Home › CME by state › Rhode Island
Rhode Island CME Requirements for Physicians (2026)
Everything the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure & Discipline requires — total hours, mandated topics, the opioid/controlled-substance rule, and how it's tracked. Last reviewed 2026-07-10.
Board: Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure & Discipline. General CME: 40 hrs every 2 yrs (incl. a rotating 4-hr topical block).
Opioid / controlled-substance CME in Rhode Island
One-time 8 hrs Cat 1 for Schedule-II-opioid prescribers (DOH rule); the biennial 40-hr renewal has a rotating 4-hr topical block that does NOT currently name opioids. (X-DEA holders exempt from the one-time 8 hrs.)
✓ No board pre-approval gate: No board pre-approval — generic ACCME Cat 1 accepted; DOH rule states 'no one specific course is required.' CONFIRM whether the current renewal 4-hr topical block names opioids this cycle.
All mandated CME topics in Rhode Island
| Topic | Hours | Timing | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Controlled substances / opioid prescribing / pain management | 8 hrs | one-time (before 1st CS registration renewal) | Schedule II opioid prescribers |
| Alzheimer's / dementia | 1 hrs | one-time (per career, eff 8/1/2019) | all |
Notes
- Licensing rule 216-RICR-40-05-1 lists NO topic mandates; RIDOH says no topics required this cycle. FSMB '4-hr topics bundle' is OUTDATED/not current.
Pick all your states in the free planner and get one 5-year schedule that batches your opioid/controlled-substance CME so a single course covers as many licenses as possible.
Build my multi-state CME plan →This page summarizes 216-RICR-20-20-4.4(P) and related board policy as of 2026-07-10 for physicians (MD/DO). It is educational information, not legal advice — always verify current requirements with the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure & Discipline before relying on them.