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North Carolina CME requirements for radiologists
North Carolina sets one CME total for physicians in every specialty: 60 hours every 3 years (Category 1), with 1 mandated topic. As a radiologist you also keep up ABR Continuing Certification. Below: both, and where one certificate counts for each.
North Carolina: the state rule
Checked against the North Carolina Medical Board's rules on October 13, 2026. Citation: 21 NCAC 32R .0101(b).
General CME: 60 hours every 3 years.
Opioid / controlled substance
3 hours Category 1 every 3-year cycle, controlled-substance prescribing practices including chronic pain. Trigger: any MD/DO who prescribes CS.
No board pre-approval needed: no designated course; the NCMB posts an options list 'as a courtesy.' DEA MATE Act training also satisfies it.
Mandated topics, and whether each reaches radiologists
| Topic | Hours | Timing | Who it applies to | For radiologists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Controlled substances / opioid / chronic pain prescribing | 3 | per 3-year cycle | controlled-substance prescribers | Applies if you prescribe controlled substances. Check whether this applies to your practice. |
Notes from the North Carolina page
- MATE training satisfies. Only topic mandate.
Full detail, including the rules for NPs, PAs, CRNAs and CAAs: North Carolina CME requirements.
Your board: ABR Continuing Certification
Board figures as tracked in the Ledger, last checked October 15, 2026. Confirm in your board portal.
The American Board of Radiology (ABR) asks diagnostic radiologists for at least 75 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits in any rolling 3-year period. Newly certified diplomates start counting in their fourth year of participation.
You also answer Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA) questions and meet the passing standard by year 5 of the 5-year cycle (or pass an exam in year 4 or 5), complete one Practice Quality Improvement project or participatory QI activity in each rolling 3 years, and keep a valid, unrestricted license.
DOs certified by the AOBR follow the AOA's Osteopathic Continuous Certification instead: 60 CME credits every 3 years, 15 of them self-assessment.
What usually overlaps
- Opioid course. An accredited opioid course that covers North Carolina's required content can count toward the opioid requirement and toward the general 60-hour total at the same time, when the activity awards the credit North Carolina accepts.
- Board CME. The ABR counts AMA PRA Category 1 credit. A Category 1 certificate can count toward your ABR total and toward North Carolina's hours at the same time; a Category 2 activity can only help on the state side, where the state accepts it. 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 North Carolina's own rules. A MATE-qualifying accredited course will usually still count toward North Carolina's general total.
For radiologists in North Carolina
- Pace: North Carolina asks for 60 hours every 3 years, about 20 a year. The ABR asks for 75 credits in any rolling 3 years, about 25 a year. Certificates that carry credit both accept count toward each, so plan to the larger of the two.
- North Carolina's total: 60 hours (Category 1). The ABR counts Category 1 only, so the Category 1 hours are the ones that also count toward your ABR total.
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 North Carolina require for radiologists?
North Carolina's total is the same for physicians in every specialty: 60 hours every 3 years (Category 1), plus 1 mandated topic, some limited to certain practices. Checked against the North Carolina Medical Board's rules on October 13, 2026.
Does ABR CME count toward North Carolina's CME hours?
The ABR counts AMA PRA Category 1 credit. A Category 1 certificate can count toward your ABR total and toward North Carolina's hours at the same time; a Category 2 activity can only help on the state side, where the state accepts it. Check what credit each certificate awards.
Related
- North Carolina 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 North Carolina physician rules as checked on October 13, 2026 and of ABR rules as last checked October 15, 2026. Informational, not legal advice. Rules change mid-cycle: verify with the North Carolina Medical Board and your board before relying on any entry.