Continuing Medical Education (CME) is required for all Mississippi physician (MD and DO) licensees to maintain licensure. This page covers requirements, reporting methods, exemptions, waivers, and the governing regulation. Physician Assistant CME requirements are separate.
Jump to: Do I Need to Take Action? | Common Mistakes | Requirements & Reporting Cycle | How Reporting Works | Exemptions & Waivers | Compliance Expectations | Rules and Regulations | Related Resources | Questions
Do I Need to Take Action Right Now?
You are likely compliant if you are completing 40 hours of Category 1 CME in the current cycle AND you use a Board-approved tracking system OR maintain active ABMS board certification. You will certify compliance at renewal in the next even-numbered year.
You need to take action now if you do not use a CME tracking system AND are not maintaining active ABMS board certification. See How CME Reporting Works below to set up reporting.
You may be exempt this cycle if you are newly licensed after June 30 of an even-numbered year, currently in residency or fellowship training, or newly board-certified for the first time. See Exemptions & Waivers below for details.
If you are unsure about your compliance status, contact the Board:
Common CME Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until renewal to confirm CME completion
- Assuming retirement removes CME requirements
- Believing that lifetime board certification satisfies reporting requirements
- Creating a tracking account without identifying your Mississippi license
- Failing to maintain CME documentation
- Ignoring audit or compliance communications
CME Requirements & Reporting Cycle
Physicians (MD & DO) must complete 40 hours of Category 1 CME per two-year cycle. Compliance is certified at renewal in even-numbered years and applies to all license statuses, including retired.
CME cycles:
- July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026
- July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028
- July 1, 2028 – June 30, 2030
DEA Controlled Substances Training: The one-time DEA-required 8-hour opioid/substance use disorder training satisfies the Board’s controlled substance training requirement for DEA-registered practitioners.
How CME Reporting Works (MD/DO Licensees Only)
Beginning February 27, 2026, CME documentation is no longer submitted directly to the Board; however, physicians must still maintain documentation in case of audit. Physicians must meet one of the following reporting methods:
Option 1 — CME Tracking System
Maintain an account with a Board-approved CME tracking organization. Licensees must ensure their Mississippi medical license is properly identified within the tracking system.
- CE Broker CME Tracking System
- ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education)
- ABMS | American Board of Medical Specialties
- American Osteopathic Association | AOA
Option 2 — Board Certification
Maintain active certification with a board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Lifetime certification, without ongoing maintenance of certification, does not satisfy this requirement.
Exemptions & Waivers
Exemptions
The following exemptions apply only to the current CME cycle. Full compliance begins in the next applicable cycle.
- Initial licensure issued after June 30 of an even-numbered year
- Residency or fellowship training
- First-time board certification obtained during the CME cycle
Waivers
Licensees unable to meet CME requirements for legitimate cause may request a waiver. Requests must be submitted before April 1 of the final year of the CME cycle. Approval is granted at the discretion of the Board. Contact the Board for waiver instructions:
Compliance Expectations
You are considered compliant when you complete required CME hours within the cycle, maintain documentation, use an approved reporting method, and accurately certify CME compliance during renewal. Failure to maintain records, respond to audit requests, or accurately certify CME completion may result in Board action.
Rules and Regulations
CME requirements are established under the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure Administrative Rules, Part 2610 — Continuing Medical Education. The official rule language is available on the Regulation Filings page.
Related Resources
Questions About CME Compliance?
Contact the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure through the Board Contact page.