If you hold a Pennsylvania physician assistant license, the State Board of Medicine requires PAs to maintain current NCCPA certification and complete CME as required by NCCPA — 100 hours every two years, at least 50 Category 1. Pennsylvania adds a 2-hour child abuse recognition and reporting course each renewal (Act 31), and prescribers must complete 2 hours of pain/opioid CME each renewal plus a one-time 4 hours within a year of receiving prescriptive authority. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
100 hours / 2 years
Met through NCCPA certification — at least 50 hours Category 1.
Child abuse training
2 hours of Act 31 child abuse recognition and reporting each renewal.
Opioid CME
2 hours each renewal for PAs with prescriptive authority.
Initial prescriber education
One-time 4 hours within a year of receiving prescriptive authority.
How many CME hours Pennsylvania PAs need
Pennsylvania requires PAs to maintain current NCCPA certification and complete NCCPA-required CME — 100 hours every two years (at least 50 Category 1).
Mandated subject requirements
- Child abuse: 2 hours of Act 31 recognition and reporting training each renewal.
- Opioids: 2 hours each renewal for PAs with prescriptive authority.
- Initial prescriber education: a one-time 4 hours within a year of receiving prescriptive authority.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Pennsylvania PA licenses renew biennially. Maintain your NCCPA certification, complete the 2-hour child abuse course, and any prescriber opioid requirements before renewal.
Know exactly what CME you need.
Tell us your license type, state, and renewal date. We map your required hours, the state-mandated topics, and your deadline — a clear, personalized plan for a flat $99.
View pricingPennsylvania Physician Assistants (PA) CME at a glance
- Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting (Act 31)2 hrs · biennial
PAs must complete 2 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training each renewal under Act 31 of 2014.
- Pain Management / Opioid Prescribing (prescribers)2 hrs · biennial
PAs with prescriptive authority must complete 2 hours each renewal in pain management, identification of addiction, or the practices of prescribing or dispensing opioids.
- Initial Prescriber Education4 hrs · one time
Within one year of receiving prescriptive authority, PAs complete a one-time 4 hours: 2 in pain management or addiction, and 2 in the practices of prescribing or dispensing opioids.
Always confirm with your licensing board
PAs licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine must maintain current NCCPA certification (or other board-recognized national certification) and complete CME as required by NCCPA — 100 hours every two years, at least 50 Category 1. Pennsylvania also requires 2 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training each renewal (Act 31). PAs with prescriptive authority must complete 2 hours of pain management, addiction identification, or opioid prescribing each renewal, plus a one-time 4 hours within one year of receiving prescriptive authority.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine before relying on these figures.
Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine. 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 Pennsylvania or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Pennsylvania Physician Assistant CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do Pennsylvania PAs need?
+
100 CME hours every two years through NCCPA certification maintenance, at least 50 of which are Category 1.
Does Pennsylvania require child abuse training for PAs?
+
Yes — 2 hours of Act 31 child abuse recognition and reporting training each renewal.
Do Pennsylvania PA prescribers need opioid CME?
+
Yes — 2 hours each renewal, plus a one-time 4 hours within a year of receiving prescriptive authority.
Related
Need help meeting your Pennsylvania PA CME before renewal?
Tell us your license type and renewal month and we'll map the fastest compliant path — required hours, mandated topics, and your deadline — for a flat $99.
- Flat $99 per plan
- Every license type
- All 50 states
Get my CME plan
Tell us your license type, state, and renewal — we'll map exactly what you need.