1. New NC Medical Board Opioid Prescribing CME Requirements
April 13, 2017
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2. Why New Requirements?
Opioid deaths are at a all time high in North Carolina
Provider prescribing habits play a significant role
The hope is that education will help decrease the rate
Statistically significant drug overdose death rate increase from 2014 to 2015

3. North Carolina Medical Board – NEW Requirement
Starting July 1, 2017, all physicians who prescribe any controlled substances are required to complete 3 hours of category 1 CME over their three year cycle, physicians assistants are required to complete 2 hours of category 1 CME in their 2 year cycle
You should receive an from the NCMB by the end of April to inform you what year of the 3 year cycle you are in.
If you are in year 3 you must complete 3 hours of CME to cover all of the following topics:
- Controlled substances prescribing
- Recognizing signs of the abuse or misuse of controlled substances
- Controlled substance prescribing for pain management
See the following link for useful FAQ’s:

4. This is what the email looks like

5. Free Course Links:
**Please view in slide show mode in order to allow hyperlink functionality**
Controlled Substance Prescribing: What every Provider Needs to Know (1hr CME)
Scope of Pain (2 hrs CME)
2016 SAFE Opioid Prescribing: Strategies, Assessment, Fundamental, Education (3.5 hrs CME)

6. Up To Date CME
The following sections in Up To Date, accessed through can be used to complete the new requirement.
Controlled substances prescribing practices
Prescription drug misuse: Epidemiology, prevention, identification and management
Prevention of lethal drug overdose in the community
Recognizing signs and symptoms of the abuse or misuse of controlled substances
Substance use disorder: Principles for recognition and assessment in general medical
care
Controlled substance prescribing for chronic pain management
Overview of the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain
Management of acute pain in the patient chronically using opioids
Cancer pain management: General principles and risk management for patients
receiving opioids
If you have not used Up To Date via to complete CME, instructions can be found in the attached slides entitled UpToDateCME.

7. FAQ
How do I find out where I am in my CME cycle or how many hours I have completed?
Physicians can login to NCMB’s Licensee Information portal using their FileID# and date of birth. The tab “Preferences/CME” will display the number of CME hours in the current cycle. PAs can either review their renewal confirmation page, or the renewal coordinator for information on their CME cycle: