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Illinois CME requirements for internists
Illinois sets one CME total for physicians in every specialty: 150 hours every 3 years (min 60 Category 1), with 7 mandated topics. As an internist you also keep up ABIM Maintenance of Certification (MOC). Below: both, and where one certificate counts for each.
Illinois: the state rule
Checked against the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation's rules on October 13, 2026. Citation: 68 Ill. Administrative Code 1285.
General CME: 150 hours every 3 years.
Opioid / controlled substance
1 hour per Controlled Substances Registration renewal (from January 1, 2025, P.A. 103-0531; it was 3 hours before 2025) - safe opioid prescribing (counts toward the 150-hour total). Trigger: IL controlled-substance registrants.
No board pre-approval needed: generic ACCME Category 1 counts.
Mandated topics, and whether each reaches internists
| Topic | Hours | Timing | Who it applies to | For internists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual harassment prevention | 1 | per cycle | all | Applies to all physicians. |
| Implicit bias awareness | 1 | per cycle | all | Applies to all physicians. |
| Maternal health implicit bias | embedded in implicit bias hour | per cycle, effective 7/1/2026 | maternal-health providers | Check whether this applies to your practice. |
| Dementia/Alzheimer's | 1 | before 1st renewal, then every 6 years | treat adults | Check whether this applies to your practice. |
| Cultural competency | 1 | before 1st renewal, then every 6 years | all | Applies to all physicians. |
| Mandated reporter (child abuse/neglect) | 1 | every 6 years | all | Applies to all physicians. |
| Safe opioid prescribing | 1 | per CSR renewal (1 hour from January 1, 2025) | IL controlled-substance registrants | Applies if you prescribe controlled substances. Check whether this applies to your practice. |
Notes from the Illinois page
- Safe opioid prescribing: 1 hour per Controlled Substances Registration renewal from January 1, 2025 (720 ILCS 570/315.5 as amended by P.A. 103-0531; it was 3 hours before 2025). It is due at each renewal, not once every 6 years; the 6-year cycle is the Medical Practice Act's separate topic rotation.
Full detail, including the rules for NPs, PAs, CRNAs and CAAs: Illinois CME requirements.
Your board: ABIM Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
Board figures as tracked in the Ledger, last checked August 1, 2026. Confirm in your board portal.
The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) runs MOC on a 5-year cycle: 100 MOC points in any mix of CME, self-assessment or quality improvement, plus the Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (or the traditional 10-year exam).
Most accredited CME converts to MOC points 1:1. The old 2-year point rule was eliminated in December 2024.
DOs certified by the AOBIM follow the AOA's Osteopathic Continuous Certification instead, with different credit rules.
What usually overlaps
- Opioid course. An accredited opioid course that covers Illinois's required content can count toward the opioid requirement and toward the general 150-hour total at the same time, when the activity awards the credit Illinois accepts.
- Board CME. Most accredited CME converts 1:1 to ABIM MOC points, so a Category 1 activity that also awards MOC points can count toward your 100 points and toward Illinois's hours at the same time. 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 Illinois's own rules. A MATE-qualifying accredited course will usually still count toward Illinois's general total.
For internists in Illinois
- Pace: Illinois asks for 150 hours every 3 years, about 50 a year. ABIM asks for 100 MOC points over 5 years, about 20 a year. Certificates that carry credit both accept count toward each, so plan to the larger of the two.
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 Illinois require for internists?
Illinois's total is the same for physicians in every specialty: 150 hours every 3 years (min 60 Category 1), plus 7 mandated topics, some limited to certain practices. Checked against the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation's rules on October 13, 2026.
Does ABIM MOC count toward Illinois's CME hours?
Most accredited CME converts 1:1 to ABIM MOC points, so a Category 1 activity that also awards MOC points can count toward your 100 points and toward Illinois's hours at the same time. Check what credit each certificate awards.
Related
- Illinois 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 Illinois physician rules as checked on October 13, 2026 and of ABIM rules as last checked August 1, 2026. Informational, not legal advice. Rules change mid-cycle: verify with the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation and your board before relying on any entry.