Here I am—a retired physician who still wants to maintain his license… just in case.
You know, in case I get bored. Or miss charting. (Okay… maybe not that.)
To keep a medical license active, you need to track Continuing Medical Education (CME). Every state has its own rules, categories, and requirements—which means staying organized matters.
Back when I was practicing, I paid organizations like the American Osteopathic Association to track my CME. The cost? Over $700 per year.
What did I really use?
- CME tracking
- …and a vague sense that someone, somewhere, was representing me
Now on a fixed income, I don’t need a lobby.
I just need a simple way to track my CME without lighting $700 on fire every year.
So naturally… I built one. A free CME Tracker for Doctors.
Meet CMETracker
Since I have a background in software development (and apparently too much free time), I created a lightweight desktop application that does exactly what I need—nothing more, nothing less:
- Track CME credits by category and type
- Filter entries by date range
- Generate printable and PDF reports
- Run on Linux, Windows, and macOS
- No cloud. No accounts. No subscriptions. No nonsense.
And et voilà—CMETracker was born.
👉 Download it here:
https://bytesbreadbbq.com/cme-tracking-app-for-doctors/
Why Java? (Or: How to Make Everyone Equally Happy)
To make CMETracker truly cross-platform, I built it in Java.
Now, I’m a Linux guy at heart—so yes, there’s a clean, easy AppImage for Linux users (because life is too short for dependency issues).
But I also provide a JAR version, which works anywhere Java runs:
- Linux
- Windows
- macOS
If Java (version 21 or higher) is installed, just run:
java -jar CMETracker.jar
And you’re off to the races.
Because honestly—why should only the Linux crowd enjoy free, simple CME tracking?
Healthcare providers everywhere deserve better than overpriced spreadsheets with a logo.
A Quick Reality Check
CMETracker is a tool—not a governing body.
- It tracks what you enter
- It does not validate state requirements
- It will not call your licensing board and argue on your behalf (sorry)
If you need guidance on CME requirements by state, here’s a helpful resource:
https://www.cmemeeting.org/articles/a-comprehensive-guide-to-physicians-cme-requirements-by-state
Open Source and Available
You can also find CMETracker on GitHub:
https://github.com/RossContino1/CMETracker
Final Thoughts
This app exists for one simple reason:
I didn’t want to pay $700 a year to count hours.
If you’re in the same boat—physician, nurse, or healthcare professional trying to stay organized without subscriptions, logins, or corporate overhead—this is for you.
Simple. Local. Yours.
No cloud. No fees. No barbecue required.
(But highly recommended.)