Vermont Board of Medical Practice · PA

100 hours every 2 years. ≥50 Category 1.

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from VBMP~5 min read

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated April 18, 2026

Mandatory topics

Vermont 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/Substance Use[1]
2 hrs
Biennial

PAs registered with the DEA (holding a DEA number to prescribe controlled substances) or with a pending DEA application

View sourceVerbatim from source
“All licensees who prescribe controlled substances shall certify at the time of each renewal that they have completed at least two hours of CME activity on controlled substances prescribing. The activity must be accredited as AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM training, American Academy of Physician Assistants Category 1 training, or be specifically designated as qualifying by the Board. The following topics must be covered, as required by Vermont law: abuse and diversion, safe use, and appropriate storage and disposal of controlled substances; the appropriate use of the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System; risk assessment for abuse or addiction; pharmacological and nonpharmacological alternatives to opioids for managing pain; medication tapering and cessation of the use of controlled substances; and relevant State and federal laws and regulations concerning the prescription of opioid controlled substances. Each licensee who is registered with the D.E.A. and who holds a D.E.A. number to prescribe controlled substances, or who has submitted a pending application for one, is presumed to prescribe controlled substances and must meet this requirement.”
VBMP Rule 32.4.3See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Vermont 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
PAs onlymin 50 hrs
VBMP Rule 32.4.1 requires a minimum of 50 Category 1 credits out of the 100 biennial hours.SourceVBMP Rule 32.4.1[1]
AAPA Category 1
PAs only
AAPA Category 1 credit is accepted. Required credit type for the Section 32.4.3 controlled substances CME (AMA PRA Category 1, AAPA Category 1, or Board-designated qualifying activity).SourceVBMP Rule 32.4.3[1]
Board-approved credit
PAs onlymax 50 hrs
Up to 50 hours of the 100 biennial hours may be from non-Category 1 approved credit.SourceVBMP Rule 32.4.1[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

Certification or recertification by the NCCPA at any time during a 2-year licensure period may be accepted in lieu of 100 hours continuing medical education credits for that 2-year period.[1] NCCPA certification is an optional alternative pathway, not a renewal mandate.

Recent graduates from accredited PA programs (within three years) are exempt from the knowledge-update requirements.[3]

FAQ
How many CE hours do Vermont PAs need?
Vermont PAs must complete 100 approved continuing medical education credit hours every two years, with a minimum of 50 Category 1 credits.[1] Proof of completion is submitted with the biennial renewal application. Alternatively, current NCCPA certification or recertification during the 2-year licensure period may be accepted in lieu of the 100 hours.[1]
Are there mandatory CE topics for PAs in Vermont?
Yes, for DEA-registered PAs. Any PA who is registered with the DEA (or has a pending DEA application) must complete at least 2 hours of CME at each renewal on controlled substances prescribing.[1] The CME must be AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, AAPA Category 1, or Board-designated, and must cover: abuse and diversion; safe use, storage, and disposal; the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System; risk assessment for abuse/addiction; pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic pain-management alternatives to opioids; medication tapering and cessation; and relevant state and federal opioid prescribing laws. PAs without DEA registration have no Vermont-specific mandatory topics beyond the general 100-hour / 50-Category-1 structure.
Does NCCPA certification satisfy Vermont PA CE requirements?
Certification or recertification by the NCCPA at any time during a 2-year licensure period may be accepted in lieu of 100 hours continuing medical education credits for that 2-year period.[1] NCCPA is an optional alternative pathway — a PA with current NCCPA certification can use that to satisfy the 100-hour documentation requirement. PAs who are not NCCPA-certified must document the 100 hours (≥50 Category 1) directly to the Board. DEA-registered PAs must still complete the separate 2-hour controlled substances CME regardless of NCCPA status.[1]
Where can I check my Vermont PA license renewal date?
Vermont PA license information is available through the VBMP online portal at mpb.health.vermont.gov. Licenses and certifications are renewed on a fixed biennial schedule.[1] VBMP contact: AHS.VDHMedicalBoard@vermont.gov | (802) 657-4220.
Is the 100-hour requirement a Vermont state rule or just NCCPA's rule?
It is a direct Vermont state rule. The board rule — adopted under Vermont statute and codified at CVR 13-141-001 — independently requires 100 approved CME credit hours every two years with a minimum of 50 Category 1 credits for all Vermont PAs.[1][2] Vermont's requirement parallels NCCPA's national maintenance standard, but the numeric obligation is set by the Board's administrative rule, not by incorporation of NCCPA. NCCPA certification is merely an accepted alternative to documenting the hours.[1]

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Other roles in Vermont

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. VBMP Rule 32.4.1 — PA Continuing Education (100 hours, ≥50 Category 1)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-18
    Show verbatim text
    “As evidence of continued competence in the knowledge and skills of a physician assistant, all physician assistants shall complete a continuing medical education program of 100 approved credit hours every two years. A minimum of 50 credit hours shall be from Category 1. Proof of completion shall be submitted to the Board with the application for renewal of certification.”VBMP Rule 32.4.1 · Effective 2024-05-01
    “All licensees who prescribe controlled substances shall certify at the time of each renewal that they have completed at least two hours of CME activity on controlled substances prescribing. The activity must be accredited as AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM training, American Academy of Physician Assistants Category 1 training, or be specifically designated as qualifying by the Board. The following topics must be covered, as required by Vermont law: abuse and diversion, safe use, and appropriate storage and disposal of controlled substances; the appropriate use of the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System; risk assessment for abuse or addiction; pharmacological and nonpharmacological alternatives to opioids for managing pain; medication tapering and cessation of the use of controlled substances; and relevant State and federal laws and regulations concerning the prescription of opioid controlled substances. Each licensee who is registered with the D.E.A. and who holds a D.E.A. number to prescribe controlled substances, or who has submitted a pending application for one, is presumed to prescribe controlled substances and must meet this requirement.”VBMP Rule 32.4.3
    “Certification or recertification by the NCCPA at any time during a 2-year licensure period may be accepted in lieu of 100 hours continuing medical education credits for that 2-year period. PAs must also comply with any applicable continuing medical education requirements established by Vermont law or Board Rule.”VBMP Rule 32.4.2 · Effective 2024-05-01
    “All licensees who prescribe controlled substances shall certify at the time of each renewal that they have completed at least two hours of CME activity on controlled substances prescribing. The activity must be accredited as AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ training, American Academy of Physician Assistants Category 1 training, or be specifically designated as qualifying by the Board. … Each licensee who is registered with the D.E.A. and who holds a D.E.A. number to prescribe controlled substances, or who has submitted a pending application for one, is presumed to prescribe controlled substances and must meet this requirement.”VBMP Rule 32.4.3 · Effective 2024-05-01
    “Licenses and certifications are renewed on a fixed biennial schedule.”VBMP Rule 7.1
  2. 26 V.S.A. § 1351 — Board Rulemaking Authority
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-18
  3. 26 V.S.A. § 1734 — Eligibility (PA)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-17
    Show verbatim text
    “(c) A licensee for renewal of an active license to practice shall have practiced as a physician assistant within the last three years or have complied with the requirements for updating knowledge and skills as defined by Board rules. … (e) If a license lapses for three years or longer, the Board may require the licensee to update the licensee's knowledge and skills as defined by Board rules.”26 V.S.A. § 1734b(c), (e)
    “Has engaged in practice as a physician assistant within the last three years or has complied with the requirements for updating knowledge and skills as defined by Board rules.”26 V.S.A. § 1734(a)(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 Vermont Board of Medical Practice, 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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