Colorado Medical Board (DORA Division of Professions and Occupations) · PA

2 hours. Every two years. Tied to a fixed statewide renewal date.

A source-verified guide to Colorado's CME requirements for PAs — hours, mandatory topics, audit rules, and exemptions.

Updated April 2026Sourced from CMB(DPO~5 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 21, 2026

Mandatory topics

For PAs, 2 hours is the total CME requirement. Colorado also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 2-hour total.

Opioid / controlled substances[1]
2 hrs
Biennial
Every PA must complete at least 2 cumulative hours of substance use prevention training per renewal period under 3 CCR 713-1.29(C) (CRS 12-30-114). This is the only state-mandated CE for routine biennial PA renewal in Colorado — there is no additional state-imposed CE hour total. Training is broadly defined: it includes formal CME courses, self-study of relevant scholarly articles or guidelines, peer review involving opioid prescribing, volunteer service, conference attendance, teaching, or participation in a relevant presentation (Rule 1.29(D)). Exemption available under CRS 12-30-114(1)(b) for PAs who do not prescribe controlled substances or who maintain equivalent national board training.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Every physician and physician assistant is required to complete at least two cumulative hours of training per renewal period in order to demonstrate competency regarding the topics/areas specified in section 12-30-114(1)(a), C.R.S.”
3 CCR 713-1.29(C)See source [1] in Primary Sources
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Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Colorado 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 systemNotes
Substance use disorder prevention training
For the 2-hour state-mandated substance use prevention training (Rule 1.29), Colorado accepts a broad range of training activities — not limited to accredited CME. Accepted activities include: formal CME courses, self-study of relevant scholarly articles or clinical guidelines, peer review proceedings involving opioid prescribing, relevant volunteer service, attendance at a relevant conference or conference session, teaching a relevant course, or participation in a relevant clinical presentation. There is no state-mandated CE total beyond these 2 hours; the NCCPA's 100-hour biennial standard is a separate professional certification requirement not enforced by Colorado at routine license renewal.Source3 CCR 713-1.29(D)[1]
AAPA Category 1
PAs only
AAPA Category 1 CME credit satisfies the Rule 1.29 SUD training requirement when the course covers the required topic areas. Note: the NCCPA requires 100 hours per 2-year cycle (at least 50 Category 1) to maintain the PA-C designation, but the Colorado Medical Board does not enforce this standard as a condition of routine license renewal.Source3 CCR 713-1.29(D)[1]
AMA PRA Category 1
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit from ACCME-accredited providers satisfies the Rule 1.29 SUD training requirement when content covers required topic areas. Not a state-mandated credit type for routine PA renewal beyond the SUD training context.Source3 CCR 713-1.29(D)[1]
Documentation & audit

Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.

Waivers & exemptions

PAs who attest that they do not prescribe opioids or controlled substances are exempt from the 2-hour Rule 1.29 substance use prevention training requirement.

PAs who maintain a national board certification that requires equivalent substance use prevention training may qualify for exemption.

FAQ
How many CE hours do Colorado PAs need for state license renewal?
Colorado's only state-mandated CE requirement for routine biennial PA renewal is 2 hours of substance use prevention training per renewal period under Rule 1.29.[1] There is no additional state-imposed CE hour total. Many PAs also maintain NCCPA PA-C certification, which requires 100 CME hours every 2 years — but that is an NCCPA standard, not a Colorado Board requirement. A PA who has never let their license lapse can renew without proof of current national certification.
Are there mandatory CE topics for PAs in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado requires PAs to complete 2 hours of substance use prevention training each biennial renewal cycle under Rule 1.29.[1] Training is broadly defined: it includes formal CME courses, self-study of relevant scholarly articles or clinical guidelines, peer review proceedings involving opioid prescribing, volunteer service, conference attendance, teaching, or participation in a relevant clinical presentation. PAs who certify that they do not prescribe controlled substances may claim an exemption.
Where can I check my Colorado PA license renewal date?
All Colorado PA licenses expire on January 31 of even-numbered years, so every PA in the state shares the same renewal deadline. You can verify your license status through the Colorado DORA license lookup at apps.colorado.gov. DORA sends renewal notices to the address on file, but the responsibility for tracking the deadline rests with the licensee.
Does HB 24-1153 affect Colorado PAs?
No. House Bill 24-1153, signed into law on August 6, 2024, reinstated a 30-hour biennial CME requirement for Colorado physicians.[2] The bill's statutory text and title reference physicians specifically, creating CRS 12-240-130.5, and the implementing rule (3 CCR 713-1.33) applies to physicians only. PAs are not covered by this legislation or rule.
Does Colorado require PAs to maintain NCCPA PA-C certification for renewal?
No — not for routine biennial renewal. NCCPA certification (passing the PANCE) is required for initial Colorado PA licensure under CRS 12-240-113, and proof of current NCCPA PA-C status is required for reinstatement of an expired license or reactivation under 3 CCR 713-1.9. But a PA who renews on time every two years is not required to demonstrate active national certification. The Colorado Medical Board's routine renewal statute (CRS 12-240-130) focuses on fees and the renewal questionnaire, not CE hour documentation. Employers may separately require PA-C status regardless of what the state mandates.

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Sources & Citations

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.

  1. 3 CCR 713-1.29 — Substance Use Prevention Training for License Renewal, Reactivation, or Reinstatement
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
    Show verbatim text
    “Every physician and physician assistant is required to complete at least two cumulative hours of training per renewal period in order to demonstrate competency regarding the topics/areas specified in section 12-30-114(1)(a), C.R.S.”3 CCR 713-1.29(C) · Effective 2023-07-15
  2. HB 24-1153 — Physician Continuing Education (physician-only)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CME requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Colorado Medical Board (DORA Division of Professions and Occupations), or any other state medical board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Physicians are solely responsible for verifying their own current CME requirements directly with their state's medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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