Frequently Asked
Questions: Licensing Renewal and CME Requirements
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1. |
When
do I renew my license? |
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For your first (initial) license, you are required to renew it at the end of the year it was issued. You will be sent a renewal notice late in October. The on-time renewal period is late October the same year you are licensed to February 1st. The late renewal period is February 1st – May 1st. If you have not renewed by May 1st your license will expire. Your renewal is for a 2-year period. After the first renewal the same year of your initial licensure, you will be required to renew your license every other year. |
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2. |
How much does it cost to renew the
license? |
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The biennial renewal fee is $636. There is no pro-ration of the fee, nor any refunds even if you move out-of-state or stop practicing for any reason. If you renew during the late renewal period, there is an additional fee of $175 (see Question #1). |
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3. |
How do I provide citizenship status documentation as required? |
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A.R.S. §1-501-Arizona Statement of Citizenship requires that a person applying for a license must submit documentation to the licensing agency that satisfactorily demonstrates that the applicant is lawfully present in the United States. This cannot be completed on the Internet. The required form for licensees to use is located at : www.azdo.gov, in DO Physician Center, Licensure Information. Complete sections I,II, III (if applicable) and IV and submit with copies of your documentation to the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners by mail or FAX to 480-657-7715. NOTE: Your license wallet card for your renewal will not be issued until your citizenship documentation is received at the Board Office. |
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4. |
What are CME requirements to renew my license? |
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Arizona requires that you receive 20 hours of CME per year which must include at least 12 hours of category 1A (AOA) CME and no more than 8 hours of category 1 (ACCME) CME. During the first year that a licensee is licensed, the licensee may fulfill 20 hours of the CME requirement by participating in an approved residency, internship, fellowship, or preceptorship. Contact the American Osteopathic Association(AOA) for specific 1A program certification at www.osteopathic.org or by phone at 800-621-1773. |
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5. |
What does "CME Audit-YES" mean when indicated on my renewal notification? |
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The Board randomly selects a percentage of renewal applicants for an audit of the CME they have obtained to comply with the License Renewal requirement.
You are required to list each CME that you received and total 40 CME for the
two year renewal period. If you renew online you can enter the information in
the section provided. If mailing in your renewal the special form for CME audit
is available at www.azdo.gov. DO NOT SEND IN YOUR CME
CERTIFICATES unless requested by the Board at a later date. |
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6. |
Can
the CME requirement
be waived? |
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Yes, if you provide documentation to the Board that you are in one of the following situations: 1) in the military or a civilian working for military; 2) lived outside the United States more than 6 months of the year; 3) disabled to the extent that you could not practice medicine for a period of time; or 4) other circumstance beyond your control. The Board decides each waiver individually. Form is available at www.azdo.gov.
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7. |
Does the Board keep a record of
my CME throughout
the year? |
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No. You are responsible for keeping records of your own CME hours. |
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Do Not Send Certificates or Documentation of CME unless requested by the Board. |
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8. |
If I get more than 20 hours of CME in
one year, can I use the extra hours to meet
the requirement for the next year? |
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No. The law specifies that you have to obtain at least 20 hours each year. |
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9. |
Can I get an extension if I do not
have my CME in
time for renewal? |
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Yes. You must file a Request for Extension that indicates how you intend to make up deficiencies before May 1. If you file the Request for Extension during the on-time renewal period (before January 31), you will not have to pay the late renewal penalties. Form available at www.azdo.gov. |
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10. |
If I have an extension, and I obtain
more CME hours
than I need for the extension, can I apply
the rest of the hours to my current year
requirement? |
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Yes. You can apply any extra hours. But, if you apply the same hours to two different years, you may by in violation of statute, and the Board may take disciplinary action against your license. |
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