How to find free CME for mandatory requirements
Find free physician CME without assuming every topic match qualifies: check board approval, accreditation, current price and certificate details.
By Michael Rushton, DO · Physician founder of ClearCME
Last verified: · Verification methodology
Published: · Updated:
Start with the exact requirement
Write down the required topic, hours, accepted category, completion window and any approved-provider restriction before searching for a course. A free activity is useful only if it meets the requirement you actually owe.
Check the board’s approved-course list first when one exists. Texas human-trafficking training and New York mandated training have approval conditions that a generic topic search can miss.
Check whether free really means free
Open the specific activity page and confirm the current price, account requirements and whether the certificate is included. Membership-only access is different from free access available to every physician.
Check that the activity is still open for the relevant accreditation and that you can finish before its expiration. A saved recommendation can become stale even when the web page still loads.
Read the accreditation statement
Compare the actual category and hours with your license’s requirements. Do not assume AMA Category 1 and AOA Category 1-A are interchangeable for every board or subminimum.
If the activity promises state acceptance, look for the specific state, profession and requirement. Save the approval statement or approved-list entry alongside the certificate.
Avoid paying for a topic you already completed
Check your history before purchasing a one-time course. DEA permits qualifying earlier training and several eligibility pathways for MATE Act compliance. Read the federal guide before assuming you must buy a fresh eight-hour bundle.
For recurring state topics, verify the required interval and whether your prior course falls within it. One-time federal training does not automatically satisfy a recurring state course.
Use the library as a shortlist
Browse ClearCME’s topic pages to compare provider information, then verify the current activity and your board’s rules. The library is a discovery aid; a topic link alone is not an acceptance guarantee.
For Texas SB 31, the required course is the free TMB course through MyTMB. Outside courses do not substitute for that specific requirement. Follow the Texas guide’s primary-source link to the official course instructions.
Check the rules behind the plan
These state guides link to the primary board sources for the examples above. Current board rules and individual approvals control.
Questions physicians ask next
Does free CME count the same as paid CME?
Price does not establish acceptance. Check accreditation, content, timing and board approval for either a free or paid activity.
Can I finish every mandatory topic for free?
Availability varies. Check the current approved options for your degree and state. Do not infer that a free topic-related course is an approved substitute.
What if a course’s advertised price changed?
Use the provider’s current activity and checkout information. Report a stale listing so the catalog can be corrected; do not rely on an old price badge.