If you hold a New Jersey physician assistant license, the State Board of Medical Examiners requires at least 50 Category 1 continuing education credit hours every two-year renewal cycle under N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8. Unlike many states that simply defer to NCCPA certification, New Jersey writes its CME rule directly into its regulations, including a specific opioid-prescribing credit. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
50 hours / 2 years
Fifty Category 1 credits each biennial renewal cycle (AMA, AAPA, AAFP, AOA, or ACCME approved).
Opioid prescribing
At least 1 of the 50 credits must cover responsible opioid prescribing, alternatives to opioids, and signs of abuse and diversion.
Perinatal bias training
PAs providing perinatal care must add 1 credit of implicit/explicit bias training (phasing in from 2026).
First cycle proration
PAs licensed for less than a full biennium may complete a reduced number of credits in their first cycle.
How many CME hours New Jersey PAs need
New Jersey requires a minimum of 50 Category 1 CME credit hours every two years. Credits must be from courses approved by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Osteopathic Association, or the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education. The requirement is tied to your biennial license renewal.
Mandated subject requirements
- Opioid prescribing: at least one of the 50 credits must address responsible prescribing of opioid drugs, non-opioid alternatives for pain, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion.
- Perinatal implicit/explicit bias: PAs who provide perinatal care must complete one credit of bias training (phasing in for renewals after May 5, 2026).
Both mandated credits count toward the 50-hour total.
NCCPA certification vs. New Jersey's requirement
New Jersey defines its CME requirement directly in regulation rather than simply requiring NCCPA certification. Many PAs satisfy both at once because Category 1 credits accepted by the Board also count toward NCCPA's 100-credit, 24-month cycle, but the state's 50-credit rule is what governs license renewal.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
New Jersey physician assistant licenses renew every two years. Complete and document your 50 Category 1 credits before your renewal deadline. PAs in their first, partial cycle may complete a prorated number of credits.
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View pricingNew Jersey Physician Assistants (PA) CME at a glance
- Prescription Opioid Drugs1 hr · every cycle
At least one of the 50 required Category 1 credits must address prescription opioid drugs, including responsible prescribing practices, alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion. This credit counts toward the 50-hour total.
- Perinatal Implicit/Explicit Bias1 hr · every cycle
Physician assistants who provide perinatal care must complete one credit of explicit and implicit bias training related to perinatal treatment (phased in beginning with renewals after May 5, 2026). Applies only to PAs delivering perinatal care; counts toward the 50-hour total.
Always confirm with your licensing board
New Jersey physician assistant licenses renew biennially. The State Board of Medical Examiners (through its Physician Assistant Advisory Committee) sets the CME requirement directly in N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8: a minimum of 50 Category 1 credit hours per biennial period. This is a state-defined requirement and is distinct from any CME you complete to maintain NCCPA certification, though qualifying Category 1 credits can satisfy both.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners (Physician Assistant Advisory Committee) before relying on these figures.
Source: New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners (Physician Assistant Advisory Committee). Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Licensed in more than one state?
PA Licensure Compact: enacted but not yet active. Enacted by enough states and a commission is standing up, but NOT yet issuing the compact privilege — PAs still license state-by-state.
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
Also licensing in New Jersey or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
New Jersey Physician Assistant CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do New Jersey PAs need?
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At least 50 Category 1 credit hours every two years.
Is an opioid prescribing course required for New Jersey PAs?
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Yes — at least one of the 50 required credits must cover responsible opioid prescribing, alternatives to opioids, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion.
Does New Jersey just accept NCCPA certification for PA renewal?
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No — New Jersey sets its own 50 Category 1 credit requirement in N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8. Qualifying credits often satisfy both the state rule and NCCPA, but the state requirement is what governs license renewal.
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