DISCLAIMER: It is the learner’s responsibility to understand the requirements of the applicable association, state and/or specialty and adhere to them precisely. In addition, i​​​​​​It is the learner’s responsibility to verify the type of credit awarded by looking in the course brochure, flyer, advertisement, handout, etc. for the applicable accreditation statement. 

FAQ for Medical Physician License Renewal in PA

What are the requirements for MD license renewal in PA?

To renew a license in PA, a physician will need 100 total credit hours of CME in the two-year license cycle.

  • A minimum of 20 of the total credit hours in AMA PRA Category 1 credit 
  • 12 credit hours in the areas of patient safety or risk management Additional Info
  • 2 continuing education credits from a Department of Human Services (DHS) approved course on the topic of mandated child abuse recognition and reporting
  • 2 hours of continuing education in pain management, identification of addiction, or the practices of prescribing of opioids
  • Effective May 1, 2026, medical doctors must complete at least 2 hours of continuing education in organ and tissue donation and recovery process (organ donation) one time within 5 years of initial licensure or within 5 years of licensure renewal, whichever comes first

Please Note: the two (2) hours continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting and the two (2) hours of continuing education in pain management, the identification of addiction or in the practice of prescribing or dispensing of opioids cannot be counted toward the 12 credit hours of continuing medical education to be completed in the area of patient safety and risk management.

References:

Does UPMC provide opportunities to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit online?

Yes, the UPMC CCEHS certifies hundreds of online modules. Please visit the following sites designed to meet your learning needs:

  • UPMC Physician Resources (Over 150 online courses)

http://upmcphysicianresources.com

Experts from UPMC and our partners present on the latest clinical advances, bench-to-bedside research, and best practices in care delivery. The modules are approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit and numerous modules are designated for ABIM MOC Part 2 credit.

  • University of Pittsburgh ISER Online Learning Courses

https://cme.hs.pitt.edu

Accredited modules for physicians and other healthcare professionals including University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine Grand Rounds and numerous modules designated for ABIM MOC Part 2 credit.

  • UPMC Center for Continuing Education Learning Portal

https://cce.upmc.com

Accredited modules for physicians and other healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses and pharmacists.

  • Wolff Learning Academy at UPMC

https://www.wolfflearningacademy.com/

The Wolff Learning Academy, part of the Wolff Center at UPMC, is designed to meet the quality and safety educational needs of healthcare professionals, including executives, physicians, directors/managers, and clinical staff by providing education, tools, and resources based on reliability and improvement science to improve healthcare outcomes.

What is the difference between AMA Category 1 and Category 2?

AMA Category 1 activities are those that have been approved by an accredited provider. 

AMA Category 2 credit hours consist of self-directed learning or courses that have not been through a formal approval process. The following are some common examples of Category 2 activities:

  • participation in educational activities that have not been designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit
  • teaching physicians, residents, medical students or other health professionals
  • unstructured online searching and learning
  • reading authoritative medical literature
  • consultation with peers and medical experts
  • small group discussions
  • self-assessment activities
  • medical writing
  • preceptorship participation
  •  research
  • peer review and quality assurance participation
How do I prove Category 2 credits if I am audited?

The regulations state that Category 2 credit hours must be documented in the form of a physician log or diary including: 

  • activity title
  • subject or content area
  • date(s) of participation (i.e., month/day/year)
  • number of credits claimed

A Category 2 Continuing Medical Education Reporting Form can be found at www.dos.pa.gov/med.   

    Below is information on content specific requirements: