CME Requirements

Go to Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance

CHANGES TO CME REQUIREMENTS

On June 20, 2006 Governor Bush signed HB 699 into law. It takes effect on July 1, 2006. Below is a summary of the portions of the bill regarding CME requirements.

The new law provides that physicians (MDs and DOs) will now only be required to complete one (1) credit in HIV/AIDS – this must be done prior to the first renewal of the license, but once the physician has taken one (1) credit, he or she does not ever have to take it again. Most Florida physicians have already met this requirement and will not need to take the course again.

The new law provides that physicians (MDs and DOs) will now only be required to complete two (2) credits in Domestic Violence every third biennial renewal, beginning with renewals following July 1, 2006.

The HIV/AIDs and Domestic Violence courses will no longer be required prior to initial licensure. For initial licensure, the only requirement will be two (2) credits in Prevention of Medical Errors. The biennial requirement for Prevention of Medical Errors also remains the same – MDs and DOs must complete two (2) credits during each two-year licensure cycle.

End of life and palliative care courses can no longer be used in lieu of the HIV/AIDS course or Domestic Violence course.

Below is a summary of Florida CME requirements for MD’s only, effective July 1, 2006:

Initial licensure:
Two (2) credits in Prevention of Medical Errors

First renewal:
One (1) credit in HIV/AIDS
Two (2) credits in Prevention of Medical Errors

Every renewal thereafter:
40 credit hours of CME including two (2) credits in Prevention of Medical Errors

In addition, every third renewal:
Two (2) credits in Domestic Violence.
For MDs renewing on January 31, 2007, you will be required to complete two (2) credits of Domestic Violence before your renewal in 2011.
For MDs renewing on January 31, 2008, you will be required to complete two (2) credits of Domestic Violence before your renewal in 2012.

Auditing

The Florida Board of Medicine will audit at random a number of licensees as is necessary to assure that the continuing education requirements are met. Should he/she be one of the 3% who are audited, the documents must be notarized. (Note: If the physician has met these requirements under MECOP's sponsorship, MECOP will provide & notarize the documents. In addition, and in order to give the physician a complete profile of hours earned, he may submit to MECOP proof of those hours earned under another accredited sponsor and it will be entered into MECOP's tracking system. ALL hours will then be notarized for the audit.)

The application for renewal shall include a form on which the licensee shall state that he has completed the required continuing education. The licensee must retain such receipts, vouchers, certificates, or other papers, such as the Physician's Recognition Award issued by the AMA, as may be necessary to document completion of the continuing education listed on the renewal form for a period of not less than 4 years from the date the course was taken.