Featured | Jul 5, 2025
Pennsylvania physicians must complete 100 CME credits every two years, including required hours in child abuse reporting, pain management, and patient safety to maintain medical licensure and ensure ongoing clinical competency.
As healthcare advances, Pennsylvania’s CME requirements serve as a cornerstone in upholding high standards in medical practice. In this dynamic field, where progress is constant, Continuing Medical Education (CME) ensures healthcare providers remain at the forefront of medical knowledge. This guide explores Pennsylvania's CME requirements for medical license renewal, offering healthcare practitioners a roadmap to meet their obligations and excel in a demanding, innovative environment.
Pennsylvania's CME requirements are designed to promote lifelong learning and ensure that healthcare professionals remain competent and proficient in their practice. Here's an overview of key components: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Medicine/Documents/Board%20Documents/MedM%20-%20CME%20MD%20Unrestricted%20License.pdf
Your credential requirements
Pennsylvania MD
Due: 31 Dec, 2026
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Profession: Medical Doctor (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
CME Credits Required: 100
Licensure Cycle: Every Two Years
Credit Type: 20 credit hours of AMA Category 1 CME (MDs) and AOA Category 1-A(DO)are required every 2 years.
Special CME Requirements
“In order to renew a license, completion of 100 credit hours of continuing medical education in the preceding biennial period, which runs from January 1 of the odd year through December 31 of the next even year.”
“Effective January 1, 2015, Per Act 31 of 2014, two (2) hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting requirements must be completed for renewal or reactivation of a license.”
“Effective January 1, 2017, Section 9.1(a)(2) of ABC-MAP* requires that all prescribers or dispensers, as defined in Section 3 of ABC-MAP, complete at least two hours of continuing education in pain management, the identification of addiction or in the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids as a portion of the total continuing education required.”
“At least 12 of the 100 hours must be completed in activities related to patient safety or risk management and may be completed in either Category 1 or 2. “
More information on Pennsylvania CME requirements for physicians on the state medical board
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Medical doctors in Pennsylvania must complete 100 CME credits every two years. Of these, at least 20 hours must be AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Additional hours must cover state-mandated topics such as child abuse reporting and opioids. Check with the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine for the latest details on requirements.
In Pennsylvania, medical doctors are required to complete 100 CME credits every two years, including:
12 hours in patient safety or risk management
Always consult the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine for accurate guidelines.
Required topics include:
Patient safety or risk management – 12 hours
These may be completed in Category 1 or 2 formats. Check with the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine for details on accepted course formats and credits.
CME credits must be renewed every two years, with the cycle running from January 1 of the odd year through December 31 of the next even year. Physicians must complete all 100 required hours within this period. Check with the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine for current cycle deadlines.
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania must also complete 100 CME credits every two years, with at least 20 hours in AOA Category 1-A credits. DOs must meet the same topic-specific mandates as MDs. Check with the Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine for the latest details on requirements.
Required CME topics for DOs include:
Patient safety or risk management – 12 hours
Remaining credits must include at least 20 hours in AOA Category 1-A. Check with the Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine for additional requirements.
CME credits for DOs must be renewed every two years, with the same biennial cycle as MDs. The required 100 credits, including all topic-specific hours, must be completed within the cycle. Check with the Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine for specific timelines and policy updates.
To maintain licensure, DOs must complete:
12 hours in patient safety or risk management
Always consult the Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine for accurate and up-to-date guidance.
