N.J. Admin. Code § 13:35-6.15

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 13:35-6.15 - Continuing medical education

(a) The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Category I" and "Category II" mean the categories of medical education courses recognized by the American Medical Association as credited toward the Physician Recognition Award, and those categories of medical education courses recognized by the American Osteopathic Association or the American Podiatric Medical Association.

"Licensee" means a physician or podiatrist licensed and subject to regulation by the Board of Medical Examiners (the "Board").

(b) Except as provided in (d) below, a licensee applying for a biennial license renewal shall complete 100 continuing medical education credits in Category I or Category II courses, of which at least 40 of such credits shall be in Category I.

(c) Commencing with the biennial renewal period beginning on July 1, 2013, two of the 40 credits in Category I courses shall, pursuant to P.L. 2011, c. 145 (N.J.S.A. 45:9-7.7), be in programs or topics related to end-of-life care. Commencing with the biennial renewal period beginning on July 1, 2017, one of the 40 credits in Category I courses shall, pursuant to P.L. 2017, c. 28, be in programs or topics concerning prescription opioid drugs, including responsible prescribing practices, alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion.

(d) An applicant for initial licensure who has completed an accredited graduate medical education program within 12 months prior to licensure shall be exempt from the continuing medical education requirements of this section for the initial biennial period of licensure. Notwithstanding such exemption from the continuing medical education requirements, the applicant, once licensed by the Board, shall complete, within 24 months of becoming licensed, an orientation course which is presented or approved by the Board.

(e) A licensee shall certify on the application for biennial licensure renewal that he or she has completed the required number of continuing medical education credits. The Board may conduct random audits to determine licensee compliance with the continuing medical education requirements of this section.

(f) A licensee who completes credits in excess of the 100 continuing medical education credits required pursuant to this section may apply no more than 25 of the excess credits to the continuing medical education requirements for the following biennial period only.

(g) Licensees holding an inactive or retired license shall be exempt from continuing medical education requirements, except that any licensee holding an inactive or retired license, or whose license is suspended or revoked, who applies to resume practice shall provide proof of having attained 50 credits of continuing medical education for each year out of practice in New Jersey. At least 50 credits shall have been obtained in the year preceding the application to resume practice. At the time of application to resume practice, the licensee shall provide proof of the completed continuing medical education during the period while out of practice in New Jersey. The Board may accept such continuing medical education credits or require additional credits as a condition to return to practice.

(h) The Board may delineate specific topics of medical education which the Board deems necessary to address a particular issue or problem. Notification of the specific topic(s) shall be through the Board newsletter, the Division of Consumer Affairs website or by direct communication to licensees.

(i) To report continuing medical education credits, a licensee shall:

1. Certify, on the application for biennial renewal, completion of the required number of continuing medical education credits; and

2. Maintain all evidence of verification of continuing medical education requirements for a period of six years after completion of the credits and submit such documentation to the Board upon request.

(j) The Board may extend the time period for completion of continuing medical education requirements or may waive continuing medical education requirements on an individual basis for reasons of hardship, such as severe illness, disability or military service, consistent with the following:

1. A licensee seeking an extension and/or waiver of the continuing medical education requirements shall apply to the Board in writing and set forth in specific detail the reasons for requesting the extension and/or waiver. The licensee shall submit to the Board all documentation in support of the extension and/or waiver;

2. A licensee shall apply for an extension and/or waiver within 60 days of the expiration of the biennial renewal period. All requests shall be sent to the Board office, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or other proof of delivery; and

3. An extension and/or waiver granted pursuant to this section shall be effective for the biennial licensure period in which the extension and/or waiver is granted. If the condition(s) which necessitated the extension and/or waiver continues into the next biennial period, the licensee shall apply to the Board for the renewal of such extension and/or waiver for the new biennial period.

(k) A licensee shall provide verification and proof of compliance with continuing medical education requirements for the prior biennial renewal period when appearing before an investigative committee of the Board or the Medical Practitioner Review Panel, or when required to do so pursuant to a Board Order, Directive or request.

(l) Failure to complete continuing medical education requirements or falsification of any information submitted on a renewal application shall provide cause for penalties and/or license suspension pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:1-21.

(m) A licensee may obtain up to 10 continuing medical education credits per biennial period by providing medical care outside of his or her medical office, without charge, to low-income patients for health care services for which patients are not covered by any public or private third-party payer. A licensee will obtain one continuing medical education credit for every two hours spent providing such volunteer medical services and shall document completion of such hours pursuant to (i)2 above.

(n) Continuing medical education credits obtained pursuant to (m) above shall not count towards the 40 credits required in Category I pursuant to (b) and (c) above.

(o) The Board may deny a licensee an opportunity to obtain any or all continuing medical education credits pursuant to (m) above if the Board determines that:

1. The licensee must complete all continuing medical education credits in order to maintain or restore professional competence; or

2. The licensee must complete continuing medical education credits in order to address developments in science or technology.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:35-6.15

Amended by 47 N.J.R. 2298(c), effective 9/8/2015

Amended by 51 N.J.R. 880(a), effective 6/3/2019

Amended by 51 N.J.R. 1849(b), effective 12/16/2019