Continuing Medical Education (CME) is essential for physicians to maintain licensure and stay updated with medical advancements. Tennessee has specific CME requirements for MD and DO physicians that aim to ensure they provide the highest quality care. Understanding these requirements is crucial for compliance and professional development.
Tennessee CME Requirements for MD Physicians
- Total CME Credits Required: 40 hours every 2 years
- Credit Type: 40 hours of Board-approved continuing medical education
- Controlled Substance Prescribing: At least 2 of the 40 hours must relate to controlled substance prescribing and include instruction in the Tennessee Department of Health's treatment guidelines addressing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol. Certain specialists and other physicians specified by law are exempt.
- Nutrition: Beginning January 1, 2028, at least 1 of the required CME hours must address nutrition.
Tennessee CME Requirements for DO Physicians
- Total CME Credits Required: 40 hours every 2 years
- Credit Type: The 40 hours must consist of AOA Category 1-A, 2-A, and/or 1-B CME, with no more than 20 hours in Category 1-B
- Controlled Substance Prescribing: At least 2 of the 40 hours must relate to controlled substance prescribing and include instruction in the Tennessee Department of Health's treatment guidelines addressing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol. Certain specialists and other physicians specified by law are exempt.
- Nutrition: Beginning January 1, 2028, at least 1 of the required CME hours must address nutrition.
Fulfilling these requirements ensures that Tennessee MD and DO physicians remain current in their medical practice and provide the best care to their patients. For further details on state CME requirements, please visit the official Federation of State Medical Board documentation.
Resources to Fulfill Tennessee’s CME Requirements
CME Trail offers a tailored collection of CME opportunities that adhere to Tennessee's guidelines. We provide a variety of educational resources, from an AI Question Bank, AI Medical GPT, AI Podcasts designed to fulfill the state-mandated topics while also fitting into busy schedules. Earn up to 120 AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
To assist healthcare professionals in fulfilling their specific CME requirements on prescribing and monitoring controlled substances we've compiled a list of free resources:
Free Resources on Prescribing Controlled Substances
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Offers CME/CE activities on topics related to opioid and substance use disorders and addiction. NIDA CME/CE Activities
- Pri-Med: Provides timely opioid CME courses to help primary care clinicians learn appropriate risk mitigation strategies and prevent substance use disorder. Pri-Med Opioid CME/CE
- Wake AHEC: Offers a webinar and panel discussion series on controlled substances prescribing, with an emphasis on treating pain. Wake AHEC CME
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Provides training modules on treating substance use disorders, effective communication in treating SUDs, and care coordination in the treatment of SUDs, eligible for free continuing education credits. Access CDC Training Modules
Free Pain Management CME
- Medscape - Frequently provides free courses in pain management, opioid prescribing and end of life, along with other relevant topics for healthcare providers. Medscape education
- AMA Ed Hub - As an ACCME-accredited CME provider, ACP offers a wide variety of recommended activities as it relates to pain management and end of life care. AMA Ed Hub
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Offers CME/CE activities on topics related to opioid prescribing. NIDA CME/CE Activities
- Pri-Med: Provides timely opioid CME courses to help primary care clinicians learn appropriate risk mitigation strategies. Pri-Med Opioid CME/CE
- Wake AHEC: Offers a webinar and panel discussion series on controlled substances prescribing, with an emphasis on treating pain. Wake AHEC CME
DISCLAIMER: CME requirements listed above are based on information from the Tennessee Medical Board and Tennessee Osteopathic Medical Board may be subject to change. State guidelines may vary, and it is the responsibility of each physician to verify the necessary state-specific CME criteria.
