Washington CME Requirements for Physician Assistants

Mandatory topics

For PAs, 100 hours is the total CME requirement. Washington also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 100-hour total.

Suicide prevention[1]

6 hrs

One-time

One-time only — can be split across multiple sessions. Training must be on the DOH model list developed under RCW 43.70.442. PAs with only brief, limited, or no patient contact are exempt. Hours count toward (not in addition to) the 100-hour total.

View sourceVerbatim from source

“A licensed physician assistant must complete a one-time training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. The training must be at least six hours in length...”

WAC 246-918-185(1)See source [1] in Primary Sources

Cultural competency[2]

2 hrs

Quadrennial

Universal for all Washington PAs — every four years, not every two. Course content must include implicit bias training, individual and system-level interventions, cultural competency for diverse populations, and application of health equity concepts. Counts within the 100-hour total when completed in the applicable cycle.

View sourceVerbatim from source

“a minimum of two hours in health equity continuing education”

WAC 246-12-820See source [2] in Primary Sources

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Washington 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[3]

1 hr

One-time

PAs licensed to prescribe opioids in Washington

View sourceVerbatim from source

“To prescribe an opioid in Washington state, a physician assistant licensed to prescribe opioids shall complete a one-time continuing education requirement...The continuing education must be at least one hour in length.”

WAC 246-918-825(1)See source [3] in Primary Sources

Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Washington 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
AAPA Category 1 PAs onlymin 40 hrs	At least 40 of the 100 hours must be Category I (accredited sponsorship). The commission uses the AAPA standard to evaluate CE — AAPA Category 1 CME is the canonical credit.Source`WAC 246-918-180(3), (4)`[4]
AMA PRA Category 1	AMA PRA Category 1 Credit from ACCME-accredited providers qualifies as Category I under the AAPA standard.Source`WAC 246-918-180(3)-(4)`[4]
Category 2 continuing education PAs onlymax 60 hrs	Up to 60 of the 100 hours may come from Category II — non-accredited sponsorship and other meritorious learning experiences.Source`WAC 246-918-180(3)`[4]

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

In lieu of one hundred hours of continuing medical education the commission will accept: current certification with the NCCPA; compliance with a continuing maintenance of competency program through the AAPA or the NCCPA; or other programs approved by the commission.[4] NCCPA certification or AAPA/NCCPA CMC programs satisfy the entire 100-hour requirement.

The commission exempts any licensed physician assistant from the suicide assessment training requirements if the physician assistant has only brief, limited, or no patient contact.[1]

FAQ

How many CE hours do Washington PAs need?

A physician assistant must complete one hundred hours of continuing education every two years, with a minimum of forty credit hours earned in Category I (activities with accredited sponsorship).[4] The remaining 60 hours may come from Category II (non-accredited sponsorship and other meritorious learning experience). In lieu of the 100 hours the commission will accept current NCCPA certification or compliance with an AAPA/NCCPA continuing maintenance of competency program.

Are there mandatory CE topics for PAs in Washington?

Yes. A one-time 6-hour training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management is required (universal, with exemption for PAs with only brief/limited/no patient contact).[1] A one-time 1-hour training on opioid prescribing best practices is required ONLY for PAs licensed to prescribe opioids (conditional).[3] Two hours of health equity training every 4 years applies universally.[2] Topic mandates apply independently of the NCCPA-pathway general-hour exemption.

Where can I check my Washington PA license renewal date?

Washington PA licenses are managed through the Washington Medical Commission at wmc.wa.gov.[5] Per layer 1 context and WMC practice, licenses expire on the PA's birthday every two years with courtesy renewal notices approximately 90 days before expiration.

Does NCCPA certification satisfy Washington's PA CE requirement?

Yes for the general 100 hours. In lieu of one hundred hours of continuing medical education the commission will accept current certification with the NCCPA, compliance with a continuing maintenance of competency program through the AAPA or the NCCPA, or other programs approved by the commission.[4] However, the one-time suicide assessment training,[1] one-time opioid prescribing training,[3] and recurring health equity training[2] must still be completed independently.

100 hours. Every 2 years. Tied to your birthday.

Never miss a Washington CME deadline.

Sources & Citations