Section R4-16-102. Continuing Medical Education

A.      A physician holding an active license to practice medicine in this state shall complete 40 credit hours of the continuing med- ical education required by A.R.S. § 32-1434 during the two calendar years preceding biennial registration. A physician may not carry excess hours over to another two-year cycle. One hour of credit is allowed for each clock hour of participa- tion in continuing medical education activities, unless other- wise designated in subsection (B).

B.       A physician may claim continuing medical education for the following:

1.        Participating in an internship, residency, or fellowship at a teaching institution approved by the American Medical Association, the Association of American Medical Col- leges, or the American Osteopathic Association. A physi- cian may claim one credit hour of continuing medical education for each  one day of training in a full-time approved program, or for a less than full-time training on a pro rata basis. In this subsection teaching institutions define “full-time.”

2.        Participating in an education program for an advanced degree in a medical or medically-related field in a teach- ing institution approved by the American Medical Asso- ciation, the Association of American Medical Colleges, or the American Osteopathic Association. A physician may claim one credit hour of continuing medical educa- tion for each one day of full-time study or less than a full- time study on a pro rata basis. In this subsection teaching institutions define “full-time”.

3.        Participating in full-time research in a teaching institution approved by the American Medical Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges, or the Amer- ican Osteopathic Association. A physician may claim one credit hour of continuing medical education for each one day of full-time research, or less than full-time research on a pro rata basis. In this subsection teaching institutions define “full-time”.

4.        Participating in an education program certified as Cate- gory 1 by an organization accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, 515 North State Street, Suite 2150, Chicago, Illinois 60610.

5.        Participating in a medical education program designed to provide understanding of current developments, skills, procedures, or treatments related to the practice of medi- cine, that is provided by an organization or institution accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

6.        Serving as an instructor of medical students, house staff, other physicians, or allied health professionals from a hospital or other health care institution with a formal training program, if the instructional activities provide the instructor with understanding of current develop- ments, skills, procedures, or treatments  related  to  the practice of allopathic medicine.

7.        Publishing or presenting a paper, report, or book that deals with current developments, skills, procedures, or treatments related to the practice of allopathic medicine. The physician may claim one credit hour for each hour preparing, writing, and presenting materials:

a.         Actually published or presented; and

b.        After the date of publication or presentation.

8.        A credit hour may be earned for any of the following activities that provide an understanding of current devel- opments, skills, procedures, or treatments related to the practice of allopathic medicine:

a.         Completing a medical education program based on self-instruction that uses videotapes, audiotapes, films, filmstrips, slides, radio broadcasts, or comput- ers;

b.        Reading scientific journals and books;

c.         Preparing for specialty board certification or recerti- fication examinations;

d.        Participating on a staff or quality of care committee, or utilization review committee in a hospital, health care institution, or government agency.

C.      If a physician holding an active license to practice medicine in this state fails to meet the continuing medical education requirements under subsection (A) because of illness, military service, medical or religious missionary activity, or residence in a foreign country, upon written application, shall grant an extension of time to complete the continuing medical educa- tion.

D.      The Board shall mail to each physician a license renewal form that includes a section regarding continuing medical education compliance. The physician shall sign and return the form certi- fied under penalty of perjury that the continuing medical edu- cation requirements under subsection (A) are satisfied for the two-calendar-year period preceding biennial renewal. Failure to receive the license renewal form under subsection (A) shall not relieve the physician of the requirements of subsection (A). The Board may randomly audit a physician to verify com- pliance with the continuing medical education requirements under subsection (A).

Historical Note

Former Rule 16. Former Section R4-16-02 repealed, new Section R4-16-102 adopted effective June 1, 1984 (Supp. 84-3). Section repealed, new Section renumbered from R4-16-106 effective September 22, 1995 (Supp. 95-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 6 A.A.R. 1881, effective May 3, 2000 (Supp. 00-2). Former Section R4-16-102 recodified to R4-16-103; New Section R4-16-102 recodi- fied from R4-16-101 at 11 A.A.R. 1283, effective March 25, 2005 (Supp. 05-1).