New Hampshire Board of Medicine · PA

NCCPA certification required (or 100 hours). Biennial opioid CE for DEA holders.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from NHBM~6 min read

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

Mandatory topics

New Hampshire has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 100-hour total.

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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[1]
3 hrs
Biennial

PAs holding DEA registration (NH Controlled Drug Prescription Health and Safety Program registrants)

View sourceVerbatim from source
“3 AMA Category 1 credit hours every 2 years for all DEA registrants (physicians and physician associates) in opioid prescribing for the management or treatment of pain, or for the treatment of opioid use disorder.”
N.H. Admin. Code Med 402.01 (via OPLC board medicine opioid prescribing)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, New Hampshire 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 onlymin 40 hrs
PAs not maintaining NCCPA must complete 100 hours every 2 years with at least 40 of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit (AAPA Category 1 is the standard PA pathway).SourceRSA 328-D:1, :10[2]
AMA PRA Category 1
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit from ACCME-accredited providers accepted.SourceRSA 328-D:1[2]
AOA Category 1-A
AOA Category 1-A credit accepted.SourceRSA 328-D:1[2]
AAFP Prescribed
AAFP Prescribed Credit accepted.SourceRSA 328-D:1[2]
Board-approved credit
PAs only
Current NCCPA certification is the operative compliance path for most NH PAs; the state does not impose additional CE hours beyond what NCCPA requires for certified PAs.SourceRSA 328-D:10[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 formal waivers or exemptions are published for New Hampshire.

FAQ
How many CE hours do New Hampshire PAs need?
Most New Hampshire PAs satisfy CE requirements by maintaining current NCCPA certification, which requires 100 CME credits per 2-year cycle with at least 50 in Category 1. PAs who choose not to maintain NCCPA certification must independently complete 100 hours every 2 years, with at least 40 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit and up to 60 hours of Category 2.[2] DEA-licensed PAs must also complete 3 hours every 2 years on opioid prescribing regardless of NCCPA status.
Are there mandatory CE topics for PAs in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire has one state-specific mandatory topic. PAs with DEA registration must complete 3 hours every 2 years on opioid prescribing for pain management or treatment of opioid use disorders. The opioid CE must be AMA PRA Category 1 or ACCME-accredited, and course abstracts must reference opioid prescribing in the title or learning objectives.
Where can I check my New Hampshire PA license renewal date?
New Hampshire PA licenses are managed by the Board of Medicine through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification at oplc.nh.gov. PA licenses expire December 31 of the renewal year, with renewal applications forwarded by October 31 of every other year.[3] The renewal fee is $65, with late renewal within 90 days costing $130. PAs can access applications and renewal information on the OPLC website.
What happens if I don't maintain NCCPA certification in New Hampshire?
PAs who choose not to maintain NCCPA certification can still hold a New Hampshire license by completing 100 hours of CE every 2 years. At least 40 hours must be AMA PRA Category 1 Credit, with the remaining 60 hours eligible as Category 2.[2] RSA 328-D:10 authorizes the Board to adopt rules for CE requirements for PAs who have received NCCPA certification but chosen not to maintain it. The opioid prescribing CE requirement applies regardless of NCCPA status for DEA-licensed PAs.

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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. https://www.oplc.nh.gov/board-medicine-opioid-prescribing
    Source
    Show verbatim text
    “3 AMA Category 1 credit hours every 2 years for all DEA registrants (physicians and physician associates) in opioid prescribing for the management or treatment of pain, or for the treatment of opioid use disorder.”N.H. Admin. Code Med 402.01 (via OPLC board medicine opioid prescribing)
  2. RSA 328-D -- Physician Assistants/Associates (Full Chapter)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
    Show verbatim text
    “'Approved continuing medical education activity' means a continuing education activity certified for American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Category 1 credit, American Medical Association (AMA) Category 1 PRA credit, American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Category 1-A credit, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Prescribed credit, or any other board-approved activity.”RSA 328-D
  3. N.H. Admin. Code Med 608.01 -- PA Renewal Application
    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 New Hampshire Board of Medicine, 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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