Arizona Administrative CODE regarding CME

R4-16-102. Continuing Medical Education

  1. A physician holding an active license to practice medicine in this state shall complete 40 credit hours of the continuing medical education required by A.R.S. § 32-1434 during the two calendar years preceding biennial registration.
    1. A physician who is authorized to prescribe schedule II controlled substances and holds a valid U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registration number shall complete at least three hours of opioid-related, substance- use-disorder-related, or addiction-related continuing medical education during each renewal cycle;
    1. One hour of credit is allowed for each clock hour of participation in continuing medical education activities, unless otherwise designated in subsection (B); and
    2. The physician may not carry excess hours of continuing medical education over to another two-year cycle.
  1. A physician may claim continuing medical education for the following:

The physician may claim one credit hour for each hour preparing, writing, and presenting materials:

  1. Actually published or presented; and
  2. After the date of publication or presentation.

A credit hour may be earned for any of the following activities that provide an understanding of current developments, skills, procedures, or treatments related to the practice of allopathic medicine:

  1. Completing a medical education program based on self-instruction that uses videotapes, audiotapes, films, filmstrips, slides, radio broadcasts, or computers;
  2. Reading scientific journals and books;
  3. Preparing for specialty board certification or recertification examinations;
  4. Participating on a staff or quality of care committee, or utilization review committee in a hospital, health care institution, or government agency.

If a physician holding an active license to practice medicine in this state fails to meet the continuing medical education requirements under subsection (A) because of illness, military service, medical or religious missionary activity, or residence in a foreign country, upon written application, the Board shall grant an extension of time to complete the continuing medical education.

The Board shall mail to each physician a license renewal form that includes a section regarding continuing medical education compliance. The physician shall sign and return the form certified under penalty of perjury that the continuing medical edu- cation requirements under subsection (A) are satisfied for the two-calendar-year period preceding biennial renewal. Failure to receive the license renewal form under subsection (A) shall not relieve the physician of the requirements of subsection (A). The Board may randomly audit a physician to verify compliance with the continuing medical education requirements under subsection (A).

Participating in an internship, residency, or fellowship at a teaching institution approved by the American Medical Association, the Association of American Medical Col- leges, or the American Osteopathic Association. A physician may claim one credit hour of continuing medical education for each one day of training in a full-time approved program, or for a less than full-time training on a pro rata basis. In this subsection teaching institutions define “full-time.”

Participating in an education program for an advanced degree in a medical or medically-related field in a teaching institution approved by the American Medical Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges, or the American Osteopathic Association. A physician may claim one credit hour of continuing medical education for each one day of full-time study or less than a full- time study on a pro rata basis. In this subsection teaching institutions define “full-time”.

Participating in full-time research in a teaching institution approved by the American Medical Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges, or the American Osteopathic Association. A physician may claim one credit hour of continuing medical education for each one day of full-time research, or less than full-time research on a pro rata basis. In this subsection teaching institutions define “full-time”.

Participating in an education program certified as Cate- gory 1 by an organization accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, 515 North State Street, Suite 2150, Chicago, Illinois 60610. Participating in a medical education program designed to provide understanding of current developments, skills, procedures, or treatments related to the practice of medicine, that is provided by an organization or institution accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

Serving as an instructor of medical students, house staff, other physicians, or allied health professionals from a hospital or other health care institution with a formal training program, if the instructional activities provide the instructor with understanding of current developments, skills, procedures, or treatments related to the practice of allopathic medicine.

Publishing or presenting a paper, report, or book that deals with current developments, skills, procedures, or treatments related to the practice of allopathic medicine.

Read more of the full statue at:  https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_04/4-16.pdf

Visit The AZ Medical Board; https://www.azmd.gov