If you hold a Utah physician assistant license, the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) requires 40 hours of qualified continuing education every two-year renewal cycle, of which at least 34 hours must be AMA PRA Category 1 (ACCME-accredited). Unlike states that simply defer to NCCPA certification, Utah sets its own numeric standard under Utah Admin. Code R156-70a-304. PAs who prescribe controlled substances add a 3.5-hour prescribing requirement. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
40 hours / 2 years
Forty hours of qualified CE each biennial renewal cycle.
34 hours Category 1
At least 34 of the 40 hours must be AMA PRA Category 1.
Controlled substances (prescribers)
3.5 hours of controlled-substance prescribing CE for PAs with a controlled-substance license.
Renews May 31 (even years)
PA licenses expire May 31 of even-numbered years.
How many CME hours Utah PAs need
Utah requires 40 hours of continuing education every two years, with a minimum of 34 hours in AMA PRA Category 1 (ACCME-accredited) activities. AAPA-sponsored Category 1 programs qualify. Up to 15% of the requirement may be met through documented volunteer service.
Mandated subject requirements
- Controlled-substance prescribing: PAs holding a Utah controlled-substance prescriber license must complete 3.5 hours of prescribing CE each renewal period; a one-time SBIRT training satisfies the period requirement for cycles beginning after January 1, 2024.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Utah PA licenses renew biennially and expire on May 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal is by attestation; keep your documentation for at least two years after the cycle closes in case of audit.
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View pricingUtah Physician Assistants (PA) CME at a glance
- Controlled Substance Prescribing3.5 hrs · per renewal prescribers only
PAs who hold a Utah controlled-substance prescriber license must complete 3.5 hours of controlled-substance prescribing CE each renewal period (Utah Code 58-37-6.5; R156-37-402). A one-time SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) training satisfies that period's requirement for licensing periods beginning after January 1, 2024. PAs without a controlled-substance license are not subject to this requirement.
Always confirm with your licensing board
Utah physician assistant licenses are renewed biennially and expire May 31 of even-numbered years. The Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) requires 40 hours of qualified continuing education each cycle, of which at least 34 must be AMA PRA Category 1 (ACCME-accredited). AAPA-sponsored Category 1 programs are accepted. Maintaining NCCPA certification is not, by itself, the state standard — Utah sets its own numeric rule under Utah Admin. Code R156-70a-304.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before relying on these figures.
Source: Utah Division of Professional Licensing. 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 Utah or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Utah Physician Assistant CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do Utah PAs need?
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40 hours of qualified continuing education every two years, including at least 34 hours of AMA PRA Category 1.
Does Utah accept NCCPA certification in lieu of CME for PAs?
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No — Utah sets its own numeric CE rule (40 hours / 34 Category 1). Specialty board activity can count toward CE, but the state standard is independent of NCCPA certification.
Do Utah PAs need controlled-substance CME?
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Only PAs who hold a Utah controlled-substance prescriber license, who must complete 3.5 hours of prescribing CE each renewal period (a one-time SBIRT training satisfies a period for cycles after January 1, 2024).
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