📅 2026 Renewal Year

Pennsylvania Medical License Renewal Checklist

It is a medical license renewal year! Everything Pennsylvania DOs and MDs need to renew their license in 2026 — CME requirements, deadlines, PALS guidance, and PAMED member resources, all in one place.

Become a PAMED member → Take CME now
CME Requirements

What you need to renew an active license

Both DOs and MDs need 100 total credit hours in a two-year renewal period. To renew a medical license a physician will need to meet the following CME requirements.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

DO License Renewal

📅 Deadline: October 31, 2026
  • 100 Total credit hours in a two-year license renewal period ending October 31.
  • 20 credits must be AOA Category 1-A.
  • 12 credits in patient safety or risk management (either Category 1 or 2).
  • 2 credits in PA DHS-approved child abuse recognition & reporting (either Category 1 or 2). 
  • 2 credits in pain management, identification of addiction, or the practices of prescribing of opioids (either Category 1 or Category 2).
Doctor of Medicine

MD License Renewal

📅 Deadline: December 31, 2026
  • 100 Total credit hours in a two-year license renewal period ending December 31.
  • 20 credits must be AMA PRA Category 1.
  • 12 credits in patient safety or risk management (either Category 1 or 2).
  • 2 credits in PA DHS-approved child abuse recognition & reporting (either Category 1 or Category 2).
  • 2 credits in pain management, identification of addiction, or the practices of prescribing of opioids (either Category 1 or Category 2).

See PAMED's Education Requirements for Licensure FAQ for more information.

Are You Ready? PAMED Can Help.

Begin preparing now!

Many things can delay your license renewal. Before the rush at year's end, work through this checklist so renewal is a non-event.

1

Login to PALS

The state's licensing system — www.pals.pa.gov — opens approximately 60 days prior to the  deadline. Confirm you can access it and that your email on file is correct. DO license renewal opens in September; MD license renewal opens in November. Login to PALS NOW to verify system access and ensure your preferred email address is on file with them for future communications.

2

Check your CME totals (for active licenses)

Verify each requirement before you start the application:

  • 100 total credit hours
  • 12 credits in patient safety or risk management
  • 2 credit hours in pain management, identification of addiction, or the prescribing of opioids
  • 2 credits in PA state-approved child abuse recognition and reporting

Missing anything? Take the courses now at www.pamedsoc.org/CME.

Opioid CME exception 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
3

Child abuse CME — auto-reported by PAMED

If you complete the child abuse reporting CME on PAMED's website, it is automatically reported to the state for you.

✅ Automatically Reported It's not immediate— leave plenty of time for your completion record to be uploaded to the state.
4

Opioid CME — you must self-report

PAMED is a course vendor for opioid education, but is not permitted to report opioid training to the licensing boards.

🛑 Self-attestation required Initial applicants: upload documentation of 4 hours of opioids education through your 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 to completing the required 2 hours of opioids education by answering CME questions during the renewal application. Renewing licensees do not routinely upload any documentation at the time of renewal; PALS will issue a discrepancy notice if documentation is needed.
5

Switching from Active to Active Retired?

The renewal application includes a question that lets you make the 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.

Need it to take effect immediately? File a change of status request first. Once it's processed and updated, then submit your license renewal application.
6

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.

7

DOs: What to do in October

📅 Must Renew by October 31, 2026

You will receive an email (typically in September) once the renewal application is available for you to complete online.

  1. Log in to your PALS account. Need help? Call 717-783-1400
    www.pals.pa.gov
  2. Update address, phone, and email if needed
  3. Complete the renewal application
  4. Upload supporting documentation (PALS will notify you if supporting documentation is needed)
  5. Pay the renewal fee
⚠️ You cannot change answers after submitting your application Read each question carefully — incorrect answers can delay processing the renewal application.
7

MDs: What to do in December

📅 Must Renew by December 31, 2026

You will receive an email (typically in November) once the renewal application is available for you to complete online.

  1. Log in to your PALS account. Need help? Call 717-783-1400
    www.pals.pa.gov
  2. Update address, phone, and email if needed
  3. Complete the renewal application
  4. Upload supporting documentation (PALS will notify you if supporting documentation is needed)
  5. Pay the renewal fee
⚠️ You cannot change answers after submitting your application Read each question carefully — incorrect answers can delay processing the renewal application.
🛑 Holiday Hours NOTE: both the PALS team and PAMED staff will observe holiday hours, so assistance may be unavailable near the deadline. Please reach out well before Dec. 31 with any questions!

Questions about PALS? See PAMED's Education Requirements for Licensure FAQ for more information.

Member Resources

Everything physicians need — in one membership

PAMED members get unlimited access to CME, expert support, advocacy, and a statewide community working to improve medicine in Pennsylvania.

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CME Library

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

Browse courses →
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Licensure Resource Center

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

Open center →
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Child Abuse Reporting 

Child abuse CME taken with PAMED is automatically reported to the state for you. One less thing on your list.

Take CME →
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Your License Renewal Experts

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

Contact us →
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Opioid Education Requirements

PAMED’s opioid education offerings meet both the 2‑hour renewal requirement and the 3‑hour opioid education requirement, satisfying licensure requirements for Pennsylvania physicians.

Take CME →
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Patient Safety/Risk Management

PAMED delivers comprehensive patient safety and risk management education, providing at least 12 approved CME credits.

Take CME →
Join PAMED

Everything You Need, All in One Membership

PAMED membership gives you the tools, CME, and expert guidance you need to meet requirements, simplify licensure, and thrive in today’s evolving practice environment

Become a PAMED member → Take CME now
  • Free, required CME + robust learning library – earn, track, and meet Pennsylvania requirements without the scramble
  • Licensure made easier – step-by-step guidance, FAQs, and renewal resources all in one place
  • Powerful physician advocacy – your voice represented at the state level on the issues that impact your practice
  • Practice support that actually helps – compliance, reimbursement, and operational resources when you need them
  • Member savings & exclusive tools – discounts, career resources, and leadership development opportunities