CDS Permit Continuing Education Requirements for Veterinarians

Any veterinarian who applies for an initial CDS permit or who applies to renew a CDS permit on or after October 1, 2018 must first take 2 CEs in prescribing or dispensing CDS. The CEs must be approved by the State Board. (See below) You will have to attest to taking these CEs when you apply for your CDS permit. 

Note: CDS permits are issued by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Office of Provider Engagement and CDS Registration – not the State Veterinary Board.  

Although the State Veterinary Board does not require new licensees to obtain CEs their first year of licensure, MDH does require licensees to have these 2 CEs before obtaining a CDS permit. 

This is a one-time requirement. If you already have a CDS permit, you only have to take these 2 CEs the first time you renew after October 1, 2018. These CEs may be used toward your annual CE requirement for license registration.

Qualifying courses

• Any webinar or CE course pertaining to the prescribing or dispensing of CDS that is RACE Approved. 
• Any webinar or CE course pertaining to the prescribing or dispensing of CDS by veterinarians that is provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), VetFolio, VetGirl, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA). 
• OPIOID 411 for Maryland Veterinarians  (2 CEs)
• ​Prescribing and Monitoring Controlled Substances (N.C. State Veterinary Board webinar) 2 CEs
• Opioid Minimal Anesthesia​ (1.5 CEs)
• The Prescription and Use of Opioids in Small Animal Patients (1.5 CEs) 
• Analgesia in an opioid shortage: Yes we can! (1 CE)
• Search CDC
• Understanding and Maintaining NY Controlled Substance Compliance (webtest - 2 CEs)

Qualifying workshops & conferences 

• The Maryland Veterinary Medical Association will present, "An easy Guide to Compliance - sponsored by Covetrus" at the Mid-Atlantic States Veterinary Clinic (May 16, 2019) and the MVMA Annual Summer Conference (June 24, 2019). Both sessions meet the 2 hour CE requirement.  
• New York Vet Conference Program 2018. November 8, 2018 session, "Controlled Substance Prescribing, Reporting, Record Keeping, and Diversion Prevention," Parts 1 and 2.   

MDH may audit permit holders for compliance. If you fraudulently obtain a CDS permit by attesting to taking these courses when you did not, you will be subject to fines and penalties from MDH and the State Board.