If you hold a North Carolina physician assistant license, the North Carolina Medical Board requires at least 50 hours of NCCPA Category I continuing medical education every two years. The board accepts current NCCPA certification as proof you have met the 50-hour requirement, so most PAs simply attest to certification at their annual renewal. One requirement is not waived by that attestation: if you prescribe controlled substances, you must complete 2 hours of CME on controlled substance prescribing. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
50 hours / 2 years
Fifty NCCPA Category I CME hours over each rolling two-year period.
NCCPA certification counts
Current NCCPA certification satisfies the 50-hour requirement — just attest at renewal.
Controlled substances (2 hrs)
Prescribers must complete 2 hours of controlled substance prescribing CME, even if NCCPA-certified.
Annual renewal by birthday
The PA license renews each year on the PA's birthday.
How many CME hours North Carolina PAs need
North Carolina requires at least 50 hours of NCCPA Category I CME every two years. A physician assistant who holds current certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is deemed to have met this requirement and attests to current certification at renewal.
Mandated subject requirements
- Controlled substance prescribing: PAs who prescribe controlled substances must complete at least 2 of their 50 hours on controlled substance prescribing practices, including prescribing for chronic pain management. This requirement is not waived by NCCPA certification.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
North Carolina PA licenses renew annually on the licensee's birthday, while the 50-hour CME requirement is measured over a rolling two-year period. Keep documentation of your CME available for inspection by the board on request.
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View pricingNorth Carolina Physician Assistants (PA) CME at a glance
- Controlled Substance Prescribing2 hrs · per 2 year cycle
A physician assistant who prescribes controlled substances must complete at least 2 of the 50 CME hours specifically on controlled substance prescribing practices, including instruction on controlled substance prescribing for chronic pain management. This requirement applies even to PAs who otherwise satisfy CME through current NCCPA certification.
Always confirm with your licensing board
North Carolina physician assistants are licensed and renewed by the NC Medical Board. The license is renewed annually by the PA's birthday, but the CME requirement is measured over a rolling two-year period: at least 50 hours of NCCPA Category I CME every two years. A PA who holds current NCCPA certification is deemed to satisfy the 50-hour requirement and simply attests to current certification at renewal — but that NCCPA attestation does not exempt a prescriber from the separate 2-hour controlled substance prescribing CME.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the North Carolina Medical Board before relying on these figures.
Source: North Carolina Medical Board. 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 North Carolina or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
North Carolina Physician Assistant CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do North Carolina PAs need?
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At least 50 hours of NCCPA Category I CME every two years. Current NCCPA certification satisfies this requirement.
Does NCCPA certification satisfy North Carolina's CME requirement?
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Yes — a PA with current NCCPA certification is deemed to meet the 50-hour requirement and attests to certification at renewal. However, this does not waive the controlled substance prescribing CME.
Do North Carolina PAs need controlled substance prescribing CME?
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Yes, if you prescribe controlled substances. You must complete 2 of your CME hours on controlled substance prescribing, including prescribing for chronic pain management — even if you are NCCPA-certified.
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