New Mexico Medical Board · PA

100 hours via NCCPA. Every two years. Expires March 1.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from NMMB~5 min read

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated May 12, 2026

These figures are compiled from official board materials — confirm current requirements with the New Mexico Medical Board

Mandatory topics

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

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your New Mexico 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.

ConditionalOpioid/Substance Use[1]
3 hrs
Biennial

PAs holding both a federal DEA registration and a New Mexico controlled substances registration

View sourceVerbatim from source
“all New Mexico medical board physician assistant licensees who hold a federal drug enforcement administration registration and a New Mexico controlled substances registration, shall be required to complete and submit three continuing medical education hours.”
16.10.14.11(C) NMAC; NCCPA renewal under 16.10.15.16 NMACSee source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, New Mexico 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 50 hrs
NCCPA certification maintenance requires 100 hours per 2-year cycle with at least 50 in Category 1. AAPA Category 1 is the standard PA pathway.Source16.10.15.18 NMAC[2]
AMA PRA Category 1
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit from ACCME-accredited providers satisfies NCCPA Category 1 requirement.Source16.10.15.18 NMAC[2]
AOA Category 1-A
AOA Category 1-A/1-B credit accepted.Source16.10.15.18 NMAC[2]
AAFP Prescribed
AAFP Prescribed Credit accepted.Source16.10.15.18 NMAC[2]
Board-approved credit
PAs only
Current NCCPA certification is the operative NM PA CE framework. New Mexico defers to NCCPA maintenance; PA licenses expire March 1 following NCCPA expiration.Source16.10.15.18 NMAC[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

PAs who hold current NCCPA certification satisfy the CE requirement in full. Proof of current NCCPA certification at renewal is the primary compliance mechanism.[2]

PAs who do not hold a federal DEA registration and NM controlled substance registration are exempt from the 3-hour controlled substance prescribing CE requirement.[3]

FAQ
How many CE hours do New Mexico PAs need?
New Mexico effectively requires 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years by requiring PAs to maintain current NCCPA certification for license renewal.[2] The state does not impose a separate CE hour total beyond the NCCPA standard, which mandates 100 CME credits per biennial cycle with at least 50 in Category 1. PAs who prescribe controlled substances must also complete 3 hours on controlled substance prescribing per biennial cycle.[3]
Are there mandatory CE topics for PAs in New Mexico?
Yes, for PAs who prescribe controlled substances. PAs who hold both a federal DEA registration and a New Mexico controlled substances registration must complete 3 hours of CE per biennial cycle covering pharmacology and risks of controlled substances, awareness of abuse and addiction, state and federal prescribing regulations, and pain management.[3] PAs who do not prescribe controlled substances are exempt from this mandate.
Where can I check my New Mexico PA license renewal date?
New Mexico PA licenses expire on March 1 of the year following expiration of NCCPA certification.[2] You can check your license status through the NM Medical Board licensing portal at nmmb.state.nm.us. Renewal applications must be submitted on or before March 1 of the expiration year with proof of current NCCPA certification, applicable fees, and other required documentation.
Does New Mexico require NCCPA certification for PA license renewal?
Yes. New Mexico requires proof of current NCCPA certification as the primary mechanism for demonstrating continuing competency at biennial renewal.[2] The state does not impose its own separate CE hour total; instead, it defers to the NCCPA certification maintenance standard. PAs who let their NCCPA certification lapse cannot renew their New Mexico license.

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Other roles in New Mexico

Physician Assistants CME requirements in other states

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. 16.10.14.11(C) NMAC — Biennial Requirements for Physician Assistants (NCCPA certification + 3-hr CS-prescriber CE)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-05-12
    Show verbatim text
    “**Biennial** **requirements for physician assistants:** Beginning with the July 1, 2014 biennial renewal date, 16.10.15.16 NMAC, in addition to the national commission on certification of physician assistants (NCCPA) certification required during each biennial renewal cycle pursuant to 16.10.15.16 NMAC, all New Mexico medical board physician assistant licensees who hold a federal drug enforcement administration registration and a New Mexico controlled substances registration, shall be required to complete and submit three continuing medical education hours.”16.10.14.11(C) NMAC
    “all New Mexico medical board physician assistant licensees who hold a federal drug enforcement administration registration and a New Mexico controlled substances registration, shall be required to complete and submit three continuing medical education hours.”16.10.14.11(C) NMAC; NCCPA renewal under 16.10.15.16 NMAC · Effective 2014-07-01
  2. 16.10.15 NMAC — PA Licensure and Practice Rules (Renewal Section)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-16
    Show verbatim text
    “Physician assistant licenses expire on March 1 of the year following expiration of certification by NCCPA or other certifying agency approved by the board.To avoid additional penalty fees, a completed renewal application, accompanied by the required fees, proof of current certification of NCCPA or other certifying agency approved by the board, and other documentation must be submitted through the online renewal system, post-marked or hand-delivered on or before March 1”16.10.15.18(A) NMAC
  3. 16.10.14.11 NMAC — Controlled Substance Prescribing CE — Cornell LII (mirror)
    Secondary sourceAccessed 2026-04-16
    Show verbatim text
    “Beginning July 1, 2014, physician assistants holding federal DEA and New Mexico controlled substances registrations must complete three continuing medical education hours during each biennial renewal cycle, in addition to required NCCPA certification.”16.10.14.11(C) NMAC · Effective 2014-07-01
  4. NMMB staff email reply to D. Doehrman — 16.10.15.16 NMAC + 16.10.14.11(C) NMAC confirmation
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-05-12
    Show verbatim text
    “C. Biennial requirements for physician assistants: Beginning with the July 1, 2014 biennial renewal date, 16.10.15.16 NMAC, in addition to the national commission on certification of physician assistants (NCCPA) certification required during each biennial renewal cycle pursuant to 16.10.15.16 NMAC, all New Mexico medical board physician assistant licensees who hold a federal drug enforcement administration registration and a New Mexico controlled substances registration, shall be required to complete and submit three continuing medical education hours. Appropriate courses shall include all of the educational elements described in Paragraph (1) through (5) of Subsection A of 16.10.14.11 NMAC, or other courses in pain management with controlled substances. A licensee may request prior board approval of the applicability of any courses may be requested. These hours may be earned at any time during the two-year period immediately preceding the renewal date. ... Any or all three of these hours may also be applied to satisfy NCCPA requirements for certification.”NMMB Board Email 2026-05-12 (16.10.15.16 + 16.10.14.11)

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 Mexico 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 medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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