Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline · PA

100 hours (or NCCPA certification). Every two years. All licenses expire March 31.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from DBMLD~6 min read

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

Mandatory topics

For PAs, 100 hours is the total CME requirement. Delaware also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 100-hour total.

Abuse Reporting[1]
1 hr
Biennial
All Board-licensed professionals (including PAs) must complete at least 1 hour of training on recognition of child sexual/physical abuse, exploitation, and domestic violence, plus reporting obligations under the Medical Practice Act and Delaware Code §903. Effective January 1, 2025 the Board accepts either a 1-hour 'Mandatory Reporting for Medical Professionals' course OR a 30-minute refresher + 30-minute advanced supplemental course (Abusive Head Trauma, Pediatric Drug Exposures, Medical Neglect, or Sentinel Injuries).
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Recognition of child sexual/physical abuse, exploitation, and domestic violence; Reporting obligations under the Medical Practice Act and Delaware Code §903”
DPR Mandatory Training (eff. 2025-01-01)See source [1] in Primary Sources
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Conditional requirements

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.

ConditionalOpioid / controlled substances[2]
2 hrs
Biennial

Practitioners holding a Delaware Controlled Substance Registration under Title 16 Ch. 47

View sourceVerbatim from source
“All practitioners must attest to completion of two hours of continuing education biennially in the areas of controlled substance prescribing practices, treatment of chronic pain, or other topics related to the prescribing of controlled substances.”
CSAC Regs § 3.1.3See source [2] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Delaware 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
AMA PRA Category 1
min 50 hrs
At least 50 of the 100 hours must be Category 1 per 24 Del. Admin. Code § 1700-13.2.2. Waived entirely for PAs with current NCCPA certification.Source24 Del. Admin. Code § 1700-13.2.2[3]
AOA Category 1-A
AOA Category 1-A / Category 1 credit accepted as AMA-equivalent Category 1 per the DPR CE framework.Source24 Del. Admin. Code § 1700-13.2.2[3]
NCCPA Category 2 credits
PAs onlymax 50 hrs
Up to 50 of the 100 hours may be Category 2 (non-Category-1 credit). AAPA Category 1, AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME, and similar credit types fall within this bucket for Delaware PAs who are not using the NCCPA pathway.Source24 Del. Admin. Code § 1700-13.2.2[3]
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

First-time renewals have reduced requirements based on licensing duration. Prior KB research interpretation: PAs licensed less than 12 months before first renewal are not required to meet any CME for that first period.

Prior KB research interpretation: PAs licensed 12–24 months before first renewal must complete 50 hours for that first cycle (half the full 100). The precise proration rule is not explicit in DPR CE page text.

Per 24 Del. Admin. Code § 1700-13.2.2, PAs who submit proof of holding current NCCPA certification shall be deemed to have met the 100-hour CME requirement. The 1-hour mandatory abuse recognition training still applies regardless of pathway.

Only active Physician Assistants, Genetic Counselors, Polysomnographers, and Midwives can request inactive license status. Inactive PAs may maintain that status for up to 3 years and are exempt from CE while inactive. Inactive status prohibits practice.

FAQ
How many CE hours do Delaware PAs need?
Delaware PAs must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years, with at least 50 hours in AMA PRA Category 1 Credit or AOA equivalent. However, PAs who hold current NCCPA certification are deemed to have met the 100-hour requirement entirely, which significantly simplifies compliance for the majority of Delaware PAs. Regardless of which pathway is used, all PAs must also complete a 1-hour mandatory abuse recognition training each cycle.[1]
Are there mandatory CE topics for PAs in Delaware?
Yes. All Delaware PAs must complete 1 hour of abuse recognition training per renewal cycle, covering recognition of child sexual and physical abuse, exploitation, domestic violence, and Delaware-specific reporting obligations.[1] The training can be satisfied through a 30-minute refresher course plus a 30-minute advanced supplemental course on topics such as Abusive Head Trauma, Pediatric Drug Exposures, Medical Neglect, or Sentinel Injuries.
Where can I check my Delaware PA license renewal date?
All Delaware PA licenses expire on March 31 of odd-numbered years, so every PA in the state shares the same renewal deadline.[4] You can verify your license status through the DELPROS license lookup at delpros.delaware.gov. The CE accumulation period runs from April 1 of the preceding even year through March 31 of the odd year. The Division of Professional Regulation sends renewal notices, but the responsibility for tracking the deadline rests with the licensee.
Does Delaware require PAs to maintain NCCPA certification?
Not strictly. Delaware requires NCCPA certification (specifically, passing the PANCE) for initial PA licensure. However, for biennial renewal, maintaining NCCPA certification is one pathway to satisfy the CE requirement rather than an absolute condition. PAs who let their NCCPA certification lapse can still renew by independently completing 100 hours of CME (50 Category 1 and 50 Category 2) per cycle. That said, most Delaware PAs maintain NCCPA certification because it eliminates the need to track individual CE hours for state compliance.
What happens if a Delaware PA is audited?
Delaware audits a random sample of renewals each cycle.[3] PAs should not submit CE documentation at renewal unless specifically requested. If selected for audit, the PA must provide either a current NCCPA CME record (if using the NCCPA certification pathway) or certificates of attendance for each claimed CE activity. Documentation must be submitted within 30 days of the audit notice. PAs should retain all CE records for the full biennial period.

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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. Mandatory Training — Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
    Show verbatim text
    “Recognition of child sexual/physical abuse, exploitation, and domestic violence; Reporting obligations under the Medical Practice Act and Delaware Code §903”DPR Mandatory Training (eff. 2025-01-01)
  2. https://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title24/
    Source
    Show verbatim text
    “All practitioners must attest to completion of two hours of continuing education biennially in the areas of controlled substance prescribing practices, treatment of chronic pain, or other topics related to the prescribing of controlled substances.”CSAC Regs § 3.1.3
  3. Continuing Education and Audit Information — Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
  4. License Renewal — Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
  5. Physician Assistant Licensure — Delaware Division of Professional Regulation
    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 Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, 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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