Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) · PA

40 hours (or NCCPA). Every two years. Due May 31 of even years.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from UDPL(~5 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 20, 2026

Mandatory topics

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.

Suicide prevention[1]
0.5 hrs
Biennial
Universal for all PAs. Per R156-70a-304(2)(b), NCCPA certification satisfies only the Category 1 hour requirements and mental health CAQ — NCCPA does NOT satisfy the suicide prevention training mandate.
View sourceVerbatim from source
“Complete at least ONE of these online courses (each counts toward CE hours): Suicide Safety Planning with Patients (0.5 credit), Talking to Patients About Suicide (0.5 credit), Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (0.5 credit).”
DOPL PA License RenewalSee source [1] in Primary Sources
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Utah 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 / controlled substances[1]
3.5 hrs
Biennial

PAs holding a Utah controlled substance license

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Controlled Substance License Renewal: Fee: $78. Requirement: 3.5 controlled substance CE credit hours approved by the Division.”
DOPL PA License RenewalSee source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalPsychiatry[1]
Hrs vary
Biennial

PAs with the Physician Assistant Specialty: Mental Health Care designation

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Mental Health Specialty: Those with this designation must complete continuing education required to maintain their CAQ in Psychiatry.”
DOPL PA License RenewalSee source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

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 systemNotes
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[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]
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

Current NCCPA certification satisfies the Category 1 hour requirements and the mental health CAQ in Psychiatry requirement.[2] NCCPA certification does NOT satisfy the suicide prevention training mandate or the controlled substance CE obligation.[3]

FAQ
How many CE hours do Utah PAs need?
PAs have two pathways: maintain NCCPA certification, OR complete 40 CE credit hours as outlined in R156-70a-304 with a minimum of 34 CE hours being ACCME Category 1.[1][2] PA licenses expire on May 31 of even-numbered years. Those who do not maintain NCCPA must complete the 40/34 structure. Mandatory topic hours apply regardless of pathway.
Are there mandatory CE topics for PAs in Utah?
Yes. All Utah PAs must complete at least one DOPL-approved suicide prevention course (0.5 credit) each renewal cycle — NCCPA certification does NOT satisfy this mandate.[2][1] PAs who hold a Utah controlled substance license must also complete 3.5 hours of controlled substance CE.[3] PAs with the Mental Health Care specialty designation must complete CE required to maintain their NCCPA CAQ in Psychiatry.
Where can I check my Utah PA license renewal date?
Renewals are due May 31st of even years; renewal notices are sent 90 days before expiration to the email on file.[1] All PA licenses share the same fixed statewide deadline. Access the online renewal system at My License One using your UtahID.
Does NCCPA certification satisfy Utah PA CE requirements?
Partially. NCCPA certification satisfies only the Category 1 hour requirements and mental health CAQ subsections of the rule.[2] Crucially, NCCPA does NOT satisfy the suicide prevention training mandate or the controlled substance CE obligation.[3] NCCPA-certified PAs must still complete the mandatory topic hours independently. The DOPL renewal page confirms this structure by listing suicide prevention as a separate line item alongside the NCCPA/40-hour choice.[1]
Do Utah PAs pay a separate fee for controlled substance licensing?
Yes. Standard PA License Renewal fee: $133. Controlled Substance License Renewal fee: $78, requiring 3.5 controlled substance CE credit hours approved by the Division.[1] The controlled substance license renews separately from the PA license.

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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. Renew a License — Utah DOPL Physician Assistant
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-21
    Show verbatim text
    “Complete at least ONE of these online courses (each counts toward CE hours): Suicide Safety Planning with Patients (0.5 credit), Talking to Patients About Suicide (0.5 credit), Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (0.5 credit).”DOPL PA License Renewal
    “Controlled Substance License Renewal: Fee: $78. Requirement: 3.5 controlled substance CE credit hours approved by the Division.”DOPL PA License Renewal
    “Mental Health Specialty: Those with this designation must complete continuing education required to maintain their CAQ in Psychiatry.”DOPL PA License Renewal
  2. Utah Admin. Code R156-70a-304 — Qualified Continuing Professional Education (PA)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-18
    Show verbatim text
    “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
  3. Utah Admin. Code R156-37-402 — Continuing Professional Education for Controlled Substance Prescribers
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-18
    Show verbatim text
    “In accordance with Subsection 58-37f-304(3), the required 1/2 hour of continuing education for the online tutorial and test relating to the controlled substance database shall be waived by the division for a controlled substance prescriber renewing a license, 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
  4. Physician Assistant — Utah Division of Professional Licensing
    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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), 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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