The NC General Assembly enacted S.L. 2015-241, s. 12F, 16(b) and (c) requiring that the NC Board of Podiatry Examiners, among other health licensing boards, require one hour of Continuing Medical Education (CME) per year on the abuse of controlled substances, specifically to address prescribing practices and those related to chronic pain management, as follows:
STATEWIDE OPIOID PRESCRIBING GUIDELINES
SECTION 12F.16.(a) By July 1, 2016, the following State health officials and health care provider licensing boards shall adopt the North Carolina Medical Board's Policy for the Use of Opiates for the Treatment of Pain:
(1) The Director of the Division of Public Health of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
(2) The Director of the Division of Medical Assistance, DHHS.
(3) The Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, DHHS.
(4) The directors of medical, dental, and mental health services within the Department of Public Safety.
(5) North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners.
(6) North Carolina Board of Nursing.
(7) North Carolina Board of Podiatry Examiners.
CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 12F.16.(b) The following health care provider occupational licensing boards shall require continuing education on the abuse of controlled substances as a condition of license renewal for health care providers who prescribe controlled substances:
(1) North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners.
(2) North Carolina Board of Nursing.
(3) North Carolina Board of Podiatry Examiners.
(4) North Carolina Medical Board.
SECTION 12F.16.(c) In establishing the continuing education standards, the boards listed in subsection (b) of this section shall require that
at least one hour of the total required continuing education hours consists of a course designed specifically to address prescribing practices. The course shall include, but not be limited to, instruction on controlled substance prescribing practices and controlled substance prescribing for chronic pain management.
Where can I get this CME?
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The Board has amended its Administrative Rule 21 NCAC 52.0208 CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION to include this requirement, effective March 1, 2016.
The required training may be taken on-line or in-person from continuing education providers approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME), AMA PRA Category 1, or the NC Foot & Ankle Society. You must demonstrate that you took the one hour of CME through attendance certificates or copies of programs listing the course and time allotted as you would report your other CME credits to the Board during annual license renewal.
Credit will not be given for repeating the exact same course from a previous year.
Below are some potential sources of online CME:
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