If you hold a Tennessee physician assistant license, the Committee on Physician Assistants requires 100 hours of CME within the two-year period before renewal, approved by the AMA or AAPA. All PAs — even those without a DEA registration — must complete at least 2 hours of CME on controlled-substance prescribing, including the Tennessee Chronic Pain Guidelines. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
100 hours / 2 years
One hundred CME hours within the two years before renewal.
Controlled substances
At least 2 hours on controlled-substance prescribing per the state's guidelines.
Applies to all PAs
The controlled-substance requirement applies regardless of DEA registration.
AMA or AAPA approved
CME must be approved in content and format by the AMA or AAPA.
How many CME hours Tennessee PAs need
Tennessee requires 100 hours of CME every two years for physician assistants, approved in content and format by the AMA or AAPA.
Mandated subject requirements
- Controlled substances: at least 2 hours on controlled-substance prescribing, including the Department's treatment guidelines (Tennessee Chronic Pain Guidelines) on opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol — required of all PAs.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Tennessee PA licenses renew biennially. CME is attested at renewal and submitted only when the Committee conducts an audit.
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View pricingTennessee Physician Assistants (PA) CME at a glance
- Controlled Substance Prescribing2 hrs · biennial
All PAs must complete at least 2 hours of CME related to controlled-substance prescribing, including the Department's treatment guidelines on opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol. This applies regardless of whether the PA holds a DEA registration.
Always confirm with your licensing board
The Tennessee Committee on Physician Assistants requires PAs to complete 100 hours of CME within the two-year period before license renewal, approved in content and format by the AMA or AAPA. All licensees — regardless of DEA registration — must complete at least 2 hours of CME related to controlled-substance prescribing, including the Department's treatment guidelines (Tennessee Chronic Pain Guidelines). CME is attested at renewal and submitted only upon audit.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Tennessee Committee on Physician Assistants before relying on these figures.
Source: Tennessee Committee on Physician Assistants. 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 Tennessee or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Tennessee Physician Assistant CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do Tennessee PAs need?
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100 hours of CME every two years.
Does Tennessee require controlled-substance CME for PAs?
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Yes — all PAs must complete at least 2 hours related to controlled-substance prescribing, regardless of DEA registration.
What CME approval does Tennessee require for PAs?
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CME must be approved in content and format by the AMA or AAPA.
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