New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners · PA

50 hours. Every two years. All must be Category 1.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from NJSBME~6 min read

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

Mandatory topics

For PAs, 50 hours is the total CME requirement. New Jersey also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 50-hour total.

Opioid / controlled substances[1]
1 hr
Biennial
One hour on prescription opioid drugs — responsible prescribing, alternatives to opioids, and risks and signs of abuse, addiction, and diversion. Universal mandate. Counts within the 50-hour Category 1 total and must be earned fresh each cycle.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Beginning September 1, 2017, one of the required 50 credits must address prescription opioid drugs, including responsible prescribing practices, alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion.”
N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8(b)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your New Jersey cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
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.

ConditionalCultural competency[1]
1 hr
Biennial

PAs providing perinatal care

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Effective the first renewal after May 5, 2026, licensees providing perinatal care must complete one credit on evidence-based explicit and implicit bias training meeting subsection (d) requirements.”
N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8(c)-(d)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, New Jersey 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
All 50 hours must be Category 1 credit. AAPA Category 1 is the standard PA pathway. Unlike NJ physicians, PAs have no Category 2 allowance.SourceN.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8(a)[1]
AMA PRA Category 1
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit from ACCME-accredited providers satisfies the Category 1 requirement.SourceN.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8(a)[1]
AOA Category 1-A
AOA Category 1 Credit accepted.SourceN.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8(a)[1]
AAFP Prescribed
AAFP Prescribed Credit accepted.SourceN.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8(a)[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 initially licensed during the first year of the biennial period (February 1 to January 31 of the first year) are fully exempt from CE requirements for that initial period.

PAs initially licensed during the second year of the biennial period need only 15 Category 1 credits for that initial period.

Waiver of the continuing education requirement is available under qualifying circumstances such as hardship or military service.[3]

FAQ
How many CE hours do New Jersey PAs need?
New Jersey PAs must complete 50 hours of Category 1 continuing education every two years.[1] All 50 hours must be Category 1 credit from approved providers, with no Category 2 allowance. This is a state licensure requirement separate from NCCPA certification maintenance. One of the 50 hours must address prescription opioid drugs. Up to 15 credits may carry over from the prior cycle if earned in the last 6 months.
Are there mandatory CE topics for PAs in New Jersey?
Yes. Beginning September 1, 2017, New Jersey requires all PAs to complete 1 hour of CE on prescription opioid drugs within each biennial renewal cycle.[1] The training must cover responsible prescribing practices, pain management alternatives to opioids, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion. This hour counts within the 50-hour Category 1 total. Additionally, PAs providing perinatal care must complete 1 hour on implicit and explicit bias in perinatal treatment starting with the first renewal after May 5, 2026.[1]
Where can I check my New Jersey PA license renewal date?
You can verify your license status and expiration date through the New Jersey license verification portal at newjersey.mylicense.com. PA licenses renew biennially based on the individual expiration date. The Division of Consumer Affairs sends renewal notices, but the responsibility for timely renewal rests with the licensee.[2] PAs who miss the deadline have a 30-day grace period with a late fee before automatic suspension.
Do New Jersey physician CE mandates apply to PAs?
No, several physician-specific CE mandates in New Jersey do not apply to PAs. The 6-hour one-time cultural competency requirement under N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.25 applies only to physicians and podiatrists. The 2-hour end-of-life care requirement and the 2-hour sexual misconduct prevention requirement effective July 2025 are also physician-only. PAs should not confuse physician CE obligations with their own 50-hour Category 1 requirement.

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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. N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8 — Credit-Hour Requirements (Physician Assistants)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-17
    Show verbatim text
    “Each applicant for a biennial license renewal shall be required to complete, during the preceding biennial period, a minimum of 50 continuing education credit hours in category I courses approved by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Osteopathic Association or the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education.”N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8(a) · Effective 2025-05-05
    “Beginning September 1, 2017, one of the required 50 credits must address prescription opioid drugs, including responsible prescribing practices, alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion.”N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8(b) · Effective 2017-09-01
    “Effective the first renewal after May 5, 2026, licensees providing perinatal care must complete one credit on evidence-based explicit and implicit bias training meeting subsection (d) requirements.”N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.8(c)-(d) · Effective 2026-05-05
  2. Physician Assistant FAQ — NJ Division of Consumer Affairs
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-16
  3. N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.9 — Waiver of Continuing Education Requirement (Physician Assistants)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-17
    Show verbatim text
    “The Board may temporarily waive continuing education requirements on an individual basis for a period of time designated by the Committee for reasons of hardship, such as illness or disability, or other good cause.”N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.9

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 Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners, 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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