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Georgia CME requirements for emergency physicians
Georgia sets one CME total for physicians in every specialty: 40 hours every 2 years, with 3 mandated topics. As an emergency physician you also keep up ABEM Continuing Certification (MyEMCert). Below: both, and where one certificate counts for each.
Georgia: the state rule
Checked against the Georgia Composite Medical Board's rules on October 13, 2026. Citation: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 360-15-.01.
General CME: 40 hours every 2 years.
Opioid / controlled substance
3 hours one-time (next renewal), responsible opioid prescribing (+20 hours if at least 50% pain patients). Trigger: DEA + prescribes CS.
No board pre-approval needed: broad menu of accepted accreditors (AMA/AOA/AAFP/ACOG/ACEP Category 1).
Mandated topics, and whether each reaches emergency physicians
| Topic | Hours | Timing | Who it applies to | For emergency physicians |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Controlled substances / safe opioid prescribing | 3 | one-time (by 1st renewal after 1/1/2018) | DEA controlled-substance prescribers | Applies if you prescribe controlled substances. Check whether this applies to your practice. |
| Pain management / palliative medicine | 20 | per renewal while condition applies | non-certified with 50%+ opioid pts | Check whether this applies to your practice. |
| Sexual misconduct / professional boundaries | 2 | one-time (by 1st renewal after 1/1/2022) | all | Applies to all physicians. |
Full detail, including the rules for NPs, PAs, CRNAs and CAAs: Georgia CME requirements.
Your board: ABEM Continuing Certification (MyEMCert)
Board figures as tracked in the Ledger, last checked July 25, 2026. Confirm in your board portal.
The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) runs Continuing Certification on a 5-year cycle: pass 4 MyEMCert modules, complete 1 Patient-Care Practice Improvement activity, and attest an unrestricted license each year.
ABEM sets no CME-credit total. Credit is earned through the modules, and your state licenses still set their own CME totals.
DOs certified by the AOBEM follow the AOA's Osteopathic Continuous Certification instead, with different credit rules.
What usually overlaps
- Opioid course. An accredited opioid course that covers Georgia's required content can count toward the opioid requirement and toward the general 40-hour total at the same time, when the activity awards the credit Georgia accepts.
- Board CME. ABEM sets no CME total of its own, but completed MyEMCert modules come with CME certificates. Each one can count toward Georgia's hours when it awards credit Georgia accepts. Check what credit each certificate awards.
- Federal MATE Act. If you hold a DEA registration, the one-time 8-hour training is federal and does not replace Georgia's own rules. A MATE-qualifying accredited course will usually still count toward Georgia's general total.
For emergency physicians in Georgia
- ABEM sets no CME-credit total, so Georgia's 40 hours every 2 years is your CME number. Keep MyEMCert module certificates: they can count toward it.
One record for your licenses and your board
The Ledger counts one certificate toward every state and board requirement it satisfies, at full hours each, and reminds you before anything is due. 30 days free with a card on file.
Common questions
How many CME hours does Georgia require for emergency physicians?
Georgia's total is the same for physicians in every specialty: 40 hours every 2 years, plus 3 mandated topics, some limited to certain practices. Checked against the Georgia Composite Medical Board's rules on October 13, 2026.
Does ABEM continuing certification count toward Georgia's CME hours?
ABEM sets no CME total of its own, but completed MyEMCert modules come with CME certificates. Each one can count toward Georgia's hours when it awards credit Georgia accepts. Check what credit each certificate awards.
Related
- Georgia CME requirements, all professions
- CME requirements for all 51 jurisdictions
- CME by state and specialty
- Opioid and controlled-substance CME by state
A summary of the Georgia physician rules as checked on October 13, 2026 and of ABEM rules as last checked July 25, 2026. Informational, not legal advice. Rules change mid-cycle: verify with the Georgia Composite Medical Board and your board before relying on any entry.