Effective June 24, 2002

CME Rule Changes In an effort to simplify and clarify the continuing medical education requirements for licensure, the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision adopted emergency changes to the rules that become effective June 24, 2002. The amendments allow the Board to require proof of CME for those being audited at the time of renewal rather than after the fact. If the Board finds that the requirements have not been met, the physician is not allowed to renew and is unable to practice medicine. The amendments also eliminate the Category 2 requirements but still require sixty (60) hours in Category 1.

SUBCHAPTER 15. CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (AMENDED)

OAC 435:10-15-1. Continuing Medical Education

(a) Requirements

(1) Each applicant re-registration (renewal) of licensure shall certify every three years that he/she has completed the requisite hours of continuing medical education (CME).
(2) Requisite hours of CME shall be sixty (60) hours of Category 1 obtained during the preceding three (3) years as defined by the American Medical Association/Oklahoma State Medical Association/American Academy of Family Physicians or other certifying organization recognized by the Board.
(3) Newly licensed physicians will be required to begin reporting three years from the date licensure was granted.

(b) Audit/Verification

(1) The Board staff will, each year, randomly or for cause select licensees to be audited for verification that all CME requirements have been met.
(2) The Board shall accept as verification:

(A) Current American Medical Association Physician Recognition Award (AMA PRA);
(B) Specialty board certification or re-certification that was obtained during the three year reporting period, by an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) specialty board;
(C) Proof of residency or fellowship training during the preceding three years. Fifty (50) hours of CME may be awarded for each completed year of training;
(D) Copies of certificates for the Category 1 education.

(c) Compliance

(1) Licensees selected for audit must submit verification of meeting the CME requirement.
(2) Failure to submit such records shall constitute an incomplete application and shall result in the appliation being returned to the licensee and the licensee being unable to practice.
(3) A license obtained through misrepresentation shall result in Board action.

For more information on the rules of the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision (Chapter 10 Physicians and Surgeons, Subchapter 15: Continuing Medical Education Page 49), click here to download a PDF document.