Pennsylvania · MD and DO
Pennsylvania: Pain management, identification of addiction, or opioid prescribing/dispensing (Act 124)
MD: 2 hours, every renewal · DO: 2 hours, every renewal.
Last verified against the sources below. Requirements change — confirm with your Board before you rely on this page. This is general information, not legal advice.
MD (medical doctor)
- Hours
- 2 hours
- How often
- Every renewal
- Who
- Physicians registered with the DEA
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every 2 years; licenses expire at December 31 of even-numbered years.
- Board
- Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine
- The rule
- 49 Pa. Code §16.19(b)(1) and section 9.1(a)(2) of the ABC-MAP Act: 2 hours each renewal in pain management, the identification of addiction or the practices of prescribing or dispensing opioids, "completed in AMA PRA Category 1 or AMA PRA Category 2", if you hold a DEA registration or use another's to prescribe controlled substances. The rule names no provider restriction; the PA-SUPPORT curriculum "satisfies this requirement, but it is not required curriculum." (The Board's CME sheet says "Board-approved continuing education provider"; the rule, amended April 25, 2026, governs and accepts AMA PRA credit.) Separate from the 4 hours due within 12 months of initial licensure (Act 124 §9.1(a)(1)).
DO (osteopathic physician)
- Hours
- 2 hours
- How often
- Every renewal
- Who
- Physicians registered with the DEA
- Renewal cycle
- Renews every 2 years; licenses expire at October 31 of even-numbered years.
- Board
- Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine
- The rule
- 49 Pa. Code §25.271(c) and section 9.1(a)(2) of the ABC-MAP Act: 2 hours each renewal in pain management, the identification of addiction or the practices of prescribing or dispensing opioids, in AOA Category 1 or 2, if you hold a DEA registration or use another's to prescribe controlled substances. The rule names no provider restriction. (The Board's CME sheet says "Board-approved continuing education provider"; the rule, amended April 25, 2026, governs.) Separate from the 4 hours due within 12 months of initial licensure (Act 124 §9.1(a)(1)).
What to do next
Other states that require it
Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine and 13 more. Every state that requires it
Sources
- State Board of Medicine — CME requirements for (MD) Physician and Surgeon License (PDF)
- State Board of Medicine — Renewal Information
- 49 Pa. Code §16.19 — Continuing medical education (amended effective April 25, 2026)
- 49 Pa. Code §16.15 — Biennial registration
- 49 Pa. Code §16.108 — Child abuse recognition and reporting, mandatory training
- Act 124 of 2016 — adds section 9.1 to the ABC-MAP Act (opioid education)
- Pennsylvania Department of State — Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Continuing Education Providers (Act 31)
- Pennsylvania DHS — Mandated reporter training (no new curricula accepted since January 1, 2025)
- State Board of Osteopathic Medicine — CME requirements for Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon License (PDF)
- State Board of Osteopathic Medicine — Renewal Information
- State Board of Osteopathic Medicine — 2026 Renewal Guide (PDF, rev. 7/2026)
- 49 Pa. Code §25.271 — Requirements for renewal (amended effective April 25, 2026)
- 49 Pa. Code §25.417 — Child abuse recognition and reporting, mandatory training
MD facts last verified October 8, 2026 · DO facts last verified October 8, 2026.