Published February 20, 2026
Top California CME Conferences for Primary Care Clinicians in 2026
Finding high-quality, accredited CME/CE opportunities that fit your demanding schedule while meeting state requirements can feel overwhelming. Between patient appointments, administrative duties, and maintaining work-life balance, continuing education often gets pushed aside.
California stands out as a premier destination for the best California CME/CE conferences, offering an unbeatable combination of world-class medical institutions, cutting-edge clinical education, and desirable conference locations. From San Diego's beaches to San Francisco's innovation hubs, California provides primary care clinicians with exceptional opportunities to advance their clinical skills while exploring vibrant cities.
Why Attend CME/CE Conferences in California?
California is home to some of the country's most prestigious academic medical centers, including UCSF, Stanford, UCLA, and UC Davis. These institutions are at the forefront of clinical research and healthcare delivery, and their expertise shapes the top California CME/CE conferences held throughout the state.
When you attend a California-based CME/CE conference, you gain access to leading faculty members pioneering new approaches to patient care. The networking opportunities are invaluable—connecting with top-tier clinicians can spark collaborations and refresh your approach to patient care.
Beyond academic benefits, California conferences offer practical advantages. You can efficiently fulfill your state's CME/CE requirements through engaging in-person formats. And combining professional development with trips to San Diego, San Francisco, or Anaheim makes continuing education significantly more appealing.
California's CME/CE Requirements for Healthcare Professionals
Understanding your state's CME/CE requirements is essential for maintaining licensure. California has specific continuing education requirements for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants that vary by profession. To ensure you're meeting all necessary requirements, visit the comprehensive guide at California CME Requirements.
Attending accredited California conferences provides an efficient pathway to meeting these requirements while staying current on the latest clinical guidelines and treatment protocols.
Benefits of In-Person vs. Virtual CME Conferences
While virtual CME/CE offers flexibility, cost savings, and accessibility, in-person conferences provide unique benefits. In-person events create immersive learning environments with hands-on workshops, spontaneous discussions with faculty, and valuable networking during breaks and evening receptions.
The ideal approach often involves a mix of both formats, selecting in-person conferences for topics that benefit from interactive learning while utilizing virtual CME for targeted knowledge updates.
Top California CME/CE Conferences in 2026
We've curated the most valuable, well-accredited conferences taking place in California in 2026. These have been selected for their relevance to primary care clinicians, offering evidence-based content delivered by expert faculty.
Pri-Med West 2026 – Anaheim, California
Dates: April 9-11, 2026
Location: Anaheim, California
Credits Available: Earn up to 19.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ or 19.00 AANP contact hours of continuing education or 19.00 CA Board of Registered Nursing contact hours. New for physicians: Pri-Med will report your AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ credits directly to the ACCME!
Pri-Med West has built a stellar reputation for delivering practical, evidence-based sessions led by nationally recognized faculty. This conference focuses on actionable clinical content covering chronic disease management, preventive care updates, mental health integration, dermatology for primary care, and cardiovascular guidelines.
Visit the Pri-Med West conference page for the full agenda and registration information.
UCSF Primary Care Medicine
Dates: Various 2026 dates
Location: San Francisco, California
Credits Available: Varies by course
UCSF's conferences are known for academic rigor and integrating the latest clinical guidelines into practice. Sessions cover evidence-based approaches to common conditions, screening recommendations, and medication management strategies. UCSF faculty are often the researchers behind the guidelines you're implementing.
Explore upcoming courses at UCSF CME.
UC Davis Health CME Conferences
Dates: Multiple 2026 offerings
Location: Sacramento and online
Credits Available: Varies by course
UC Davis Health provides flexibility with on-demand and live-stream courses across specialties including primary care, cardiology, endocrinology, and infectious diseases. This format allows you to access high-quality education without disrupting your clinical schedule.
Browse the calendar at UC Davis Health CME.
MCE Conferences
Dates: Multiple 2026 dates
Location: Various California locations
Credits Available: Varies by conference
MCE Conferences specialize in targeted, specialty-specific CME in convenient California locations. If you're looking to deep-dive into sports medicine, women's health, urgent care, or another specialty, MCE offers focused content beyond surface-level overviews.
View upcoming conferences at MCE Conferences.
American Medical Seminars – San Diego
Dates: Multiple 2026 offerings
Location: San Diego, California
Credits Available: Varies by seminar
American Medical Seminars combines high-quality CME with San Diego's pleasant weather and beautiful beaches. Sessions cover preventive medicine updates, chronic disease management, new medication reviews, and practical office procedures.
Discover opportunities at American Medical Seminars - San Diego.
Scripps Health – San Diego
Dates: Check 2026 calendar
Location: San Diego, California
Credits Available: Varies by course
Scripps Health provides evidence-based, clinically relevant CME across numerous specialties. Their conferences emphasize practical application with strategies you can implement immediately. Courses range from broad primary care updates to focused specialty topics.
Explore options at Scripps Health CME.
How to Choose the Right California CME Conference
Selecting the right conference requires matching it to your specific circumstances and learning goals. Consider your specialty focus, credit requirements, learning format preferences, and schedule constraints.
Matching Conference Content to Your Clinical Needs
Review conference agendas carefully, looking for sessions addressing your most common clinical challenges or knowledge gaps. Prioritize conferences with faculty who are recognized experts and sessions offering practical, evidence-based takeaways.
If you frequently manage diabetic patients, seek diabetes management sessions. If dermatologic conditions challenge you, prioritize conferences with strong dermatology tracks.
Evaluating Accreditation & Credit Hours
Verify that conferences are accredited by recognized bodies: ACCME for physicians, ANCC for nurses, AAPA for physician assistants. Confirm that credits earned will satisfy your specific state and specialty board requirements.
Some states require certain topics like pain management or cultural competency. Ensure your chosen conference addresses these mandated subjects if needed for license renewal. For more detailed information on meeting California-specific requirements, review the California CME state requirements.
Considering Location and Travel Logistics
California's geography means conference locations vary significantly. San Diego offers beach access and mild weather, San Francisco provides urban culture and innovation, while Anaheim delivers entertainment options and family-friendly attractions.
Consider travel costs, accommodation availability, and whether you can extend your stay for leisure. Some clinicians find combining CME/CE with vacation time makes the investment more worthwhile.
Maximizing Your Conference Experience
To get the most value from your conference investment, plan ahead. Review the agenda before arriving and identify must-attend sessions. Prepare questions for faculty based on your clinical challenges. Bring business cards for networking. Take notes during sessions and immediately apply new knowledge when you return to practice. Follow up with faculty or colleagues you meet to maintain valuable professional connections.
Conclusion: Invest in Your Professional Growth
Continuing medical education represents more than a licensing requirement—it's an investment in clinical excellence, patient care quality, and career satisfaction. The best California CME/CE conferences keep you current with evolving standards while connecting you with colleagues facing similar challenges.
California's outstanding CME/CE offerings provide opportunities to fulfill these goals while experiencing attractive destinations. Developed by UCLA faculty, we especially encourage primary care clinicians to explore Pri-Med West 2026 in Anaheim. With up to 19.00 CME/CE credits available, nationally recognized faculty, and practical focus on real-world clinical challenges, Pri-Med West offers exceptional value for comprehensive primary care updates.
Register for Pri-Med West 2026 and take the next step toward clinical excellence. Your patients—and your career—will thank you.