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Virginia Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

Virginia has one of the lowest physician CME requirements in the nation at just 30 hours every 2 years. PAs rely primarily on NCCPA certification maintenance, with additional pharmacology training required only for those with prescriptive authority.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

Virginia physicians must complete 30 CME hours per biennial renewal cycle under 18VAC85-20-235.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 30 hours minimum per 2-year cycle
Credit type Type 1 activities from accredited sponsors
Renewal cycle 2 years (biennial)
Special topics None specifically mandated
Record retention 6 years following renewal

First Renewal Exemption

New licensees are exempt from CME requirements for their first biennial renewal following initial Virginia licensure.

Extensions and Exemptions

The Board may grant up to a one-year extension for good cause, including:

Exemption Details
Temporary disability Extension available
Mandatory military service Exempt
Officially declared disasters Extension available
Uncompensated practice Exempt if under physician supervision
Medical examiners Must obtain 6 hours medical examiner training annually

Physician Assistant Requirements

Virginia PAs rely on NCCPA certification as their primary CME pathway, with additional requirements for prescriptive authority.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
State CME hours No specific hours beyond NCCPA
Primary requirement Current NCCPA certification
Renewal cycle Biennially, birth month in odd-numbered years
Renewal fee $135

Prescriptive Authority Requirements

PAs seeking authority to prescribe Controlled Substances (Schedules II-VI) must complete:

Requirement Details
Pharmacology training 35 hours minimum
Scope Required for prescriptive authority

Practice Agreement

  • Practice Agreement required between PA and supervising physician
  • Agreement kept on file and available to Board upon request
  • Invasive procedure attestation forms required (physician must verify competency)

Provisional Licensure

Available for PAs pending NCCPA exam results (maximum 30 days).

License Reinstatement

If license expired more than 2 years, a new application is required.

Comparison: Virginia vs Other States

State MD Hours Cycle Notes
Virginia 30 hours 2 years Lowest among major states
California 50 hours 2 years Average
Pennsylvania 100 hours 2 years High
Illinois 150 hours 3 years Highest

Virginia's 30-hour requirement is 40% lower than the typical 50-hour state requirement.

Documentation Requirements

Requirement Details
Record retention 6 years following renewal
Submission at renewal Attestation required
Audit Board may audit; non-compliance = disciplinary action

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

Virginia requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements. Both are regulated by the Virginia Board of Medicine with the same 30-hour biennial requirement.

Tips for Virginia Licensees

  1. Low bar for MDs — 30 hours over 2 years is manageable (15 hrs/year)
  2. First renewal is free — New licensees exempt from CME initially
  3. Keep records 6 years — Virginia has a longer retention requirement
  4. PAs: Maintain NCCPA — That's your primary requirement
  5. PAs with Rx authority: 35 hours pharmacology — Plan accordingly
  6. Medical examiners: Separate requirement — 6 hours annually

Contact Information

Virginia Board of Medicine

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