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Tennessee · Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant CME requirements in Tennessee

High confidenceLast verified June 4, 2026

Requirements at a glance

Licensing board
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years (birth month)
Total CME hours
100 hrs within 2 yrs (Cat I/II split per NCCPA)
Accepts NCCPA in lieu
Effectively required (Cat split tied to NCCPA)

State-mandated CME topics

  • Controlled-substance prescribing (TN Chronic Pain Guidelines): 2 hrs — All licensees regardless of DEA registration.

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.

Tennessee licensing boardTennessee Committee on Physician Assistants (TN Dept of Health)
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 Tennessee Committee on Physician Assistants (TN Dept of Health) →

How this fits the national picture

Independent of Tennessee, 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 Tennessee does.

Keep exploring

Frequently asked questions

How many CME hours do physician assistants need in Tennessee?

100 hrs within 2 yrs (Cat I/II split per NCCPA). Renewal cycle: Every 2 years (birth month).

Does Tennessee accept NCCPA certification in lieu of state CME?

Effectively required (Cat split tied to NCCPA).

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

Controlled-substance prescribing (TN Chronic Pain Guidelines): 2 hrs — All licensees regardless of DEA registration.

Informational only, not legal or compliance advice. Continuing education rules change frequently. Confirm current requirements with the Tennessee Committee on Physician Assistants (TN Dept of Health) and your certifying body before relying on any figure here.