PPPPProviderPair
All statesGet started
Massachusetts · Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant CME requirements in Massachusetts

Low confidenceLast verified June 4, 2026

Requirements at a glance

Licensing board
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years (by birthday)
Total CME hours
Not confirmed for PAs (the widely-cited 50 CME/risk-management/opioid/implicit-bias figures pertain to physicians); PA requirement generally tied to NCCPA + state opioid training
Accepts NCCPA in lieu
Generally yes (NCCPA), verify

State-mandated CME topics

  • Opioid/pain management: — Required for prescribers (Ch. 52 of Acts of 2016).

Sources

Every figure on this page is compiled from the primary board and national certification sources below, cross-checked against reputable aggregators. Requirements change often and some boards publish only in PDFs or login-walled portals — confirm current rules directly before relying on them for renewal.

Massachusetts licensing boardMA Board of Registration in Medicine (BORIM)
NCCPA certification (national)nccpa.net/maintain-certification/continuing-medical-education
NCCPA certification (national)nccpa.net/news/panre-la
NCCPA certification (national)nccpa.net/maintain-certification
DEA MATE Act (federal)samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/statutes-regulations-guidelines/mate-act
DEA MATE Act (federal)dea.gov
Verify with MA Board of Registration in Medicine (BORIM) →

How this fits the national picture

Independent of Massachusetts, every PA maintains NCCPA certification — 100 CME credits every two-year cycle (at least 50 Category 1) plus a recertification exam by year 10. Many states accept that in place of separate state CME; this page notes whether Massachusetts does.

Keep exploring

Frequently asked questions

How many CME hours do physician assistants need in Massachusetts?

Not confirmed for PAs (the widely-cited 50 CME/risk-management/opioid/implicit-bias figures pertain to physicians); PA requirement generally tied to NCCPA + state opioid training. Renewal cycle: Every 2 years (by birthday).

Does Massachusetts accept NCCPA certification in lieu of state CME?

Generally yes (NCCPA), verify.

What topic-specific CME does Massachusetts require for physician assistants?

Opioid/pain management: — Required for prescribers (Ch. 52 of Acts of 2016).

Informational only, not legal or compliance advice. Continuing education rules change frequently. Confirm current requirements with the MA Board of Registration in Medicine (BORIM) and your certifying body before relying on any figure here.