Physicians · Pennsylvania · Continuing education
Pennsylvania CME Requirements for Physicians (2026)
01 In short
- MD100 credit hours every 2 years, including 2 h opioid prescribing & pain management, 2 h child abuse recognition & reporting, 12 h prevention of medical errors & patient safety, 2 h organ & tissue donation (once); renewal by December 31 in even-numbered years.
- DO100 credit hours every 2 years, including 2 h opioid prescribing & pain management, 2 h child abuse recognition & reporting, 12 h prevention of medical errors & patient safety, 2 h organ & tissue donation (once); renewal by October 31 in even-numbered years.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
Pennsylvania MD CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 100credit hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Dec 31, even yrs
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By December 31 in even-numbered years
- Category 1 minimum
- 20
- Accepted credit
- AMA PRA Category 1 (at least 20) and AMA PRA Category 2; no credit for office management or practice building
- Renewal fee
- $360
- Carryover
- Not stated; all dates must fall within the two-year renewal cycle.
- New licensees
- Exempt from CME for the biennial renewal period in which initial licensure is acquired.
- Audits & records
- Verify completion on the renewal application; random audits. Keep documentation 2 years after renewal. Child abuse course completion is sent electronically by the provider.
- Renew online
- www.pa.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementMDs holding or using a DEA registration: pain management, identification of addiction or opioid prescribing/dispensing | 2 | every renewal |
| Child abuse recognition & reportingAll MDs (Act 31 of 2014); Board-approved provider | 2 | every renewal |
| Prevention of medical errors & patient safetyAll MDs: patient safety and risk management (Category 1 or 2); child abuse and opioid hours do not count toward these 12 | 12 | every renewal |
| Organ & tissue donationAll MDs, effective May 1, 2026: one time within 5 years of initial licensure (or of renewal/reactivation for those licensed earlier); Board-approved curriculum | 2 | once |
Good to know. Biennial period runs Jan 1 of the odd year to Dec 31 of the next even year. DOs are licensed by the separate State Board of Osteopathic Medicine.
Source: www.pa.gov · 49 Pa. Code § 16.19 · checked Oct 28, 2026
Pennsylvania DO CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 100credit hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Oct 31, even yrs
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By October 31 in even-numbered years
- Category 1 minimum
- 20
- Accepted credit
- AOA Category 1-A (at least 20); remaining hours AOA Category 1 or Category 2; no credit for office management or practice building
- Renewal fee
- $450
- New licensees
- Exempt from CME for the biennial renewal period following initial licensure.
- Audits & records
- Verify completion on the renewal application; random audits. Keep documentation 2 years after renewal.
- Renew online
- www.pa.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementDOs holding or using a DEA registration: pain management, identification of addiction or opioid prescribing/dispensing | 2 | every renewal |
| Child abuse recognition & reportingAll DOs; approved training | 2 | every renewal |
| Prevention of medical errors & patient safetyAll DOs: patient safety and risk management (Category 1 or 2) | 12 | every renewal |
| Organ & tissue donationAll DOs, effective May 1, 2026: one time within 5 years of initial licensure (or of renewal/reactivation for those licensed earlier) | 2 | once |
Good to know. Licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine (separate board). Renewal by October 31 of every even-numbered year.
Source: www.pacodeandbulletin.gov · 49 Pa. Code § 25.271 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Pennsylvania
05 Questions
Which CE courses count for physicians in Pennsylvania?
MD: AMA PRA Category 1 (at least 20) and AMA PRA Category 2; no credit for office management or practice building. DO: AOA Category 1-A (at least 20); remaining hours AOA Category 1 or Category 2; no credit for office management or practice building.
How do I verify a physician license in Pennsylvania?
Use the license lookup of the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine (pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/medicine); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
How many CE hours do physicians need in Pennsylvania?
MD: 100 credit hours every 2 years, at least 20 of them Category 1. DO: 100 credit hours every 2 years, at least 20 of them Category 1.
Which CE topics are mandatory for physicians in Pennsylvania?
MD: Opioid prescribing & pain management — 2 h (every renewal); Child abuse recognition & reporting — 2 h (every renewal); Prevention of medical errors & patient safety — 12 h (every renewal); Organ & tissue donation — 2 h (once). DO: Opioid prescribing & pain management — 2 h (every renewal); Child abuse recognition & reporting — 2 h (every renewal); Prevention of medical errors & patient safety — 12 h (every renewal); Organ & tissue donation — 2 h (once).
How much does a physician license renewal cost in Pennsylvania?
MD: $360 per renewal, as listed by the board. DO: $450 per renewal, as listed by the board.
How do physicians report CE in Pennsylvania?
MD: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit. DO: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.
When is the renewal deadline for physicians in Pennsylvania?
MD: Licenses renew by December 31 in even-numbered years (2 years cycle). DO: Licenses renew by October 31 in even-numbered years (2 years cycle).