West Virginia Board of Medicine · PA

100 hours. Every 2 years. State-specific (not NCCPA-derived).

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

Updated April 2026Sourced from WVBM~5 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 18, 2026

Mandatory topics

West Virginia has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 100-hour total.

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your West Virginia 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 hrs
Biennial

PAs who prescribed, administered, or dispensed controlled substances during the reporting period

View sourceVerbatim from source
“During each renewal period, licensees who prescribed controlled substances must complete the three-hour course on responsible prescribing of controlled substances.”
W. Va. Code R. § 11-1B-14.4See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalOpioid / controlled substances[1]
3 hrs
One-time

New PA licensees who prescribe controlled substances within their first year

View sourceVerbatim from source
“New licensees must complete three hours of Board-approved training on Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances within one year, unless they don't prescribe controlled substances.”
W. Va. Code R. § 11-1B-14.3See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, West Virginia 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 50 hrs
Minimum 50 of the 100 hours must be Category I, designated by AMA, AAPA, or AAFP. AMA PRA Category 1 Credit is a canonical Category I credit.SourceW. Va. Code R. § 11-1B-14.1-14.2[1]
AAPA Category 1
PAs only
AAPA is explicitly named as a Category I source.SourceW. Va. Code R. § 11-1B-14.2[1]
AAFP Prescribed
AAFP-designated Category I credits are explicitly accepted.SourceW. Va. Code R. § 11-1B-14.2[1]
Category 2 continuing education
PAs onlymax 50 hrs
Up to 50 of the 100 hours may be Category II activities.SourceW. Va. Code R. § 11-1B-14.2[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

NCCPA Recertification: passing a recertification examination satisfies all CME requirements except the mandatory 3-hour controlled substance training.[2] Provides up to 100 hours of CME credit.

New Licensees with Master's Degrees: for 2025 renewal, those receiving initial licenses after April 1, 2023, and master's degrees after April 1, 2024, may waive standard CME requirements (except the 3-hour controlled substance course).[2]

PAs with initial license granted after the applicable cutoff date must complete the 3-hour controlled substance training within one year of initial licensure — an extended deadline for new licensees.[1]

Applicants can seek waivers by attesting they did not prescribe controlled substances or received licensure after April 1, 2024.[2]

FAQ
How many CE hours do West Virginia PAs need?
Physician assistants must complete a minimum of 100 hours of continuing education satisfactory to the Board during the preceding two-year period.[1] Minimum 50 hours Category I, maximum 50 hours Category II.[2] Acceptable Category I activities come from AMA, AAPA, or AAFP. Unlike many states, West Virginia does not simply defer to NCCPA certification — it maintains its own state-specific hour requirement with a separate controlled substance training mandate.
Are there mandatory CE topics for PAs in West Virginia?
Only conditionally. PAs who prescribed, administered, or dispensed controlled substances during the reporting period must complete 3 hours of Board-approved 'Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances Training' each renewal cycle.[1][2] The mandatory course shall satisfy three of the 100 required hours of continuing education. PAs who did not handle controlled substances may seek a waiver by attestation.
Where can I check my West Virginia PA license renewal date?
You can check your license status through the West Virginia Board of Medicine website at wvbom.wv.gov. A licensee shall renew biennially, on a schedule established by the appropriate licensing board.[3] If renewal is not timely, the license automatically expires. Within one year of expiration, reinstatement is available;[3] beyond one year, a new license application is required.
Does NCCPA recertification satisfy West Virginia's PA CE requirement?
Passing a recertification examination satisfies all CME requirements except the mandatory 3-hour controlled substance training.[2] Passing PANRE or PANRE-LA provides up to 100 hours of CME credit, but the 3-hour CS training remains required independently if the PA prescribes CS. Because the 100-hour figure is specified independently in the state regulation,[1] nccpaDerived: false applies — NCCPA is an alternative pathway rather than the source of the hour count.

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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. W. Va. Code R. § 11-1B-14 — CME Requirements for Physician Assistants
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-17
    Show verbatim text
    “14.1 Physician assistants must complete a minimum of 100 hours of continuing education satisfactory to the Board during the preceding two-year period. 14.2 Acceptable education types include Category I activities from AMA, AAPA, or AAFP; Category II activities capped at 50 hours; master's degrees yielding up to 100 hours; and NCCPA recertification exams providing up to 100 hours credit. 14.3 New licensees must complete three hours of Board-approved training on Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances within one year, unless they don't prescribe controlled substances. 14.4 During each renewal period, licensees who prescribed controlled substances must complete the three-hour course on responsible prescribing of controlled substances. 14.5 The mandatory course shall satisfy three of the 100 required hours of continuing education.”W. Va. Code R. § 11-1B-14
    “During each renewal period, licensees who prescribed controlled substances must complete the three-hour course on responsible prescribing of controlled substances.”W. Va. Code R. § 11-1B-14.4
    “New licensees must complete three hours of Board-approved training on Risk Assessment and Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances within one year, unless they don't prescribe controlled substances.”W. Va. Code R. § 11-1B-14.3
  2. PA Continuing Education — West Virginia Board of Medicine
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-17
  3. W. Va. Code § 30-3E-6 — License Renewal Requirements (PA)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-17
    Show verbatim text
    “A licensee shall renew biennially, on a schedule established by the appropriate licensing board, by submitting: (1) A complete renewal application; (2) The renewal fee; and (3) An attestation that all continuing education requirements for the reporting period have been met.”W. Va. Code § 30-3E-6

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 West Virginia Board of Medicine, 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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