A source-verified guide to California's CME requirements for PAs — hours, mandatory topics, audit rules, and exemptions.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 20, 2026
California has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 50-hour total.
These rules apply only when the trigger described under each card is met (for example, holding a state-issued controlled substance registration or treating a specific patient population). Each cites the underlying statute or rule directly.
PAs who hold an active license, are authorized through a California practice agreement to furnish Schedule II controlled substances, AND are registered with the DEA
“The course is at least six (6) hours in duration. A minimum of three (3) hours shall be exclusively dedicated to Schedule II controlled substances. [16 CCR § 1399.610(c)]”
PAs providing primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older
“A physician assistant who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall complete at least 20 percent of all mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of geriatric medicine, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients.”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, California Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.
| Credit system | Notes |
|---|---|
AAPA Category 1 PAs only | Source16 CCR § 1399.616[3] |
AMA PRA Category 1 | Source16 CCR § 1399.616[3] |
AOA Category 1-A | Source16 CCR § 1399.616[3] |
AAFP Prescribed | Source16 CCR § 1399.616[3] |
Board-approved credit | Covers state medical societies recognized by the ACCME. Only Category I (Preapproved) credit from these organizations qualifies — non-Category-I courses from the same provider do not count.Source16 CCR § 1399.616[3] |
The requirement is deemed satisfied if the physician assistant, at the time of renewal, is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.[4] PAs with current NCCPA certification are exempt from the 50-hour CE requirement entirely. If audited, verification of NCCPA certification must be submitted. NCCPA certification does not exempt a PA from the separate CSEC course when that course applies.
The Board may exempt a licensee from CE requirements for reasons of health, military service, or undue hardship.[3] Waiver application (CCR 1399.618) must be submitted 60 days prior to license expiration.
The Physician Assistant Board must waive renewal requirements for military personnel when they are called to active duty.[5] Active-duty call must be documented.
PAs granted inactive status are exempt from CE requirements and are in compliance for renewal. Inactive status prohibits practice.[3]
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your your birth month renewal.
Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.
“(b) The course includes a comprehensive written examination, proctored by the course provider at the conclusion of the course. The time required to complete the examination shall not count toward the minimum course duration requirement. (c) The course is at least six (6) hours in duration. A minimum of three (3) hours shall be exclusively dedicated to Schedule II controlled substances.”16 CCR § 1399.610(c)
“The course is at least six (6) hours in duration. A minimum of three (3) hours shall be exclusively dedicated to Schedule II controlled substances. [16 CCR § 1399.610(c)]”16 CCR § 1399.610(c)
“A physician assistant who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall complete at least 20 percent of all mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of geriatric medicine, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients.”BPC 3524.6 · Effective 2025-01-01
“Pursuant to California Code of Regulations (CCR), title 16, section 1399.615, a physician assistant who is renewing their license is required to complete a minimum of fifty (50) hours of approved continuing medical education (CME) during each two (2) year renewal period. … Physician assistants who are certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or other qualified certifying body as determined by the Board, at the time of renewal are compliant with the Board's CME requirements. … Effective January 1, 2025, physician assistants who provide primary care to a patient population of which over 25% are 65 years of age or older shall complete at least 20% of all mandatory continuing education hours by completing courses in the field of geriatric medicine, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients (Business and Professions Code section 3524.6).”PAB CME Page
“(a) A physician assistant who renews his or her license on or after January 1, 2011, is required to complete fifty (50) hours of approved continuing medical education during each two (2) year renewal period. (b) The requirements of subdivision (a) shall be deemed satisfied if the physician assistant, at the time of renewal, is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. … (e) A physician assistant shall retain for a period of four (4) years, records issued by an approved continuing medical education provider indicating the title of the course or program attended, the dates of attendance, and the hours assigned to the course or program.”16 CCR § 1399.615
“If your license was issued during your birth month, your initial license will be valid for a full twenty-four (24) month term. … A renewal reminder will be mailed to the address of record on file approximately four (4) months prior to the expiration date of your license. … A license that has expired may be renewed at any time within five years after its expiration by filing an application for renewal and paying all accrued and unpaid renewal fees. … Beginning January 1, 2013, the Physician Assistant Board must waive renewal requirements for military personnel when they are called to active duty.”PAB Renewal Info
“As of January 1, 2020, physician assistants must complete a one-time controlled substance education course in accordance with California Code of Regulations (CCR), title 16, sections 1399.610 and 1399.612. … This requirement applies to physician assistants who: Hold an active California license, Are authorized through a California practice agreement to furnish Schedule II controlled substances, and Are registered with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).”PAB CSEC Page
“(a) The board may require each licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal. The board may not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board may accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, or other qualified certifying body as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with, or in lieu of, continuing education requirements. (b) On and after January 1, 2022, a continuing education course shall contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias. … (d) A course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is exempt from the requirements of subdivision (b).”BPC 3524.5