New Mandatory Substance Use Disorder CME Requirement

The Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021 went into effect on June 27, 2023. The MATE ACT requires all physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete relevant and accredited opioid or other substance use disorder training. 

The MATE ACT aims to aid practitioners in screening substance use disorders, preventing drug misuse, and offering appropriate pain treatments. Together with the DEA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also endorses this bill. 

Acquiring 8 hours of applicable continuing medical education (CME) credits is now obligatory for all Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registrants looking to renew or obtain a new license. 

• Board-certified addiction psychiatry or addiction medicine physicians 
• Physicians who have met the DATA-2000 waiver requirements to prescribe buprenorphine 
• Physicians who have graduated from an accredited medical school where more than 8 hours of substance use disorder training was provided in the 5 years immediately preceding the application or renewal of their license to prescribe controlled substances 
• Nurses or physician assistants who have graduated from an accredited school where more than 8 hours of substance use disorder training was provided in the 5 years immediately preceding the application or renewal of their license to prescribe controlled substances

• SAMHSA recommends CME-credited content relevant to preventing, treating, recognizing, and / or managing substance use disorders. 
• Some substance use disorder core topic areas include palliative care, chronic pain management, opioid misuse, and / or management of substance use for other medical comorbidities. 
• The CME credits can be courses, training, online activities, seminars, or an enduring material format recognized by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
  • For nonphysicians (physician assistants and nurse practitioners) approved providers can include the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, or any other organization that the Secretary determines is appropriate. 
• The 8 hours can be completed in one session or broken into multiple accredited activities. 
• Completing the MATE ACT CME requirements will also allow learners to meet their relevant individual medical state licensing board requirements. 

The Essentials of Addiction Medicine course by Dr Stephen R. Holt meets 6 out of the 8 CME credit requirements under the MATE ACT. The course will equip you with the behavioral, pharmacological, and clinical skills required to handle the most commonly encountered substance use disorders.

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to use accurate and patient-centered language to diagnose, assess, manage, and treat substance use disorders. Note that CME credits and certificates are only offered under the Pro membership plan but this gives you access to more than 350 CME credits across all courses and workshops within Medmastery’s library. 

Details

• The Essentials of Addiction Medicine course is awarded 6 CME credits by ACCME
• Effectively treat alcohol detoxification, opioid use disorder, benzodiazepine use disorder, acute intoxication from club drug toxidromes, and cannabis use disorder 
• Entirely video-based and self-paced (video length about 6 minutes on average)
• Covers all areas of SAMHSA-recommended substance use disorder criteria
• Downloadable CME certificate as proof of completion of the course