A source-verified guide to Utah's CME requirements for PAs — hours, mandatory topics, audit rules, and exemptions.
Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated July 4, 2026
For PAs, 40 hours is the total CME requirement. Utah also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 40-hour total.
“Complete at least ONE of the following online suicide prevention trainings (these qualify for the CE credit hours above)”
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.
PAs holding a Utah controlled substance license
“Controlled Substance licenses renew at the same time as the main license and require the following:”
PAs with the Physician Assistant Specialty: Mental Health Care designation
“Physician Assistants who specialize in mental health care shall complete continuing education required to maintain their CAQ in Psychiatry.”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Utah 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 system | Notes |
|---|---|
AMA PRA Category 1 min 34 hrs | At least 34 of the 40 hours must be ACCME Category 1. AMA PRA Category 1 Credit from ACCME-accredited providers satisfies this floor.SourceR156-70a-304(1)(a)[2] |
AAPA Category 1 PAs only | AAPA Category 1 CME Credit is the canonical NCCPA Category I credit and is accepted under the R156-70a-304 Category 1 framework.SourceR156-70a-304(3)(a)[2] |
Board-approved credit PAs only | The remaining 6 hours (of the 40-hour total) may come from other Division-approved sources beyond ACCME Category 1.SourceR156-70a-304[2] |
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your a fixed calendar cycle renewal.
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.
“Complete at least ONE of the following online suicide prevention trainings (these qualify for the CE credit hours above)”DOPL PA License Renewal page (suicide prevention line item)
“Controlled Substance licenses renew at the same time as the main license and require the following:”DOPL PA License Renewal page (3.5 CS CE hrs) + Utah Admin. Code R156-37-402; statute now Utah Code § 58-37-303 (formerly § 58-37-6.5)
“Physician Assistants who specialize in mental health care shall complete continuing education required to maintain their CAQ in Psychiatry.”DOPL PA License Renewal page + Utah Admin. Code R156-70a-304(2)(a)(ii)
“A physician assistant shall complete at least 40 CME hours during each two-year licensure cycle, that include: at least 34 CME hours in category 1 offerings as established by the ACCME.”R156-70a-304
“The Division shall recognize credit for continuing education as follows: ... (c) under Subsection 58-37f-304(3), waive the required 1/2 hour of continuing education for the online tutorial and test relating to the controlled substance database if the prescriber attests on the license renewal form that: (i) in the past license period, the prescriber accessed the controlled substance database; and (ii) upon the prescriber's information and belief, the prescriber's use of the database reduced the prescribing, dispensing, and use of opioids in an unprofessional or unlawful manner, or in quantities or frequencies inconsistent with generally recognized standards of dosage for an opioid.”R156-37-402