Hawaii Medical Board · PA

40 hours. Every two years. January 31 of even-numbered years.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from HMB~5 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 20, 2026

Mandatory topics

Hawaii has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 40-hour total.

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Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Hawaii 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
AAPA Category 1
PAs only
AAPA Category 1 CME is one of the three credit types expressly accepted for Hawaii PA renewal per the Hawaii Medical Board's 2023 PA CME Audit Memorandum and Board Notice IA-AMD-CME-2019-1 implementing Act 181 (SLH 2019).Source2023 PA CME Audit Memo[1]
AMA PRA Category 1
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit from ACCME-accredited providers is expressly accepted for Hawaii PA renewal.Source2023 PA CME Audit Memo[1]
AOA Category 1-A
AOA Category 1A CME is expressly accepted for Hawaii PA renewal. The 2023 audit memo's enumerated list of acceptable activities does not include Category 2 credits, and the 2015 amendment to HAR § 16-85-33 (Filing No. 2015-01) deleted the former category 2 allowance.Source2023 PA CME Audit Memo[1]
Documentation & audit

Documentation at audit must include the CME provider's letter, transcript, or certificate designating the credit as Category 1 or 1A and providing the PA's name, dates, title, and number of hours.[1] PAs are responsible for retaining their own CME records.

Waivers & exemptions

Hawaii has general provisions under HRS Chapter 436B for military members and spouses regarding professional licensing accommodations, which may include extensions or waivers of CE requirements.

PAs may place their license on inactive status and are not required to meet CE requirements while inactive.[2] CE must be completed upon reactivation.

The Board may grant extensions or waivers on a case-by-case basis for documented hardship, illness, or disability.

FAQ
How many CE hours do Hawaii PAs need?
Hawaii PAs must complete 40 hours of Category 1 continuing medical education every two years.[2][1] All PA licenses expire on January 31 of even-numbered years, and the CE period covers the two-year biennium preceding renewal.[3] Accepted credit types are AMA PRA Category 1, AOA Category 1A, and AAPA Category 1. Act 181 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2019) replaced the prior NCCPA-only renewal standard with this 40-hour CME requirement effective with the February 1, 2020 renewal cycle.[2] NCCPA certification does not satisfy the Hawaii renewal CME obligation — see the 'Does NCCPA certification satisfy Hawaii's PA CE requirement?' FAQ below.
Are there mandatory CE topics for PAs in Hawaii?
No. Hawaii does not impose any state-specific mandatory CE topics for PAs.[1] There are no state-mandated hours in opioid prescribing, pain management, pharmacology, cultural competency, ethics, or domestic violence for PA license renewal. The CE requirement is that all hours must be relevant to the PA's area of practice, but the state leaves the specific topic selection to the practitioner.
Where can I check my Hawaii PA license renewal date?
Hawaii PA license renewal information is available through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. The Hawaii Medical Board can be reached through cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/medical/.[4] All PA licenses in Hawaii expire on January 31 of even-numbered years, so the renewal date is the same for all PAs regardless of when they were initially licensed.[3]
Does NCCPA certification satisfy Hawaii's PA CE requirement?
No. NCCPA certification does not satisfy Hawaii's PA CME requirement. The Hawaii Medical Board's 2023 CME Audit Memorandum explicitly states that the CME requirement 'MAY NOT BE MET BY: Submitting current certification with the NCCPA.'[1] Act 181 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2019) replaced the prior NCCPA-only renewal standard with a 40-hour CME requirement effective with the February 1, 2020 renewal cycle.[2] PAs must document 40 hours of AMA Category 1, AOA Category 1A, or AAPA Category 1 CME from the preceding biennium. The Hawaii Medical Board's general PA renewal web page still displays outdated language about NCCPA certification — that text predates Act 181 and has been superseded.

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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. Hawaii Medical Board — 2023 PA CME Audit Memorandum (2024 Renewal Cycle)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-20
    Show verbatim text
    “Hawaii Revised Statutes section 453-5.3 requires, among other things, that a physician assistant submit CME to renew their license. … Obtaining 40 hours of CME in the following activities between February 1, 2022 and January 31, 2024: Category 1 CME accredited by the American Medical Association (AMA); Category 1A CME accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); or Category 1 CME accredited by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). … THE CME REQUIREMENT MAY NOT BE MET BY; Submitting current certification with the NCCPA; Certification with a specialty board; Passing a specialty board certification exam; Membership in a medical organization (such as a medical society or association): Teaching.”2023 PA CME Audit Memo
  2. Hawaii Medical Board — PA CME Audit Notice IA-AMD-CME-2019-1 (Act 181 Implementation)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
    Show verbatim text
    “Beginning with the renewal commencing 2/1/2020, each licensee shall comply with the CME requirements by obtaining forty (40) hours in: (1) category 1 CME accredited by the American Medical Association; (2) category 1A CME accredited by the American Osteopathic Association; or (3) category 1 CME accredited by the American Academy of Physician Assistants. … Licensees on inactive status are not subject to the CME requirement.”Board Notice IA-AMD-CME-2019-1
  3. HAR § 16-85-3 — Renewal of Licenses (Hawaii Medical Board)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
    Show verbatim text
    “All licenses and certificates shall expire on January 31 of the even-numbered year. … Renewal fees paid by mail shall be considered as paid when due if the envelope bears the postmark of January 31 of the even-numbered year or earlier.”HAR § 16-85-3
  4. Board of Medical Examiners (Medical Board) — Hawaii DCCA PVL
    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 Hawaii Medical Board, 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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