(a) (1) All physicians and surgeons shall complete a mandatory continuing education course in the subjects of pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients. For the purposes of this section, this course shall be a one-time requirement of 12 credit hours within the required minimum established by regulation, to be completed by December 31, 2006. All physicians and surgeons licensed on and after January 1, 2002, shall complete this requirement within four years of their initial license or by their second renewal date, whichever occurs first. The board may verify completion of this requirement on the renewal application form.

(2) For physicians and surgeons licensed on or after January 1, 2019, the course described in paragraph (1) shall also include the subject of the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs.

(b) By regulatory action, the board may exempt physicians and surgeons by practice status category from the requirement in subdivision (a) if the physician and surgeon does not engage in direct patient care, does not provide patient consultations, or does not reside in the State of California.

(c) This section shall not apply to physicians and surgeons practicing in pathology or radiology specialty areas.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 693, Sec. 3. (SB 1109) Effective January 1, 2019.)