Wisconsin Medical Examining Board · MD

30 hours. Every two years. Due October 31 of odd years.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from WMEB~5 min read

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated July 4, 2026

Mandatory topics

Wisconsin has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 30-hour total.

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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]
2 hrs
Biennial

Physicians with U.S. DEA registration to prescribe controlled substances

View sourceVerbatim from source
“a minimum of 2 of the 30 hours of continuing medical education required under sub. ”
Med 13.02(1x)(a)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Wisconsin 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 30 hrs
All 30 hours must be Category 1. The board recognizes AMA, AOA, and ACCME-accredited programs — MDs and DOs follow the same rule under Wisconsin's unified Medical Examining Board.SourceMed 13.03(1)(b)[1]
AOA Category 1-A
DOs only
AOA Category 1 credit is explicitly accepted equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1. Wisconsin has a unified MEB for MDs and DOs.SourceMed 13.03(1)(b)[1]
Board-approved credit
The board accepts courses and programs it has approved in advance. One clock hour of attendance equals one CME hour.SourceMed 13.03(1)(a)[1]
Documentation & audit

Physicians must retain CME evidence in electronic or hard copy format through the biennium requiring credit.[1]

Waivers & exemptions

Physicians may request waivers based on prolonged illness or disability or other similar circumstances, evaluated individually by the board.[1]

Three consecutive months of Board-approved postgraduate training is deemed equivalent to 30 hours of acceptable CME, satisfying the entire biennial requirement.[1]

Psychiatrists who volunteer to assist the Department of Health Services evaluating community outpatient mental health programs may claim credit at four hours of service per one hour of CME.[1]

FAQ
How many CME hours do Wisconsin physicians need?
Physicians licensed by the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board must complete 30 hours of Category 1 AMA or AOA CME every two years.[1][2] The reporting cycle is a fixed statewide biennium ending October 31 of odd-numbered years.[3] Both MDs and DOs follow the same rule because Wisconsin has a single unified Medical Examining Board under DSPS.
Does Wisconsin require opioid prescribing CME?
Only for DEA-registered physicians. A minimum of 2 of the 30 hours must be an educational course or program related to prescribing opioids and other controlled substances.[1] This requirement does not apply to physicians without a DEA number to prescribe controlled substances.[1] The 2 hours count within the 30-hour total rather than stacking on top. The federal DEA MATE Act operates in parallel; MATE-satisfying coursework may also count toward the Wisconsin 2-hour requirement if it meets Med 13 standards.[2]
When does my Wisconsin medical license renew?
Wisconsin medical licenses renew on October 31 of every odd-numbered year.[3] Wisconsin uses a fixed statewide biennium — every physician shares the same renewal deadline. The next renewal deadline is October 31, 2027. Renewal is handled through the DSPS LicensE online portal.
Do residency or fellowship hours count toward Wisconsin CME?
Yes. Approved postgraduate training fulfills continuing education requirements, with three consecutive months deemed to equal 30 hours of acceptable CME.[1] Three months of Board-approved training satisfies the entire biennium.
Do MDs and DOs follow different CME rules in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin has a single unified Medical Examining Board under DSPS. The statutory definition of 'physician' under Wis. Stat. § 448.01 includes MDs and DOs. DOs may satisfy the requirement with AOA Category 1 Credit, AMA PRA Category 1 Credit, or a combination.[1]
Do Wisconsin MDs and DOs have different CME requirements?
No. Wisconsin does not maintain a separate osteopathic licensing board — DOs and MDs are both licensed by the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board and subject to the same CME requirements (30 hours per renewal cycle).

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Other roles in Wisconsin

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. Wisconsin Administrative Code Med 13 — Continuing Medical Education
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-17
    Show verbatim text
    “Each physician must complete at least 30 hours of acceptable continuing medical educational programs within the biennial registration period when applying for registration.”Med 13.02(1)
    “a minimum of 2 of the 30 hours of continuing medical education required under sub. ”Med 13.02(1x)(a)
    “A minimum of 2 of the 30 hours must be an educational course or program related to prescribing opioids and other controlled substances.”Med 13.02(1x)(a)
    “This requirement does not apply to physicians without a DEA number to prescribe controlled substances.”Med 13.02(1x)(b)
    “Approved postgraduate training fulfills continuing education requirements. Three consecutive months of such postgraduate training shall be deemed to equal 30 hours of acceptable continuing medical education.”Med 13.04
    “The board recognizes programs approved by the American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. One clock hour of attendance shall be deemed to equal one hour of acceptable continuing medical education.”Med 13.03(1)(b)
    “Physicians must retain in electronic or hard copy format evidence through the biennium requiring credit.”Med 13.05(2)
    “The board shall conduct a random audit of licensees on a biennial basis for compliance and may require physicians to submit evidence during the relevant biennium.”Med 13.06
    “Physicians may request waivers based on prolonged illness or disability or other similar circumstances, evaluated individually by the board.”Med 13.02(2)
    “The board accepts volunteer services by psychiatrists assisting the Department of Health Services in evaluating community outpatient mental health programs, with four hours of assistance counting as one hour of credit.”Med 13.03(2)(a)
  2. Physician Continuing Education — Wisconsin DSPS
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-17
  3. Physician Profession — Wisconsin DSPS
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-17
    Show verbatim text
    “Renewal date requirement: 10/31 each odd numbered year per Wis. Stat. § 440.08(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 Wisconsin Medical Examining Board, 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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