Featured | Jul 5, 2025

Pennsylvania CME Requirements for Licensure

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.

Blog post image

Your Guide to Pennsylvania's CME Requirements for Licensure

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.

Understanding Pennsylvania's CME Requirements

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


Here's How Your CE Tracking Progress Looks on the CE App 

Your credential requirements

Pennsylvania MD

Due: 31 Dec, 2025

0%

progress

Track your progress on CE App for free!

Manage continuing education in the CE App and track your requirements today.

100 Credits Every 2 years
0 more credits needed
20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s), AAFP Prescribed Credit(s), Category 1 Credit(s) & Category 1 Every 2 years
0 more credits needed
12 Credits in Risk Management & Patient Safety Every 2 years
0 more credits needed
2 Credits in PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Every 2 years
0 more credits needed
2 Credits in Opioids and Pain Management Every 2 years
0 more credits needed

Profession: Medical Doctor and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

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

  • Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting: 2 credit hours every 2 years.
  • Opioids or Pain Management: 2 credit hours every 2 years.
  • Patient Safety or Risk Management:  12 credit hours every 2 years.

Original Source

General 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.”

Child Abuse Recognition CMDE Requirement

“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.”

Opioids or Pain Management CME Requirement

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.” 

Patient Safety or Risk Management

“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


Track Your Progress on CE App

Supercharge your Continuing Medical Education with our cutting-edge CE app! Stay ahead of the curve, effortlessly track your CME credits, and access high-quality courses tailored to your specialization.

Frequently
Asked
Questions

 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:

  • 2 hours in child abuse recognition and reporting
  • 2 hours in pain management, opioids, or addiction-related topics

12 hours in patient safety or risk management
Always consult the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine for accurate guidelines.
 

 Required topics include:

  • Child abuse recognition and reporting – 2 hours
  • Pain management and opioid prescribing – 2 hours

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:

  • Child abuse recognition and reporting – 2 hours
  • Opioid prescribing, pain management, or addiction – 2 hours

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:

  • 100 CME credits per two-year cycle
  • 20 hours in AOA Category 1-A credits
  • 2 hours in child abuse reporting
  • 2 hours in opioid prescribing or addiction education

12 hours in patient safety or risk management
Always consult the Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine for accurate and up-to-date guidance.
 

Ready for simplified continuing education?