Introduction
Michigan physicians maintain their medical licenses through the Michigan Board of Medicine, which operates under the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). With a triennial (3-year) renewal cycle and 150 CME hours required per cycle, Michigan has one of the higher CME requirements when annualized.
Critical Update 2026: Michigan is withdrawing from the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) effective March 28, 2026. This affects physicians using the compact for Michigan licensure.
This guide covers everything Michigan physicians need to know about medical license renewal in 2026, including current fees, CME requirements, and the IMLC withdrawal implications.
Critical: Michigan IMLC Withdrawal
What's Happening
Effective March 28, 2026, Michigan will no longer participate in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | March 28, 2026 |
| Impact | No new IMLC applications to/from Michigan |
| Existing Licenses | Remain valid until expiration |
| Future Licensing | Traditional application required |
What This Means for Physicians
If you have an IMLC-issued Michigan license:
- License remains valid until its expiration date
- Renew directly through LARA going forward
- Cannot use IMLC for future Michigan renewals
If you planned to use IMLC for Michigan:
- Submit applications before March 28, 2026
- After that date, use traditional LARA application
If you use Michigan as your SPL:
- Find a new state of principal license for IMLC applications
- Michigan can no longer serve as SPL after March 28, 2026
Michigan Medical License Overview
Regulatory Authority
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Body | Michigan Board of Medicine |
| Parent Agency | LARA (Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) |
| Authority | MCL 333.17001 et seq. |
| Administrative Rules | R 338.7001 et seq. |
| Website | michigan.gov/lara |
License Types
| License Type | Description |
|---|---|
| MD License | Allopathic physicians |
| DO License | Osteopathic physicians |
| Limited License | Educational/training settings |
| Temporary License | Time-limited authorization |
Renewal Fees (as of January 2026)
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Triennial Renewal | ~$210-250 | Standard active license |
| Late Fee | Penalty applies | Check LARA schedule |
| Reinstatement | Varies | Depends on circumstances |
| Relicensure | Higher fee | After extended lapse |
Source: LARA Fee Schedule Last verified: January 22, 2026
Fee Context
Michigan's triennial fee represents:
- Annual equivalent: ~$70-85/year
- Comparison: Among the lowest annually
- Advantage: Low fee with high CME requirement
CME Requirements
Basic Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Hours | 150 per triennial period |
| Annual Average | 50 hours |
| Credit Type | AMA PRA Category 1 or equivalent |
| Cycle | 3 years |
High CME Requirement
Michigan requires 150 hours of CME per 3-year cycle—one of the highest total requirements nationally.
Comparison
| State | Hours | Cycle | Annual Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 150 | 3 years | 50 |
| Washington | 200 | 4 years | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | 100 | 2 years | 50 |
| Massachusetts | 100 | 2 years | 50 |
| California | 50 | 2 years | 25 |
Mandatory CME Topics
Michigan requires specific topics:
| Topic | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Pain and symptom management | 3 hours per cycle |
| Controlled substance prescribing | Required for prescribers |
| Medical ethics | May be required |
| Other topics | Check current LARA rules |
Accepted CME Credits
Michigan accepts:
- AMA PRA Category 1 credits
- AOA Category 1 credits
- AAFP Prescribed credits
- Specialty board MOC activities
- ACCME-accredited programs
Documentation Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Retention period | 4 years minimum |
| Format | Certificates with credit documentation |
| Audit | LARA may audit |
| Submission | Attestation at renewal; provide if audited |
Renewal Timeline
Triennial Cycle
Michigan uses a triennial (3-year) renewal cycle:
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | Every 3 years |
| Expiration | Based on license issuance |
| Renewal window | Opens ~90 days before |
| Renewal notice | Sent prior to expiration |
| Grace period | 60 days (lapsed status) |
Finding Your Expiration Date
- License document: Check printed date
- LARA portal: Online verification
- Contact LARA: Direct inquiry
Online Renewal Process
Using LARA Online Portal
- Access Portal: Visit michigan.gov/lara
- Log In: Use MiLogin credentials
- Select License: Choose physician license
- Complete Renewal:
- Verify personal information
- Update practice information
- Answer disclosure questions
- Certify CME completion (150 hours)
- Confirm mandatory topics completed
- Pay Fee: Submit payment electronically
- Confirmation: Save receipt
License Verification
Verify Michigan physician licenses at: https://aca-prod.accela.com/MILARA/
Consequences of Non-Renewal
Lapsed License
| Status | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Lapsed (60-day grace) | Can renew with late fees |
| Expired beyond grace | Cannot practice |
| Extended lapse | Relicensure may be required |
Legal Consequences
Under Michigan law, practicing medicine without a valid license:
- Is a criminal offense (felony)
- Subject to civil penalties up to $10,000
- Results in board disciplinary action
- May affect future licensing
Reinstatement vs. Relicensure
| Status | Process |
|---|---|
| Lapsed <3 years | Reinstatement (simpler) |
| Lapsed 3+ years | Relicensure (more extensive) |
Relicensure may require:
- Updated application
- Additional documentation
- Competency evaluation
- Higher fees
Michigan-Specific Requirements
Pain and Symptom Management
Michigan requires 3 hours of pain and symptom management CME per renewal cycle:
- Included in 150-hour total
- Must be specifically documented
- Covers appropriate prescribing practices
Controlled Substances
Michigan physicians prescribing controlled substances must:
- Register with Michigan MAPS (Automated Prescription System)
- Check MAPS before prescribing Schedule 2-5 drugs
- Complete opioid prescribing education
Telemedicine
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| License requirement | MI license required for MI patients |
| Out-of-state providers | Must be licensed in MI |
| Standards | Same standard of care as in-person |
| Prescribing | Subject to all MI prescribing rules |
Board of Medicine Authority
Disciplinary Actions
The Michigan Board of Medicine may impose:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Formal complaint | Investigation initiation |
| Reprimand | Formal censure |
| Probation | Supervised practice |
| Limitation | Practice restrictions |
| Suspension | Temporary license loss |
| Revocation | Permanent license loss |
| Fines | Civil penalties |
| CME requirements | Additional education |
Common Violations
| Violation | Examples |
|---|---|
| CME non-compliance | Failure to complete 150 hours |
| Missing mandatory topics | Pain management |
| Prescribing issues | Controlled substance violations |
| Standard of care | Medical negligence |
| Unprofessional conduct | Ethics violations |
| Impairment | Substance abuse |
| Fraud | False statements |
CME Planning for Michigan
Strategies for 150 Hours
Michigan's high CME requirement demands planning:
- 50 hours per year: Consistent annual effort
- Major conferences: 2-3 per year (40-60 hours total)
- Online learning: Flexible, often free
- Hospital programs: Grand rounds, institutional CME
- Specialty board MOC: Credits count toward requirement
- Pain management: Complete 3 required hours early
Mandatory Topic Resources
| Topic | Resources |
|---|---|
| Pain management | Michigan-approved programs, specialty societies |
| Opioid prescribing | SAMHSA, state programs |
Free CME Resources
| Resource | Type |
|---|---|
| Medscape | Online courses |
| CDC | Public health topics |
| Hospital programs | Internal education |
| Michigan State Medical Society | Member resources |
3-Year Planning
With a 3-year cycle:
- Create year-by-year plan (50 hours each)
- Track mandatory topics separately
- Don't wait until year 3
- Review progress annually
Address and Practice Updates
Required Notifications
Michigan physicians must notify LARA of:
- Address changes (within 30 days)
- Practice location changes
- Name changes (with documentation)
- Employment changes
How to Update
- Log into LARA portal
- Navigate to profile section
- Submit changes
- Provide documentation if required
Key Takeaways
- Michigan withdraws from IMLC March 28, 2026
- Triennial renewal with ~$210-250 fee (~$70-85/year)
- 150 CME hours required—high requirement (50/year)
- Pain management (3 hours) mandatory
- Online renewal through LARA portal
- MCL 333.17001 governs medical practice
- Plan CME carefully—50 hours per year needed
Conclusion
Michigan's IMLC withdrawal in 2026 significantly impacts multi-state practitioners. Physicians planning to use the compact for Michigan licensure must act before March 28, 2026, or pursue traditional licensure through LARA. The 150-hour CME requirement demands consistent annual effort to maintain compliance.
Use CredentialMate to track your Michigan license expiration, monitor progress toward 150 CME hours, ensure mandatory topics are completed, and receive timely renewal reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Michigan leaving the IMLC?
Michigan is withdrawing from the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact effective March 28, 2026. The specific legislative reasons vary, but physicians must now use traditional LARA licensing processes instead of the compact.
How many CME hours does Michigan require?
Michigan requires 150 hours of CME per triennial (3-year) renewal period. This equals 50 hours per year, making Michigan among the highest-requirement states annually.
What is the pain management CME requirement?
Michigan requires 3 hours of pain and symptom management CME per renewal cycle. This is included in the 150-hour total but must be specifically documented as pain management content.
How much does it cost to renew a medical license in Michigan?
The triennial renewal fee is approximately $210-250. When divided over 3 years, this equals roughly $70-85 annually—among the lowest in the nation.
What happens to my IMLC Michigan license after the withdrawal?
Existing IMLC-issued Michigan licenses remain valid until their expiration date. At renewal, you'll renew directly through LARA rather than through the IMLC. After March 28, 2026, new Michigan licenses cannot be obtained through the compact.
References
[1]: LARA - Michigan Board of Medicine https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health/medical-board
[2]: MCL 333.17001 - Public Health Code http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-333-17001
[3]: R 338.7001 - Board of Medicine Rules https://www.michigan.gov/lara/
[4]: LARA License Verification https://aca-prod.accela.com/MILARA/
[5]: Michigan MAPS https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health/maps
[6]: IMLC - Interstate Medical Licensure Compact https://www.imlcc.org