MMA Obtains BMP Clarification on Reporting of Mandatory Opioid Education CME

January 5, 2023

The MMA asked the Board of Medical Practice (BMP) to provide further information about credit submission processes for physicians who have completed legislatively mandated education on prescribing opioids and other controlled substances by the December 31, 2022, deadline, but have not reported it to the BMP.  

Physicians who tried to submit information to the BMP after December 31, 2022, to demonstrate compliance with the CME requirement, received an automatic reply noting that, “the BMP will NOT process submissions specific to this legislation received on or after January 1, 2023.” No additional information was provided.  

In response to inquiries from the MMA, the BMP, earlier this week, said that there will not be any action taken against a licensee for failing to report their opioid prescribing CME by December 31, 2022. The decision to stop processing submissions was made to redirect staff resources elsewhere.  

Licensees may, however, be subject to a random CME audit. In that case, the licensee would be required to provide documentation of course completion. Licensees who have completed the mandatory CME should retain documentation and be prepared to submit it if audited. If an individual cannot show proof of course completion within the required date range, the BMP may open a complaint against the licensee. 

In 2019, the Minnesota legislature passed Minnesota Statute 214.12, subd. 6 that required licensees with the authority to prescribe controlled substances to obtain at least two hours of CME on best practices in prescribing opioids and controlled substances by December 31, 2022. The completion of the CME was also required to be reported to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (BMP) by the same date.  

Contact MMA with further questions. 

Please contact the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice for specific questions regarding the status of your license.