Role of state medical boards in continuing medical education.

The evaluation of physician competency prior to issuing an initial medical license has been a fundamental responsibility of medical boards. Growing public expectation holds that medical boards will ensure competency throughout a physician's career. The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) strongly supports the right of state medical boards to require physicians to demonstrate continuing qualification for medical licensure. The FSMB views continuing medical education (CME) as an important component of any maintenance-of-competence initiative. Most medical boards require CME as part of their license renewal process. Learner-focused CME with measurable outcomes enables the medical profession's emphasis on core competencies, training, and assessment, and the general public's expectation for maintenance of physician competence. To effectively move their licensee populations toward the most effective CME tools and structure, medical boards must recognize physicians' educational needs and preferences. Medical boards can be proactive by fostering educational consortia involving medical boards, medical societies, and academic medical centers and featuring educational sessions that represent the best in current CME practices.