California Physician (MD) license renewal and CE requirements
California physicians (MD) must complete 50 CME credits of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Medical Board of California.
The Physician's and Surgeon's license renews every two years and expires at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the month in which it was originally issued.
Summary
California physicians (MD) must complete 50 CME credits of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Medical Board of California. The Physician's and Surgeon's license renews every two years and expires at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the month in which it was originally issued. California also mandates specific subjects. Pain management and treatment of terminally ill and dying patients: a one-time requirement of 12 CME credits (all physicians except pathologists and radiologists; complete by the second license renewal after initial licensure). Geriatric medicine or dementia care: required every renewal cycle (general internists and family physicians whose patient population is more than 25 percent age 65 or older: at least 20 percent of mandatory CME must be in geriatric medicine or the care of older patients).
California Physician (MD) renewal and continuing education rules
"Not stated" means the board's pages and rules we read do not address it. We do not fill in typical values.
| Renewal cycle | Two-year (24 months) |
|---|---|
| Renewal deadline | Tied to the original issue date |
| Continuing education required | Yes |
| Hours per cycle | 50 CME credits |
| Self-study or online cap | No cap stated |
| Carryover to next cycle | Not stated |
| First renewal exempt | Not stated |
A minimum of 50 hours of approved CME during each two-year renewal cycle, completed in the two years immediately preceding the license expiration date. Physicians in Retired or Inactive status do not need to meet the CME requirement until the license returns to active status.
Required CE topics for California physician (md)s
State-specific subject mandates. Where a mandate applies only to some licensees, the scope is listed.
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Applies to | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain management and treatment of terminally ill and dying patientsThe 12 hours may be split between pain management and end-of-life care in any combination and must include content on the risks of addiction associated with Schedule II drugs. A 12-hour course on treating opioid-dependent patients, including at least 8 hours on buprenorphine or similar medications, also satisfies it. Courses must be ACCME, AMA, CMA, or AAFP accredited and count toward the 50-hour requirement. | 12 CME credits | One time | All physicians except pathologists and radiologists; complete by the second license renewal after initial licensure | Not stated |
| Geriatric medicine or dementia careStated as a share of the 50 hours rather than a fixed hour count. | Not stated | Every renewal | General internists and family physicians whose patient population is more than 25 percent age 65 or older: at least 20 percent of mandatory CME must be in geriatric medicine or the care of older patients | Not stated |
Documentation and audit
| Proof submitted at renewal | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Keep records for | 4 years |
| Board audits compliance | Not stated |
| Approved providers | CME must be taken through a continuing education provider recognized by the Board. Records kept for four years must show course title, dates of attendance, credit hours, and the sponsoring or accrediting organization. |
Common questions
- How many CE hours does a California MD need to renew?
- California physicians (MD) must complete 50 CME credits of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Medical Board of California. A minimum of 50 hours of approved CME during each two-year renewal cycle, completed in the two years immediately preceding the license expiration date. Physicians in Retired or Inactive status do not need to meet the CME requirement until the license returns to active status.
- How often does a California MD license need to be renewed?
- Physician (MD) licenses in California renew every two years. The Physician's and Surgeon's license renews every two years and expires at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the month in which it was originally issued.
- What specific CE topics are required for California physicians (MD)?
- Pain management and treatment of terminally ill and dying patients: a one-time requirement of 12 CME credits (all physicians except pathologists and radiologists; complete by the second license renewal after initial licensure). Geriatric medicine or dementia care: required every renewal cycle (general internists and family physicians whose patient population is more than 25 percent age 65 or older: at least 20 percent of mandatory CME must be in geriatric medicine or the care of older patients).
- Do California physicians (MD) have to submit CE certificates at renewal?
- Records must be kept for 4 years. CME must be taken through a continuing education provider recognized by the Board. Records kept for four years must show course title, dates of attendance, credit hours, and the sponsoring or accrediting organization.
Sources
Last verified September 7, 2026. Every value above was read from one of these.
- Continuing Medical Education, Medical Board of CaliforniaState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
- Physicians and Surgeons: Renew, Medical Board of CaliforniaState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
All values read from the Medical Board's CME and Renew pages, which cite Title 16 CCR sections 1336 and 1338(e). The board's page describes the requirement as 50 hours of CME; unit recorded as CME credits. Statutory citations for the pain management and geriatrics mandates were not on the pages read and are left null rather than inferred. Whether the board audits CME compliance, and whether the first renewal is exempt, were not stated on the pages read.
Provided for general reference. Requirements change through legislative sessions and rulemaking, so confirm with the Medical Board of California before relying on them for a renewal. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.