Physician Assistants · Utah · Continuing education
Utah Physician Assistant CME Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- PA40 CME hours every 2 years, including 3.5 h substance use disorders (DEA MATE Act) (once), 3.5 h controlled substances prescribing; renewal by May 31 in even-numbered years.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
How many hours do I still need?
Calculated in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
03 Requirements
Utah PA CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40CME hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- May 31, even yrs
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By May 31 in even-numbered years
- Category 1 minimum
- 34
- Accepted credit
- Category 1 as established by ACCME (incl. AAPA-approved programs); other nationally recognized healthcare-accredited programs related to PA practice; up to 15% via volunteer service (4 h = 1 h CME)
- Audits & records
- Keep documentation for two years after the close of the licensure cycle.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Substance use disorders (DEA MATE Act)Controlled substance prescribers: one-time SBIRT class (licensing periods after Jan 1, 2024); counts as the 3.5 h prescribing CE for that period | 3.5 | once |
| Suicide preventionAll PAs: view the DOPL suicide prevention video each cycle (Utah Code 58-70a-304, 58-1-601) | — | every renewal |
| Controlled substances prescribingControlled substance prescribers with Schedule II/III opioid, hypnotic or stimulant authority; course with post-test | 3.5 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Documentation of current NCCPA certification fulfills the 34 Category 1 hours (and the psychiatry CAQ CME).
Good to know. PA licenses expire May 31 of even years (R156-1-308a). Mental health PAs also need CAQ psychiatry CME; medical cannabis recommenders extra CE. Unclear if NCCPA also covers the 6 non-Category-1 hours. DOPL site blocked by Cloudflare.
Source: adminrules.utah.gov · Utah Admin. Code R156-70a-304; Utah Code 58-70a-304; Utah Code 58-37-303 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Utah
05 Questions
Which CE courses count for physician assistants in Utah?
Category 1 as established by ACCME (incl. AAPA-approved programs); other nationally recognized healthcare-accredited programs related to PA practice; up to 15% via volunteer service (4 h = 1 h CME).
How many CE hours do physician assistants need in Utah?
40 CME hours every 2 years, at least 34 of them Category 1.
How do I verify a physician assistant license in Utah?
Use the license lookup of the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) - Physician Assistant Licensing Board (commerce.utah.gov/dopl); 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 Utah?
By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.
When is the renewal deadline for physician assistants in Utah?
Licenses renew by May 31 in even-numbered years (2 years cycle).