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Arkansas · Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant CME requirements in Arkansas

Medium confidenceLast verified June 4, 2026

Requirements at a glance

Licensing board
Renewal cycle
Every year (birth-month to birth-month)
Total CME hours
20 CME hours per renewal cycle
Category 1 minimum
None specified
Accepts NCCPA in lieu
Not specified as substitute

State-mandated CME topics

  • Opioids/benzodiazepines: 1 hr — ≥1 hr/yr within the 20.
  • Prescribing education: 3 hrs — One-time within first 2 yrs of licensure (regs/laws, recordkeeping, boundaries).

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.

Arkansas licensing boardArkansas State Medical Board
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 Arkansas State Medical Board

How this fits the national picture

Independent of Arkansas, 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 Arkansas does.

Keep exploring

Frequently asked questions

How many CME hours do physician assistants need in Arkansas?

Arkansas requires 20 CME hours for physician assistants per year.

Does Arkansas accept NCCPA certification in lieu of state CME?

Not specified as substitute.

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

Opioids/benzodiazepines: 1 hr — ≥1 hr/yr within the 20. Prescribing education: 3 hrs — One-time within first 2 yrs of licensure (regs/laws, recordkeeping, boundaries).

Informational only, not legal or compliance advice. Continuing education rules change frequently. Confirm current requirements with the Arkansas State Medical Board and your certifying body before relying on any figure here.