California Antimicrobial Stewardship CE Requirements
Judicious use of medically important antimicrobial drugs — required for all California licensed veterinarians
The Global AMR Crisis
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats to global health. Understanding the scope helps explain why California mandates this CE.
Global AMR Deaths: Projected Trend (2019–2050)
Deaths directly attributable to bacterial AMR projected to nearly double
Source: The Lancet, Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project, 2024
⚠️ Why This Matters for Veterinarians
Veterinary medicine accounts for a significant portion of antimicrobial use globally. Judicious use in veterinary practice is critical to slowing resistance development — protecting both animal and human health through One Health principles.
The California Requirement
Under SB 361 (Hill), all California licensed veterinarians must complete antimicrobial stewardship CE:
- 1 credit hour minimum — of continuing education on the judicious use of medically important antimicrobial drugs
- Every 4 years — as a condition of license renewal
- All veterinarians — regardless of practice type (small animal, large animal, equine, mixed, etc.)
✅ What Counts as "Medically Important"
Medically important antimicrobial drugs are those listed in Appendix A of FDA Guidance for Industry #152, including critically important, highly important, and important antimicrobials used in human medicine.
Qualifying CE Topics
CE courses should cover one or more of the following areas:
🎯 Core Topics
- Judicious use of antimicrobials
- Antimicrobial stewardship principles
- Antimicrobial resistance mechanisms
- Appropriate prescribing practices
- Culture and sensitivity testing
📋 Regulatory Topics
- FDA Guidance for Industry #152
- Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD)
- California SB 27 requirements
- VCPR and prescription requirements
- Record-keeping requirements
Key California Legislation
📜 SB 361 (Hill) — CE Requirement
- Effective January 1, 2018
- 1 hour CE every 4 years
- Judicious use of MIADs
- Applies to all licensed DVMs
📜 SB 27 (Hill) — Prescription Requirement
- All livestock antimicrobials by Rx only
- VFD for medicated feed
- Valid VCPR required
- Eliminated OTC antimicrobials for livestock
🏛️ California: A National Leader
California was the first U.S. state to require antimicrobial stewardship CE for veterinarians and to mandate prescriptions for all medically important antimicrobials in food animals — setting a precedent for other states.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need to complete this CE?
The 1-hour antimicrobial CE must be completed within your 4-year renewal cycle. Check with the California VMB for your specific deadline based on your license renewal date.
Does this count toward my total CE hours?
Yes, this 1 hour counts toward your total 36 hours of CE required every 2 years in California. It's a subset, not an addition.
I'm a small animal vet — does this apply to me?
Yes. The requirement applies to all California licensed veterinarians, regardless of species focus. Antimicrobial stewardship is relevant across all practice types.
Where can I find approved courses?
RACE-approved courses on antimicrobial stewardship satisfy this requirement. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Veterinary Medical Board maintain lists of resources.