PA CME Requirements by State: What Physician Assistants Need to Know

PA CME requirements come in two layers: the national NCCPA standard (100 credits every two years, at least 50 Category 1) and your state’s licensure requirements. The good news is that most state boards accept current NCCPA certification as satisfying the CME needed for license renewal — but some states add their own rules, so it’s worth confirming with your board.

Two layers: certification vs. licensure

It helps to separate the two things PAs have to keep up:

• NCCPA certification maintenance (national). To keep your PA-C, you log 100 CME credits every two years, at least 50 of them Category 1. This is the same in every state — see how many CME credits PAs need for the full breakdown.
• State licensure (varies). Each state’s medical or PA board sets what you need to renew your license to practice in that state.

Most states accept NCCPA certification

According to the AAPA, most state licensing boards accept current NCCPA certification as a proxy for the CME required at license renewal. In practical terms, if you are keeping up your NCCPA certification, you are usually meeting your state’s CME requirement at the same time — one set of credits covers both.

Where states differ

Some states layer on their own requirements. Common differences include:

• A set number of CME hours per renewal cycle — sometimes only required if you are not maintaining NCCPA certification.
• Mandatory topics — many states require CME on controlled-substance or opioid prescribing, and some require subjects such as pain management, human trafficking, or implicit bias.
• Different renewal cycles — state license renewal dates don’t always line up with your NCCPA two-year cycle.

These requirements change from year to year, so your state board is always the authority.

How to check your state

Find your board through the AAPA’s list of state licensing boards, then confirm two things: whether NCCPA certification satisfies your state’s CME requirement, and whether your state mandates any specific CME hours or topics.

Meeting the requirement either way

Our packages are accredited for AAPA Category 1 CME, which counts toward your NCCPA certification and, in most states, your licensure at the same time. Cover a whole cycle with Total Program Access, or pick a focus area from the specialty CME packages.

Frequently asked questions

Do PA CME requirements vary by state?

The NCCPA certification standard (100 credits every two years, 50 Category 1) is national. State licensure requirements vary — most states accept NCCPA certification, but some add their own hours or topics.

Does NCCPA certification satisfy my state’s CME requirement?

In most states, yes — boards accept current NCCPA certification as a proxy for licensure CME. Confirm with your state board, since a few states require more.

How many CME hours do PAs need?

For NCCPA certification, 100 credits every two years with at least 50 Category 1. Individual states may set different or additional hours for licensure.

Do states require specific CME topics?

Some do. Many states mandate CME on controlled-substance or opioid prescribing, and some require topics like pain management or human trafficking. Check your state board for current requirements.