If you hold a Rhode Island physician assistant license, the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline requires 25 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 CME annually, or active NCCPA certification. Licenses renew annually by June 30. Schedule II opioid prescribers must complete a one-time 8 hours of Category 1 CME on opioid prescribing. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
25 hours / year
Twenty-five AMA PRA Category 1 CME hours annually, or NCCPA certification.
June 30 renewal
Rhode Island PA licenses renew annually by June 30.
NCCPA pathway
Active NCCPA certification may be accepted in lieu of CME credits.
Opioid (one-time)
Schedule II prescribers complete a one-time 8-hour opioid course.
How many CME hours Rhode Island PAs need
Rhode Island requires 25 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 CME annually for physician assistants, or active NCCPA certification in lieu of CME credits.
Mandated subject requirements
- Opioids: Schedule II prescribers complete a one-time 8 hours of Category 1 CME (effective January 4, 2022) on appropriate opioid prescribing, pharmacology, adverse events, dependence, substance use disorder, and alternatives to opioids.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Rhode Island PA licenses renew annually by June 30. Complete and document 25 Category 1 hours each year, or maintain active NCCPA certification.
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View pricingRhode Island Physician Assistants (PA) CME at a glance
- Opioid Prescribing (Schedule II prescribers)8 hrs · one time
Schedule II opioid prescribers must complete a one-time 8 hours of Category 1 CME (effective January 4, 2022) covering appropriate opioid prescribing for pain, pharmacology, adverse events, dependence/tolerance, substance use disorder, and alternatives to opioids.
Always confirm with your licensing board
The Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline requires PAs to complete 25 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 CME annually, or to maintain active NCCPA certification. Licenses renew annually by June 30. Schedule II opioid prescribers have a one-time requirement (effective January 4, 2022) of 8 hours of Category 1 CME on appropriate opioid prescribing, pharmacology, adverse events, dependence and substance use disorder, and alternatives to opioids.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline before relying on these figures.
Source: Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. 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 Rhode Island or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Rhode Island Physician Assistant CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do Rhode Island PAs need?
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25 AMA PRA Category 1 CME hours per year, or active NCCPA certification.
When do Rhode Island PA licenses renew?
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Annually by June 30.
Do Rhode Island PAs need opioid CME?
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Schedule II opioid prescribers must complete a one-time 8 hours of Category 1 CME on opioid prescribing.
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