(a) The board shall promote a high degree of competence in the practice of medicine, osteopathy, and podiatry by requiring every licensee of medicine, osteopathy, and podiatry in the state to fulfill continuing education requirements.

(b) Before a license may be renewed, the licensee shall submit evidence to the board or its designee that continuing education requirements prescribed by regulations adopted by the board have been met. Continuing education requirements must include not less than two hours of education in pain management and opioid use and addiction in the two years preceding an application for renewal of a license, unless the licensee demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board that the licensee's practice does not include pain management and opioid treatment or prescribing.

(c) The board or its designee may exempt a physician, osteopath, or podiatrist from the requirements of (b) of this section upon an application by the physician, osteopath, or podiatrist giving evidence satisfactory to the board or its designee that the physician, osteopath, or podiatrist is unable to comply with the requirements because of extenuating circumstances. However, a person may not be exempted from more than 15 hours of continuing education in a five-year period; a person may not be exempted from the requirement to receive at least two hours of education in pain management and opioid use and addiction unless the person has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board that the person does not currently hold a valid federal Drug Enforcement Administration registration number.