MDCMEOverview
Pennsylvania requires physicians to complete 100 hours of CME every 2 years. The state emphasizes patient safety education with specific hour requirements and conducts random audits to verify compliance.
Physician (MD/DO) Requirements
Pennsylvania physicians must complete 100 CME hours per biennial renewal period under 49 Pa. Code § 16.19.
CME Breakdown
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total CME | 100 hours per 2-year cycle |
| AMA PRA Category 1 | Minimum 20 hours |
| Patient Safety & Risk Management | Minimum 12 hours (Category 1 or 2) |
| Child Abuse Recognition | Minimum 2 hours (included in 100 total) |
| Rollover | No — hours cannot carry over |
| Audit | Random audits conducted |
Category 1 Approved Activities
At least 20 hours must come from structured Category 1 activities:
- AMA PRA Category 1 certified courses
- ACCME-accredited organization programs
- Medical professional society certifications
- Specialty board certification/recertification
- Healthcare system credentialing programs
- Third-party payor credentialing activities
Category 2 Approved Activities
Remaining hours may come from self-directed Category 2 activities:
- Personal documentation (logbooks, journal notes)
- Credentialing application preparation
- Self-study with contemporary documentation
- Must identify activity and time spent
Patient Safety & Risk Management (12 Hours)
The 12-hour patient safety requirement must include topics such as:
- Improving medical records and recordkeeping
- Reducing medical errors
- Professional conduct and ethics
- Improving communications
- Preventive medicine
- Healthcare quality improvement
Child Abuse Recognition (2 Hours)
All Pennsylvania physicians must complete 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting training as part of their 100-hour total. This is a recurring requirement each biennial renewal.
Physician Assistant Requirements
Pennsylvania PAs follow NCCPA certification requirements as their primary CME standard, with one additional state mandate.
CME Breakdown
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary requirement | Maintain NCCPA certification |
| NCCPA standard | 100 CME credits per 2 years |
| State-mandated topic | Child abuse training (2 hours) |
| Renewal cycle | 2 years (biennial) |
Key Points
- No additional state CME hours beyond NCCPA requirements
- Must maintain current NCCPA certification and complete recertification mechanisms recognized by the Board
- Board recognizes NCCPA and successor organizations' certifications
- Other national PA certification organizations may be recognized if published on Board's website
Child Abuse Training (Mandatory)
Like physicians, PAs must complete 2 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training at each renewal. This is the only state-specific CME mandate beyond NCCPA.
Supervision Requirements
- Written collaboration agreements required with supervising physician
- 100% countersignature of patient records required for:
- First 12 months post-graduation
- First 12 months in a new specialty
Key Differences: MD vs PA
| Aspect | Physicians (MD/DO) | Physician Assistants |
|---|---|---|
| Total hours | 100 hours | NCCPA (100 hours) |
| Category 1 minimum | 20 hours | Per NCCPA |
| Patient safety | 12 hours required | Not state-mandated |
| Child abuse | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| State-specific hours | Yes (100 hrs) | No (follows NCCPA) |
Documentation Requirements
Record Keeping
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Retention period | 2 years after renewal |
| Submission | Certify completion on renewal form |
| Audit documentation | Must produce official records if audited |
Renewal Process
- Complete 100 CME hours during biennial period
- Certify completion on Board-provided form
- Submit with biennial renewal application
- Maintain records for 2 years (in case of audit)
Exemptions
Pennsylvania offers several CME exemptions:
| Exemption | Details |
|---|---|
| First-time PA licensees | Exempt for first biennial renewal |
| Temporary training license | Exempt from CME |
| Retired (family care only) | Exempt if only treating immediate family |
| Inactive status | Exempt while inactive (must show compliance when reinstating) |
Not exempt: Physicians suspended for disciplinary reasons must still comply.
Hardship Waiver
Waivers available for:
- Serious illness
- Military service
- Other good cause (case-by-case evaluation)
Request must be:
- In writing
- Include appropriate documentation
- Submitted before renewal deadline
DO (Osteopathic) Physicians
Pennsylvania requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements. Both fall under the Medical Practice Act with the same 100-hour biennial requirement.
Disciplinary Consequences
Non-compliance with CME requirements may result in:
- Disciplinary proceedings under Medical Practice Act of 1985
- License suspension or revocation
- Fines and penalties
Pennsylvania takes CME compliance seriously with active enforcement.
Approved CME Providers
Pennsylvania accepts CME from:
- Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
- Pennsylvania Medical Society
- State medical societies with approved programs
- Healthcare systems with credentialing programs
Tips for Pennsylvania Licensees
- Track patient safety hours separately — The 12-hour requirement is easy to overlook
- Don't skip child abuse training — Required every renewal, not just once
- No rollover means plan carefully — Start early in your cycle
- Document Category 2 contemporaneously — Records must be made at time of activity
- Keep records for 2+ years — Audits can happen after renewal
- Request hardship waivers early — Don't wait until the deadline