New Jersey CME Requirements for Physicians

Mandatory topics

For physicians, 100 hours is the total CME requirement. New Jersey also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 100-hour total.

Opioid/Substance Use[1]

1 hr

Biennial

One Category 1 credit on prescription opioid drugs — responsible prescribing, alternatives to opioids, and risks and signs of abuse, addiction, and diversion. Universal mandate applying to all physicians regardless of prescribing status. Counts toward the 40-hour Category 1 minimum.

View sourceVerbatim from source

“one of the 40 credits in Category I courses shall, pursuant to P.L. 2017, c. 28, be in programs or topics concerning prescription opioid drugs, including responsible prescribing practices, alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain,”

N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.15(d)See source [1] in Primary Sources

Palliative Care[1]

2 hrs

Biennial

Two Category 1 credits in end-of-life care. Universal mandate. Counts toward the 40-hour Category 1 minimum.

View sourceVerbatim from source

“two of the 40 credits in Category I courses shall, pursuant to P.L. 2011, c. 145 (N.J.S.A. 45:9-7.7), be in programs or topics related to end-of-life care.”

N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.15(c)See source [1] in Primary Sources

Professional Boundaries & Conduct[1]

2 hrs

Biennial

Two Category 1 credits on sexual misconduct prevention, covering informed consent, patient support, power dynamics, reporting protocols, bystander intervention, and human trafficking identification. Universal mandate effective July 1, 2025.

View sourceVerbatim from source

“two credit hours in Category I courses shall be in programs or topics related to sexual misconduct prevention.”

N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.15(e)See source [1] in Primary Sources

Cultural Competency & Health Equity[2]

6 hrs

One-time

One-time 6-hour cultural competency training as a prerequisite for licensure. NJ medical school graduates after March 2005 are presumed to have completed equivalent training and do not need to complete it separately.

View detailsEditorial summary

P.L. 2005 c.233See source [2] in Primary Sources

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your New Jersey 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.

ConditionalImplicit Bias[1]

1 hr

Biennial

Physicians providing perinatal care

View sourceVerbatim from source

“for a licensee who provides perinatal treatment and care to pregnant persons, one of the 40 credits in Category I courses shall, pursuant to P.L. 2021, c. 79, consist of evidence-based training in explicit and implicit bias”

N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.15(r)See source [1] in Primary Sources

Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, New Jersey 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 40 hrs	At least 40 of the 100 hours must be AMA PRA Category 1 Credit or equivalent.Source`N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.15(b)`[1]
AOA Category 1-A DOs only	AOA Category 1-A accepted as Category 1 equivalent for DOs. NJ jointly licenses MDs and DOs.Source`N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.15(a) (Category I definition recognizes AOA)`[1]
AOA Category 2 DOs only	AOA Category 2-A accepted.Source`N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.15(a)-(b) (Category II may total up to 60 of the 100)`[1]
Category 2 self-directed activities max 60 hrs	Up to 60 of the 100 hours may be Category 2 (self-study, journal review, informal activities). The 60-hour ceiling is the 100-minus-40 remainder of subsection (b), not a separately stated cap.Source`N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.15(b) (100 total, ≥40 Cat I → ≤60 Cat II remainder)`[1]

Documentation & audit

Documentation must be retained for six years after completion. The Board may audit for compliance and falsification of renewal applications is grounds for penalties or suspension.

Waivers & exemptions

Newly licensed physicians may receive a partial waiver for their first renewal cycle if licensed mid-cycle.

Physicians who graduated from a New Jersey medical school after March 2005 are presumed to have completed cultural competency training as part of medical education and do not need to complete the 6-hour course separately.[2]

Per N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.15(i): Licensees who hold an inactive license are exempt from CME requirements during the period of inactivity. Upon returning to active practice, the physician must have completed 50 CME credits for each year of inactive status (to a maximum of 100 credits total) before the license may be reactivated.[1]

FAQ

How many CME hours do New Jersey physicians need?

New Jersey physicians must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years to renew with the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners.[1] At least 40 of those hours must be AMA PRA Category 1 Credit (or AOA Category 1-A/2-A for DOs). The remaining 60 may be Category 2, which includes self-study, journal review, and other informal activities.

Are there mandatory CME topics in New Jersey?

Yes. New Jersey rule requires four biennial topic mandates, all Category 1: (1) 1 hour on prescription opioid drugs (effective 7/1/2017, CARE Act); (2) 2 hours on end-of-life care (effective 7/1/2013); (3) 2 hours on sexual misconduct prevention including human trafficking identification (effective 7/1/2025); and (4) 1 hour of perinatal bias training for physicians providing perinatal care (effective 7/1/2025).[1] All mandatory topic hours count within the 40-hour Category 1 minimum. New Jersey also requires a one-time 6-hour cultural competency course.[2] DEA-registered physicians must complete the federal MATE Act 8-hour one-time training.

Where can I check my New Jersey medical license renewal date?

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs maintains an online license verification system at newjersey.mylicense.com/verification. Search by name or license number to confirm your registration status and expiration date. The biennial renewal cycle is tied to the physician's individual license issuance date, though most New Jersey physician licenses expire on June 30 of even-numbered years.

What is the New Jersey CARE Act CME requirement?

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery and Education (CARE) Act requires every licensed New Jersey physician to complete 1 hour of CME on prescription opioid drugs in each biennial renewal cycle.[3][1] The course must address responsible prescribing, alternatives to opioids, and the signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion. The 1 hour must be earned fresh in each cycle and applies to all physicians regardless of whether they actively prescribe controlled substances.

Do DOs and MDs follow the same CME rules in New Jersey?

Yes. New Jersey licenses MDs and DOs jointly through the State Board of Medical Examiners, and the same 100-hour rule, 40-hour Category 1 minimum, and topic mandates apply to both.[1] The only practical difference is the form of Category 1 credit accepted: MDs typically use AMA PRA Category 1 Credit, while DOs may use AOA Category 1-A or 2-A credit.

Do New Jersey MDs and DOs have different CME requirements?

No. New Jersey does not maintain a separate osteopathic licensing board — DOs and MDs are both licensed by the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners and subject to the same CME requirements (100 hours per renewal cycle).

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

Never miss a New Jersey CME deadline.

Other roles in New Jersey

Sources & Citations

Never miss a New Jersey CME deadline.

Other roles in New Jersey

Physicians CME requirements in other states

Sources & Citations