preceding the application for renewal shall accumulate a minimum of 150 hours of continuing education in activities approved under R 338.2443 during the 3 years immediately preceding the application for renewal.”Mich. Admin. Code R 338.2441(2)

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 Michigan Board of Medicine, 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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