How many Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours must PAs complete every two years?

Physician Assistants (PAs) are required to complete 100 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) every two years to maintain their certification. This requirement underscores the importance of ongoing education in the medical field, ensuring that PAs stay current with the latest advancements, practices, and guidelines that affect patient care. A commitment to lifelong learning equips PAs with the knowledge needed to adapt to evolving healthcare environments, which can include new medical technologies, treatment protocols, and regulatory changes.

This CME requirement is designed to ensure that PAs can deliver high-quality health care and continue to develop their professional skills throughout their careers. PAs must also complete a minimum of 50 of those hours in category 1 CME, which includes formal educational activities that meet specific criteria set by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Overall, the focus on a structured number of CME hours plays a critical role in professional development and the quality of medical services provided by PAs.