Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure · PA

100 hours. Every 2 years. Renewal deadline is March 31.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from KBML~6 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 17, 2026

Mandatory topics

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

Abuse Reporting[1]
1.5 hrs
One-time
One-time requirement covering prevention and recognition of pediatric abusive head trauma as defined in KRS 620.020 per KRS 311.844(3)(d) and 201 KAR 9:360. Must be completed within the first two years of licensure or before first renewal. Universal mandate — applies to all PAs. Graduating PA curriculum may substitute with board approval. Counts within the 100-hour total.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“If you have not previously submitted a course completion certificate to the Board for Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma, you must do so in order to renew your license. Physicians must submit a completion certificate for a one-time, 1.5-hour training course covering prevention and recognition of pediatric abusive head trauma per KRS 311.844(3)(d).”
KRS 311.844(3)(d)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Alzheimer’s & dementia[1]
1 hr
One-time
One-time requirement covering warning signs, early detection, communication techniques, billing codes, cognitive assessment tools, and current treatments for Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Added by 2024 Ky. Acts Chapters 30 and 218 (HB 459), effective July 15, 2024. Universal mandate. Must be completed within the first two years of licensure or before first renewal. Waived if equivalent content was covered in PA training curriculum with board approval. Counts within the 100-hour total.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Complete a one-time, one-hour continuing education course covering warning signs, early detection, communication techniques, billing codes, cognitive assessment tools, and current treatments.”
KBML PA Renewal pageSee 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]
7.5 hrs
Biennial

PAs authorized to prescribe or administer controlled substances in Kentucky

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Those authorized to prescribe controlled substances must complete a minimum of seven and one-half (7.5) hours of board-approved continuing education relating to pain management, addiction disorders, KASPER use, or controlled substance diversion.”
201 KAR 9:360See source [2] in Primary Sources
ConditionalOpioid / controlled substances[2]
12 hrs
Biennial

PAs authorized to prescribe Buprenorphine-Mono-Product or Buprenorphine-Combined-with-Naloxone

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Prescribers of buprenorphine products must complete a minimum of twelve (12) hours of board-approved continuing education relating to addiction medicine.”
201 KAR 9:360See source [2] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Kentucky 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
All 100 hours per biennial cycle must be from approved Category 1 sources.Source201 KAR 9:360[2]
AOA Category 1-A
AOA Category 1 credit is accepted equivalently to AMA PRA Category 1. KBML licenses MD, DO, and PA under a single board.Source201 KAR 9:360[2]
AAFP Prescribed
AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted as Category 1 equivalent.Source201 KAR 9:360[2]
AAPA Category 1
PAs only
AAPA Category 1 CME credit is accepted toward the 100-hour biennial total.Source201 KAR 9:360[2]
Board-approved credit
PAs only
Current NCCPA certification is accepted as proof of compliance in lieu of documenting individual CE credits. Confirmed by both the regulation and the KBML renewal page.Source201 KAR 9:360[2]
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

No waivers of CE requirements are permitted.[2]

Extension of up to 6 months for documented illness, FMLA-qualifying events, financial hardship, or practice circumstances that prohibit completion. License is immediately suspended if requirements are not met within the extension period.[2]

FAQ
How many CE hours do Kentucky PAs need?
Kentucky PAs must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years, from sources approved by AMA, AOA, AAFP, AAPA, or the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.[2] Within that total, PAs who prescribe Schedule III through V controlled substances must complete 7.5 hours on controlled substance diversion, pain management, addiction disorders, or KASPER use. PAs who prescribe buprenorphine products must complete an additional 12 hours in addiction medicine.
Are there mandatory CE topics for PAs in Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky has several mandatory CE topics. PAs with controlled substance prescriptive authority must complete 7.5 hours biennially on topics including controlled substance diversion, pain management, addiction disorders, and KASPER use.[2] PAs authorized to prescribe buprenorphine need 12 hours in addiction medicine per biennial cycle. Two one-time requirements apply to new licensees: 1.5 hours on pediatric abusive head trauma and 1 hour on Alzheimer's disease and dementia, both due within the first two years of licensure.[1] The previously required HIV/AIDS training was removed in 2024.
Where can I check my Kentucky PA license renewal date?
Kentucky PA licenses renew biennially with a March 31 deadline.[1] You can check your license status through the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure website at kbml.ky.gov. Late renewal is accepted from April 1 through April 30 with a $200 fee (up from the standard $150). After May 1, the license becomes inactive. The board sends electronic renewal notifications around February 1 of the renewal year.
What happens if I don't complete my Kentucky PA CE on time?
Kentucky is notably strict about CE non-compliance. If you fail to meet your CE requirements by the renewal deadline, the board's inquiry panel can issue an emergency order suspending your license or restricting your prescriptive authority.[2] You may request an extension of up to 6 months for documented illness, FMLA-qualifying events, financial hardship, or practice circumstances, but your license is immediately suspended if requirements remain unmet after the extension period. No waivers of CE requirements are permitted.

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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. Physician Assistant Renewal -- Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-16
    Show verbatim text
    “If you have not previously submitted a course completion certificate to the Board for Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma, you must do so in order to renew your license. Physicians must submit a completion certificate for a one-time, 1.5-hour training course covering prevention and recognition of pediatric abusive head trauma per KRS 311.844(3)(d).”KRS 311.844(3)(d)
    “Complete a one-time, one-hour continuing education course covering warning signs, early detection, communication techniques, billing codes, cognitive assessment tools, and current treatments.”KBML PA Renewal page
  2. 201 KAR 9:360 -- Continuing Education Requirements for Physician Assistants
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-16
    Show verbatim text
    “A licensee shall complete a minimum of 100 hours of continuing education approved by the following: American Academy of Physician Assistants, American Medical Association … Those authorized to prescribe controlled substances must complete a minimum of seven and one-half (7.5) hours of board-approved continuing education relating to pain management, addiction disorders, KASPER use, or controlled substance diversion. … Prescribers of buprenorphine products must complete a minimum of twelve (12) hours of board-approved continuing education relating to addiction medicine. … A waiver of the requirements established by this administrative regulation shall not be granted.”201 KAR 9:360
    “Those authorized to prescribe controlled substances must complete a minimum of seven and one-half (7.5) hours of board-approved continuing education relating to pain management, addiction disorders, KASPER use, or controlled substance diversion.”201 KAR 9:360
    “Prescribers of buprenorphine products must complete a minimum of twelve (12) hours of board-approved continuing education relating to addiction medicine.”201 KAR 9:360

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 Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, 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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