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New York CME requirements for family physicians
New York sets no general CME hour total, only 3 topic mandates. As a family physician you also keep up ABFM Family Medicine Certification. Below: both, and where one certificate counts for each.
New York: the state rule
Checked against the New York State Department of Health's rules on October 13, 2026. Citation: PHL ยง3309-A(3); 8 NYCRR 59.13.
General CME: No fixed hour renewal mandate; opioid attestation via NEAT.
Opioid / controlled substance
At least 3 hours every 3 years: pain management, palliative care, and addiction. Trigger: all NY prescribers holding a DEA registration. Attested via NEAT on the Health Commerce System.
No board pre-approval needed: despite the specific topic curriculum, any ACCME course covering the required topics counts; self-attested via NEAT.
Mandated topics, and whether each reaches family physicians
| Topic | Hours | Timing | Who it applies to | For family physicians |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child abuse identification & reporting | 2 | one-time (pre-licensure) | all applicants | Applies to all physicians. |
| Infection control / barrier precautions | 7 core elements (no set hours) | every 4 years | all | Applies to all physicians. |
| Controlled substances / pain / palliative / addiction | 3 | every 3 years | DEA controlled-substance prescribers | Applies if you prescribe controlled substances. Check whether this applies to your practice. |
Notes from the New York page
- NY has no total-hour CME mandate: only these topic trainings.
Full detail, including the rules for NPs, PAs, CRNAs and CAAs: New York CME requirements.
Your board: ABFM Family Medicine Certification
Board figures as tracked in the Ledger, last checked August 1, 2026. Confirm in your board portal.
The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) moved to a 5-year cycle in January 2025: 200 CME credits per cycle, at least 100 of them ABFM Division I, plus 60 certification points from a self-assessment (KSA) and a Performance Improvement activity.
You also take the FMCLA longitudinal assessment or the one-day exam. Division I is ABFM's own credit taxonomy and includes AMA PRA Category 1.
DOs certified by the AOBFP follow the AOA's Osteopathic Continuous Certification instead, with different credit rules.
What usually overlaps
- Opioid course. An accredited course that covers New York's required opioid content can meet that requirement. New York sets no general hour total, so there is no second bucket for it to count toward.
- Board CME. New York sets no general hour total, so board CME counts on the New York side only when it covers one of New York's topic mandates, such as the opioid requirement. On the board side, ABFM Division I includes AMA PRA Category 1. 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 New York's own rules.
For family physicians in New York
- New York sets no general hour total, so your ABFM requirement (200 credits over 5 years, about 40 a year) is likely your larger CME number. New York's topic mandates still apply on their own schedule.
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 New York require for family physicians?
New York sets no general CME hour total for physicians in any specialty. It has 3 mandated topics. The opioid and controlled-substance rule: at least 3 hours every 3 years: pain management, palliative care, and addiction. Checked against the New York State Department of Health's rules on October 13, 2026.
Does ABFM CME count toward New York's CME hours?
New York sets no general hour total, so board CME counts on the New York side only when it covers one of New York's topic mandates, such as the opioid requirement. On the board side, ABFM Division I includes AMA PRA Category 1. Check what credit each certificate awards.
Related
- New York 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 New York physician rules as checked on October 13, 2026 and of ABFM rules as last checked August 1, 2026. Informational, not legal advice. Rules change mid-cycle: verify with the New York State Department of Health and your board before relying on any entry.