A source-verified guide to West Virginia's CME requirements for physicians — hours, mandatory topics, audit rules, and exemptions.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 18, 2026
For physicians, 50 hours is the total CME requirement. West Virginia also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 50-hour total.
“The continuing medical education must include completion of medical education in nutrition.”
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 who prescribed, administered, or dispensed controlled substances during the two-year reporting period
“All physicians who prescribed, administered, or dispensed controlled substances during the two-year reporting period must complete 3-hours of Board-approved CME in Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing...”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, West Virginia 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 | AMA PRA Category 1 Credit is the canonical AMA Category I credit. Category I from AAFP is also explicitly named in the statute.SourceW. Va. Code § 30-3-12[1] |
AAFP Prescribed | AAFP-designated Category I credits are explicitly named in the statute.SourceW. Va. Code § 30-3-12[1] |
Board-approved credit max 20 hrs | Teaching hours are capped at 20 within the Classic CME pathway (Option 1). Medical student teaching and preceptorship qualify.SourceWVBOM Physician CME page, Option 1[2] |
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
Physicians may seek waiver of the 3-hour controlled substance requirement by attesting they did not prescribe controlled substances during July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026, or received initial licensure after July 1, 2025 (must complete within one year).[2]
Option 2 — ABMS Certification: Pass certification or recertification exam from an ABMS member board during the reporting period (excludes the 3-hour controlled substance requirement).[2]
Option 3 — MOC Participation: Successfully complete maintenance of certification through an ABMS member board (excludes the 3-hour controlled substance requirement).[2]
Option 4 — ACGME Training: Complete one full year of ACGME-approved postgraduate training (excludes the 3-hour controlled substance requirement).[2]
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.
“A license to practice medicine and surgery or podiatry in this state is valid for a term of two years. … Licensees must provide a certification of participation in and successful completion of a minimum of fifty hours of continuing medical or podiatric education satisfactory to the board … during the preceding two-year period. … Continuing medical education designated as Category I by the American Medical Association or the Academy of Family Physicians and alternate categories approved by the board. … The continuing medical education must include completion of medical education in nutrition. … supporting written documentation of the continuing education represented as received within thirty days of receipt of a written request by the board. … Failure to timely submit … a certification of successful completion of a minimum of fifty hours of continuing medical or podiatric education … shall result in the automatic expiration of any license.”W. Va. Code § 30-3-12
“The continuing medical education must include completion of medical education in nutrition.”W. Va. Code §30-3-12
“All physicians who prescribed, administered, or dispensed controlled substances during the two-year reporting period must complete 3-hours of Board-approved CME in Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing each renewal cycle. This requirement applies during the period of July 1, 2024 through the renewal application submission date. Waiver Options — Physicians may seek waiver by attesting they either: Did not prescribe controlled substances during July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026, OR Received initial licensure after July 1, 2025 (must complete within one year). Four CME Pathways: Option 1 — Classic CME: Complete 50 hours total, with 30 hours in specialty area. Up to 20 hours may come from medical student teaching/preceptorship. Option 2 — ABMS Certification: Pass certification or recertification exam from an ABMS member board during the reporting period (excludes the 3-hour controlled substance requirement). Option 3 — MOC Participation: Successfully complete maintenance of certification through an ABMS member board (excludes the 3-hour controlled substance requirement). Option 4 — ACGME Training: Complete one full year of ACGME-approved postgraduate training (excludes the 3-hour controlled substance requirement).”
“All physicians who prescribed, administered, or dispensed controlled substances during the two-year reporting period must complete 3-hours of Board-approved CME in Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing...”WVBOM Physician CME page
“a total of 32 CME hours for D.O. licensure renewal, with 16 hours must be AOA Category 1A or 1B Credit (Osteopathic). … All licensees who prescribe, administers or dispenses a controlled substance must complete A three hour CME, course which has been approved by the WV Board of Osteopathic Medicine. … required every two year licensing period … Courses must receive prior approval from the WV Board of Osteopathic Medicine to be accepted.”