Pennsylvania Medical License Renewal Checklist

It is a medical license renewal year. Before this year’s end, you will need to renew your license to continue practicing medicine in Pennsylvania. What are the CME requirements to renew an active license?

DO License Renewal 

To renew a DO medical license a physician will need to meet the following CME requirements:

  • 100 total credit hours in a two-year license renewal period ending October 31.
    • At least 20 credits must be AOA Category 1-A
    • At least 12 credits in the areas of approved patient safety or risk management content (either Category 1 or Category 2).
    • 2 credits from a Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) approved course on the topic of mandated child abuse recognition and reporting (either Category 1 or Category 2).
    • 2 credits in areas on pain management, identification of addiction, or the practices of prescribing of opioids (either Category 1 or Category 2).
    Check out our Education Requirements for Licensure FAQ page for more information.

MD License Renewal 

To renew a MD medical license a physician will need to meet the following CME requirements:

  • 100 total credit hours in a two-year license renewal period ending December 31.
    • At least 20 credits must be AMA PRA Category 1
    • At least 12 credits in the areas of approved patient safety or risk management content (either Category 1 or Category 2).
    • 2 credits from a Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) approved course on the topic of mandated child abuse recognition and reporting (either Category 1 or Category 2).
    • 2 credits in areas on pain management, identification of addiction, or the practices of prescribing of opioids (either Category 1 or Category 2).
    Check out our Education Requirements for Licensure FAQ page for more information.

Are you ready? PAMED can help.

Many things can happen along the way to delay your license renewal.
Begin preparing NOW! Take stock! Before you get to the rush of the end of the year and have to renew your license on top of all your other obligations, you will want to do the following:



1

Login to PALS

Login to the state’s licensing system, called PALS now - the address is www.pals.pa.govto ensure you are able to access the system and that they have the email address you wish for them to use to notify you that it is time to renew your license. The licensing boards only open the portal approximately 60 days prior to the deadline of October 31 for DOs and December 31 for MDs so getting this out of the way now will reduce your stress at the end of the year! DO license renewal will open in September and MD license renewal will open in November.


2

Look at what CME you have completed (for active licenses)

  1. Do you have 100 credits hours?
  2. Are 12 credit hours in patient safety or risk management?
  3. Are 2 credit hours in pain management, identification of addiction, or the prescribing of opioids?
    1. Opioids credits are not required if the licensee does not have a DEA registration number and does not prescribe under another individual or entity’s DEA registration
  4. Are 2 credit hours in state-approved child abuse recognition and reporting?
If you are missing any of these items, go to www.pamedsoc.org/CME to take the courses now!
childabuse

Important Note on Child Abuse: 

If you are taking the child abuse reporting CME via PAMED’s website, please note that it is ✅ automatically reported for you to the state. However, it is not an immediate transaction. Please leave yourself plenty of time to take the CME and for your completion record to be uploaded to the state.
opioids

Important Note on Opioids: 

While PAMED is a course vendor for the opioid education, we do not have permission to report opioid training to the licensing boards. 🛑 Licensees must self-report or self-attest to completion as follows:

  • Initial license applicants should report opioids training documentation verifying they have completed the required 4 hours of opioids education through their PALS profile within 12 months of the initial license being issued. If you locate the “Activities” section of the PALS profile, you can click the blue plus sign next to the application number to view the application checklist and guidance for uploading documents to the Boards.  
  • Renewing licensees attest through the license renewal process that they have completed the required 2 hours of opioids education by answering specific questions related to CME requirements. Renewing licensees do not routinely upload any documentation at the time of renewal; the licensee will receive a discrepancy notice from PALS if documentation is required or clarification is needed related to the education requirements or any other information.    


3

If you are thinking of switching your license from Active to Active Retired

There is a question on the application that will allow you to make that switch. If you answer YES to this question, the license renewal will be held until the expiration date, at which time, the license will automatically renew to the new Active Retired status.

For Active Retired status to take effect immediately, file a change of status request first. Once processed and the license is updated, then submit the renewal application.


4

Review PAMED’s Licensure Resource Center

Thinking of changing your license status or have questions about what you need to do to maintain your license? Check out our member resource center at www.pamedsoc.org/licensure.


6

October for DOs

  • DOs must renew their license by October 31.
  • You will receive an email once the renewal application is available for you to complete online.
    • Log in to your PALS account. Need help accessing your account?
      Go to: www.pals.pa.gov or phone 717-783-1400
    • Make any updates, address, phone, email
    • Complete the renewal application
    • PALS will notify you if supporting documentation is needed for answers
    • You cannot change answers after submitting your application so please read each question carefully before responding. Incorrect answers can cause delay in processing the renewal application.
    • There will be a renewal fee.


5

December for MDs

  • MDs must renew their license by December 31.
  • You will receive an email once the renewal application is available for you to complete online.
  • The PALS team and PAMED’s staff will honor holiday hours. Please reach out well before the deadline with any questions!
    • Log in to your PALS account. Need help accessing your account?
      Go to: www.pals.pa.gov or phone 717-783-1400
    • Make any updates, address, phone, email
    • Complete the renewal application
    • PALS will notify you if supporting documentation is needed for answers
    • You cannot change answers after submitting your application so please read each question carefully before responding. Incorrect answers can cause delay in processing the renewal application.
    • There will be a renewal fee.


How can PAMED help?
 

All of your licensure questions are answered in our Licensure Resource Center!

Visit Licensure Resource Center

Still have questions? PAMED has a team that knows license renewal inside and out.

Connect With Us

Take state required CME plus many more options to fulfill your CME requirements before you need to renew.

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