Several members have contacted ISMA about a letter they recently received from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA). The letter notifies physicians that a new state law, which takes effect July 1, requires anyone applying for or renewing a Controlled Substances Registration (CSR) in Indiana to have completed two hours of continuing medical education (CME) on opioid prescribing and abuse in the previous two years.

To clarify, it is not necessary to complete the required CME courses by July 1. Practitioners actually have until Oct. 31 to earn this credit, since physician licenses expire Oct. 31 of every odd-numbered year, and CSR renewals fall due at the same time. 

Additional information about Indiana controlled substance prescribing laws and licensure renewals can be found on the PLA’s webpages.