Renewal CME FAQs


Renewal CME FAQs

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I am in a fellowship, residency, and/or internship program. Do I have to complete CMEs for renewal?

Yes, Rule 64B15-13.001(4)(e), F.A.C., states it is the fellow, intern, and/or resident’s responsibility to obtain the CME required under the rule.

Does my fellowship, residency, and/or internship hours count towards my biennial CME requirement?

Yes, Rule 64B15-13.001(4)(e), F.A.C., allows for ten (10) general CME credit hours to be awarded for successful completion of each six (6) month training program period.

How many home study hours am I allowed?

Home study hours are restricted to eight (8) hours.

With AOA and ACGME merging am I still required to complete AOA 1 A CMEs?

Yes. This is an Osteopathic License. You are required to complete forty (40) total hours for biennial renewal, twenty (20) of which must be AOA 1 A hours. See Rule 64B15-13.001(1).

You can search for Florida AOA 1-A live and on demand CME hours at: https://osteopathic.org/cme/search-calendar/?type=live.

Am I required to complete a prescribing controlled substance continuing education course for biennial renewal?

Only if you currently hold a DEA registration. If you currently hold a DEA registration you must complete a two-hour prescribing controlled substance course from one of the providers approved in Rule 64B15-13.001(1)(e), FAC.

Although, Rule 64B15-13.001(1)(b), FAC, reflects licensees renewing for the first time whose license was issued subsequent to July 1, of the second year of the biennium only have to complete one live hour of Florida Laws and Rules/Professional and Medical Ethics and two live hours of Prevention of Medical Errors, the statute requires licensees renewing for the first time whose license was issued subsequent to July 1, of the second year of the biennium, who hold a current DEA registration must also complete the two hour prescribing controlled substances course.

I live out of state, can I substitute the required live course for biennial renewal with some other form of CME?

No. The rule requires you complete one (1) hour of Florida Laws and Rules/ Professional and Medical Ethics and two (2) hours of Prevention of Medical Errors through live participatory courses.

Can I reactivate my license online?

No. If you have an inactive license you cannot reactivate the license online. It is important to know that there are two steps to the process and failure to complete both steps will likely result in failure to reactivate. Please contact licensure services at MQAOnlineService@flhealth.gov.

I am in the military; can I complete my CMEs for biennial renewal online?

Yes, Rule 64B15-13.001(7), FAC, states that a licensee who is on active duty as a member of the United States Armed Forces may obtain all forty (40) hours of CME in a distance learning format or home study, including the courses required by 64B15-13.001(1)(a), FAC, and is exempt from the requirements of 64B15-13.001(1)(b), FAC.

Can I receive CME credit for volunteer hours?

Yes. Rule 64B15-13.005 allows up to ten (10) CME hours per biennium by performing pro bono medical services to the indigent or to underserved populations or in areas of critical need within the state where the licensee practices. Credit is given on an hour by hour basis.

The following entities are approved for credit under this rule.

  • Department of Health
  • Community and Migrant Health Centers funded under section 330 of the US Public Health Services Act.
  • Volunteer Health Care Provider programs contracted to provided uncompensated care under the provisions of section 766.1115, FS, with the Department of Health.
    VHCP programs can be located here.

Volunteer services provided to an entity not listed above require prior approval from the board in order to receive credit. If you wish to volunteer with an entity other than listed above, contact the board office for instruction.

Can I have my renewal fee waived and receive CME credit for volunteer hours?

Yes, if you qualify under the Volunteer Health Care Provider program (VHCP). See Sections 766.1115, FS
and 766.1116, FS.