In response to a 2015-2016 state budget provision that calls on health care agencies to require controlled substances prescribers to complete education in opioid prescribing, NCMB successfully pursued rule changes to establish a new CME requirement. The requirement applies to physicians and physician assistants who prescribe controlled substances of any kind. The requirement will be in effect as of July 1, 2017.
This page provides information about the requirement and resources to assist licensees in complying with it.
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CME rule changes
CME information and resources
- Controlled Substances CME FAQs
- General CME FAQs
- CME logging form - licensees are NOT required to submit documentation unless requested
Free In Person Controlled Substances CME Opportunities
- Oct. 12 - 6:30 p.m. Duke University Health System, Durham (2 hours)
- Nov. 15 - 6:30 p.m. Catawba Valley Medical Center, Catawba County - registration link coming soon!
- Nov. 30 - 6:30 p.m. Carolinas East Medical Center, Craven County - registration link coming soon!
- March 15 - 6:30 p.m. Cape Fear Medical Center, Cumberland County - registration link coming soon!
Free Online Controlled Substances CME Opportunities (Maintained as a courtesy; Not an exhaustive list)
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, courses provide one hour of CME
- Controlled Substance Prescribing: What Every Provider Needs to Know (NCMB-WakeAHEC developed webinar)
- SCOPE of Pain (Safe and Appropriate Opioid Prescibing Education (2 hours - Boston University)
- Pathways to Safer Opioid Use
- NEW Breaking the Cycle: Opioid Epidemic - Chronic Pain and Safe Opioid Prescribing Best Practices (Charlotte AHEC)
- NEW Breaking the Cycle: Opioid Epidemic - Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (Charlotte AHEC)
- NEW Breaking the Cycle: Opioid Epidemic - Pain Management in the Cancer Patient (Charlotte AHEC)
- NEW Breaking the Cycle: Opioid Epidemic - Responsible Pain Management in the Emergency Department (Charlotte AHEC)
- NEW Breaking the Cycle: Opioid Epidemic - Considerations of Co-Morbid Mood and Anxiety in Chronic Pain (Charlotte AHEC)
- NEW A Guide to Rational Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain (3 hours - Mountain AHEC/Governor's Institute on Substance Abuse)
Low Cost Online Controlled Substances CME Opportunities
- NEW UNC Controlled Substances CME Grand Round Series: 1. Opioids for Chronic Pain: Present, Past and Where We Go From Here (UNC Health Care)
- NEW UNC Controlled Substances CME Grand Round Series: 2. Evaluation is Essential for Safe and Effective Pain Management Using Opioids (UNC Health Care)
- NEW UNC Controlled Substances CME Grand Round Series: 3. The Difficult Patient (UNC Health Care)