Physician Assistants · California · Continuing education
California Physician Assistant CME Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- PA50 hours of approved Category I CME every 2 years; renewal by the end of your birth month.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
California PA CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 50hours of approved Category I CME
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Category 1 minimum
- 50
- Accepted credit
- Category I (Preapproved) by AAPA, AMA, AOACCME, AAFP, ACCME or an ACCME-recognized state medical society
- Renewal fee
- $300
- New licensees
- Initial license runs 13-24 months to the birth month; CME is due for the period immediately preceding expiration.
- Audits & records
- Random audits (16 CCR 1399.617); respond within 65 days. Keep CME records 4 years; if NCCPA-certified, submit verification when audited.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Controlled substances prescribingPAs with an active license, practice-agreement authority to furnish Schedule II drugs and a DEA registration: one-time Board-standard course on Schedule II drugs and addiction risk (16 CCR 1399.610, 1399.612); send certificate to Board | — | once |
| Geriatrics / agingPAs in primary care whose patients are over 25% aged 65+: at least 20% of CME in geriatric medicine, dementia care or care of older patients (BPC 3524.6) | — | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. NCCPA certification (or another qualified certifying body determined by the Board) at the time of renewal satisfies the CME requirement.
Good to know. Since 2022 CME courses with a direct patient care component must include implicit bias content (BPC 3524.5). Renewal fee $300 plus CURES fee $30 (licenses expiring on/after Jul 1, 2025). No CME extensions; waivers for health, military or hardship.
Source: pab.ca.gov · California Code of Regulations, title 16, section 1399.615 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in California
05 Questions
Which CE courses count for physician assistants in California?
Category I (Preapproved) by AAPA, AMA, AOACCME, AAFP, ACCME or an ACCME-recognized state medical society.
How many CE hours do physician assistants need in California?
50 hours of approved Category I CME every 2 years, at least 50 of them Category 1.
How do I verify a physician assistant license in California?
Use the license lookup of the Physician Assistant Board of California (pab.ca.gov); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
How do physician assistants report CE in California?
By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.
When is the renewal deadline for physician assistants in California?
Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle).