Washington CME Requirements for Physicians

Mandatory topics

For physicians, 200 hours is the total CME requirement. Washington also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 200-hour total.

Cultural competency[1]

2 hrs

Quadrennial

Universal for all Washington physicians — every four years, not every two. Course content must include implicit bias training, individual and system-level interventions with self-reflection, cultural competency skills for diverse patient populations, and ability to apply health equity concepts. Counts within the 200-hour total.

View sourceVerbatim from source

“a minimum of two hours in health equity continuing education”

WAC 246-12-820See source [1] in Primary Sources

Suicide prevention[2]

6 hrs

One-time

One-time only — can be split across multiple sessions. Training must be on the DOH model list developed under RCW 43.70.442. Physicians with only brief, limited, or no patient contact are exempt. Hours count toward (not in addition to) the 200-hour total.

View sourceVerbatim from source

“A licensed physician...must complete a one-time training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. The training must be at least six hours in length...”

WAC 246-919-435(1)See source [2] in Primary Sources

Opioid / controlled substances[3]

1 hr

One-time

One-time only, applies only to physicians who prescribe opioids. Must be completed by the end of your first full CE reporting period after initial licensure. Hours count toward (not in addition to) the 200-hour total.

View sourceVerbatim from source

“To prescribe an opioid in Washington state, a physician licensed to prescribe opioids shall complete a one-time continuing education requirement...The continuing education must be at least one hour in length.”

WAC 246-919-875(1)See source [3] in Primary Sources

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

Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Washington 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	All 200 hours may be Category I — there is no minimum or cap that forces you into other categories. AMA PRA Category 1 Credit from ACCME-accredited providers qualifies.Source`WAC 246-919-460(2)`[4]
AOA Category 1-A DOs only	AOA Category 1-A credit is accepted Category I equivalent under the accredited-sponsorship standard.Source`https://wmc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/documents/657-128.pdf`[4]
Category II–V non-accredited activities max 80 hrs	Category II (non-accredited sponsorship, max 80 hrs), Category III (teaching of physicians or allied health professionals, max 80 hrs), Category IV (books/papers/publications/exhibits, max 80 hrs with 10-hr-per-paper cap; medical editing NOT accepted), Category V (self-directed activities including self-assessment, self-instruction, specialty board exam prep, quality of care/utilization review, max 80 hrs). Each non-Category-I category independently capped at 80 hours.Source`WAC 246-919-450 and 246-919-460`[4]

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

In lieu of the 200 hours of continuing medical education, the commission will accept a current Physician's Recognition Award from the American Medical Association or a current certificate from any specialty board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS); the certification or recertification must be obtained in the four years preceding application for renewal.[4]

There are no continuing medical education requirements for those on limited licenses.[7]

FAQ

How many CME hours do Washington physicians need?

Washington physicians licensed by the Washington Medical Commission must complete 200 hours of continuing medical education every four years.[4] All 200 hours may be Category I (accredited sponsorship); Categories II-V (non-accredited, teaching, publications, self-directed) each cap at 80 hours independently. DOs are licensed through a separate Washington State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery under WAC 246-853 with a different cycle — 150 hours every 3 years with annual license renewal.

Are there mandatory CME topics in Washington?

Yes. Three primary-verified mandates apply. (1) Health equity — at least 2 hours every 4 years.[1] (2) Suicide assessment, treatment, and management — one-time 6-hour training on the DOH model list developed under RCW 43.70.442; physicians with only brief or limited patient contact are exempt.[2][5] (3) Opioid prescribing — one-time 1-hour CE on best practices or the WAC 246-919 opioid rules, for any physician who prescribes opioids.[3] All three count toward the 200-hour quadrennial total. Physicians prescribing long-acting opioids should also complete a one-time 4-hour CE, though that rule uses advisory 'should have' language rather than mandatory 'shall complete.'[6]

Does board certification substitute for CME in Washington?

Yes. In lieu of the 200 hours of continuing medical education, the commission will accept a current Physician's Recognition Award from the American Medical Association or a current certificate from any specialty board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS); the certification or recertification must be obtained in the four years preceding application for renewal.[4]

Why is Washington on a four-year cycle?

Washington uses a biennial license renewal cycle for MDs with a four-year CME reporting window.[4] DOs are on a different cycle under the separate Washington State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery: 150 hours every 3 years per WAC 246-853-080(1), with annual license renewal per WAC 246-853-990. On a per-year basis both cycles average roughly 50 hours/year, but the formal cycle lengths and total-hour requirements differ.

Are pandemic-era CME waivers still in effect in Washington?

No. Rescission of Proclamation 20-32 ended COVID-era CME waivers; standard CME requirements are fully in effect.[7]

Do Washington MDs and DOs have different CME requirements?

Yes. Washington licenses DOs through the Washington State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery under RCW 18.57 / WAC 246-853, separately from the Washington Medical Commission that regulates MDs under RCW 18.71 / WAC 246-919. MDs must complete 200 hours every four years; DOs must complete 150 hours every three years (WAC 246-853-080(1)), with at least 60 of those hours in DO board Category 1 (WAC 246-853-070(1)). DOs also have annual license renewal (WAC 246-853-990) versus MDs' biennial renewal. The three mandatory topic requirements — one-time 6-hour suicide assessment training, one-time 1-hour opioid prescribing CE, and 2 hours of health equity CE every four years — are substantively identical in hours and counting rules for both boards. See [DO board requirements](/cme-requirements/washington/osteopathic) for the complete osteopathic requirements.

200 hours. Every four years. Tied to your license expiration.

Never miss a Washington CME deadline.

Sources & Citations