The Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB) has ruled that as of January 1, 2018, every physician must complete 3 or more hours of AMA/AOA PRA Category 1 CME of opioid prescribing CME in order to renew their Georgia medical license.

The updated GCMB ruling says that, (4) Effective January 1, 2018, every physician not subject to Rule 360-15- .01(3) who maintains an active DEA certificate and prescribes controlled substances, except those holding a residency training permit, shall complete at least one time three or more hours of AMA/AOA PRA Category 1 CME that is designed specifically to address controlled substance prescribing practices. The controlled substance prescribing CME shall include instruction on controlled substance prescribing guidelines, recognizing signs of the abuse or misuse of controlled substances, and controlled substance prescribing for chronic pain management. Any controlled substances prescribing guidelines coursework taken within two years of [the physician’s] last renewal will count toward this requirement. Completion of this requirement may count as three hours toward the CME requirement for license renewal.

The American College of Physicians is offering a free online Safe Opioid Prescribing CME course (3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credits) Click here for details.