CME Requirements for Internal Medicine
Continuing Medical Education (CME) is required for internal medicine physicians to maintain medical licensure and board certification. CME is available in different formats and supports clinical competence, improves patient outcomes, and keeps practitioners compliant with current medical board standards and evolving care protocols.
By choosing an accredited CME provider like Oakstone, you can ensure that your education is accurate, unbiased, and supported by verified research. Organizations recognized by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and activities registered with the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) meet established professional standards and support certification and clinical performance.
CME Requirements for Internal Medicine
According to ABIM requirements, internal medicine physicians must earn at least 100 Maintenance of Certification (MOC) points every five years. To count toward MOC points, CME credits must be earned from ACCME-accredited organizations such as Oakstone, and the qualified activity must be registered with the ABIM for MOC credit.
These activities fulfill both CME and MOC requirements to help ensure compliance across state and board standards. State boards may require that you earn credits for specialized topics in internal medicine, such as ethics, pain management, or opioid prescribing.
What Counts Toward Internal Medicine CME and MOC?
You can earn CME credits in several ways: live conferences, online courses, journal-based CME, and self-assessment modules. Each format provides a different approach to learning, from in-depth specialized topic reviews to case-based discussions.
Oakstone offers a wide range of internal medicine CME. Focus areas include:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious disease
- Hospital medicine
State CME Requirements for Internal Medicine Physicians
CME requirements differ by state and may include additional mandates on topics beyond the ABIM’s general requirements. For instance, some states require specialized coursework in pain management, opioid prescribing, or implicit bias training; others require periodic updates in ethics, infection control, or end-of-life care.
Because these requirements can change, it’s important to verify current CME requirements through your state medical board. Choosing an accredited CME provider with recognized approval makes it easier to meet state-specific and national requirements.
Benefits of Internal Medicine CME
Participating in internal medicine CME strengthens clinical skills and contributes to patient outcomes. With content that satisfies ABIM requirements, you’ll be able to maintain evidence-based practices and stay current with clinical guidelines, diagnostic advancements, and pharmacologic updates.
CME supports:
- Evidence-based decision-making grounded in the latest research
- Improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning
- Enhanced patient safety through updated knowledge of medications, procedures, and technology
Beyond improving clinical quality, CME supports career advancement by helping internists expand their expertise in emerging specialties and subspecialties. Completing accredited CME may also fulfill MOC and licensure renewal requirements, allowing you to maintain good standing with your medical board and certifying organizations.
How to Track and Maintain Your CME Records
Accurate recordkeeping is an important part of CME compliance, making it important to maintain digital copies of CME certificates and transcripts for at least four to six years for state board verification or an audit.
Manual tracking can be time-consuming, especially if you use multiple CME sources. Oakstone simplifies this process by automatically tracking CME credits, certificates, and MOC submissions to help you save time and stay organized through each certification cycle.
How Oakstone Helps You Stay Compliant
Oakstone makes it easy to meet CME and MOC requirements so you can continue to focus on delivering high-quality patient care., On-demand access to Oakstone CME’s video, audio, and journal-based CME activities allows for flexible learning, while evidence-based, peer-reviewed content reflects the latest clinical standards.
To stay current and compliant with ABIM and state requirements, explore the Oakstone accredited internal medicine CME library today.