Quick facts
- Board Name
- Maryland Board of Physicians
- Renewal Cycle
- Biennial (every 2 years)
- CE Period
- Biennial, ending June 30 of the renewal year
- Rule Citation
- COMAR 10.32.03.09 (Physician Assistant Renewal & Continuing Education)
- Hour Requirement
- Maryland defers to the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) for its general CME requirements. PAs must maintain NCCPA certification, which requires 100 CME hours every two years (at least 50 must be Category 1 CME). Additionally, Maryland mandates a 2-hour course on controlled dangerous substances.
- State-Mandated Topics
- Prescribing and Monitoring of Controlled Dangerous Substances (2 hours)
- Records Retention
- 4 years
Governing authority and what the rule requires
Physician assistants in Maryland are regulated by the Maryland Board of Physicians. The Board's authority stems from the Maryland Physician Assistant Act, codified in the Health Occupations Article, §15-101 et seq. Specific rules governing PA licensure and continuing education are detailed in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) under Title 10, Subtitle 32, Chapter 03.
How Maryland PA CE audits typically work
After a renewal cycle the board reviews a sample of attestations. If selected, you will receive a notice through the email or address on file with a defined response window. Most audits close quietly when records match what was attested. Continuing education requirements for Maryland physician assistants are established in COMAR 10.32.03.09.
- The Maryland Board of Physicians randomly selects a percentage of licensees for a CE audit each cycle.
- If selected, you will receive a notification letter from the board, typically by mail or secure email.
- The notice will specify the compliance period being audited.
- You are generally given 30 days from the date of the notice to submit copies of your CE documentation.
- Board staff reviews your submitted certificates to ensure they match the hour requirement and include all mandated topics.
- You will receive a final letter from the board indicating whether you successfully met the audit requirements or if further action is needed.
Documentation commonly requested
Audit notices are usually specific about what they want. Read the notice slowly and make a checklist directly from it. The most common items requested for PAs include:
- Copies of certificates of completion for each CME course taken.
- NCCPA certification maintenance transcript or CME log when applicable.
- Each certificate should clearly show the course provider, title, date(s) of attendance, number of credit hours awarded, AAFP/AMA PRA Category, and your name.
- Proof of completion for any state-mandated topics (opioid prescribing, suicide prevention, implicit bias, etc.) as required by Maryland.
- A personal CME log or spreadsheet tracking course dates, titles, providers, hours, and category designations.
Maryland-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, Maryland requires specific subject-matter CE within the cycle. Make sure each mandated topic is covered by a certificate that names the topic explicitly.
- **NCCPA Certification Maintenance:** PAs must maintain active certification with the NCCPA. This involves earning 100 CME hours every two years, with a minimum of 50 hours being Category 1 CME. The remaining 50 hours can be Category 1 or Category 2.
- **Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS):** All PAs renewing their license must complete a 2-hour Board-approved course on the prescribing and monitoring of controlled dangerous substances.
- **Implicit Bias Training:** Beginning April 1, 2022, all licensees must complete an implicit bias training program upon first license renewal. This is a one-time requirement.
Common pitfalls PAs run into
- Failing to complete the Maryland-specific 2-hour controlled dangerous substances course, even if NCCPA requirements are met.
- Forgetting to complete the one-time implicit bias training requirement during the first renewal cycle after April 1, 2022.
- Assuming that meeting NCCPA requirements automatically fulfills all state mandates.
- Not retaining CME certificates for a sufficient period to produce in an audit.
How to assemble a clean response
Gather your records in one place. A folder on your desktop, a printed binder, or a shared drive all work. You don't need a complicated system. You just need to be able to find things.
Name each PDF clearly with the date, course title, hours, and Category 1 or 2 designation. Group certificates by category that maps to the board's request: mandated topics, Category 1 CME, Category 2 CME. Add a one-page cover sheet that summarizes total hours and points the reviewer to the matching documents.
If your hours fall short
First-time shortfalls are usually handled administratively. Boards generally allow a defined window to complete makeup hours and submit updated documentation. Honest, prompt communication is far better than silence.
If the shortfall is significant or repeated, the board may move toward formal action. At that point, calm documentation of how you are coming into compliance, plus a written plan to prevent recurrence, makes a meaningful difference.
Possible outcomes
- Failure to comply with CE requirements can be deemed unprofessional conduct under the Maryland Physician Assistant Act.
- The Board may refuse to renew a license until the requirements are met, as outlined in COMAR 10.32.03.09.
- Disciplinary action could include fines, probation, or other sanctions determined by the Board based on the authority granted in the Health Occupations Article, §15-314.
- Incomplete or fraudulent reporting of CE may lead to disciplinary action against the PA's license.
A simple audit-response checklist
- 1Read the audit notice slowly. Note the deadline and exact list of documents requested.
- 2Make a simple folder labeled with the cycle dates being audited.
- 3Pull certificates of completion for every CE activity in that cycle.
- 4Match each certificate to the topic area or category your board requires.
- 5Save proof of license renewal and any required attestations.
- 6If a certificate is missing, contact the provider for a duplicate before the deadline.
- 7Scan everything as clean PDFs, named with date and course title.
- 8Submit through the channel the board requests. Keep a copy and a confirmation.
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Frequently asked questions
Real Outcomes Reported by BoardWise Users
BoardWise users have reported outcomes including:
- Complaint dismissals
- Successful responses to board inquiries
- Passing continuing education audits
- Early probation termination
- Improved understanding of licensing board procedures
Individual outcomes vary and depend on the facts of each case.
Optional Attorney Document Review
Before you send anything to the board, BoardWise can match physician assistant in Maryland with an independent, state-licensed attorney for an optional limited-scope review of the document you prepared:
- We match you with an independent attorney licensed in your state
- They review and suggest revisions to your document before you submit it to the board
- Focused, limited-scope review at a fixed fee rather than a full retainer
- A second set of eyes on wording, tone, and anything that may need a closer look
What does the attorney review cost? Pricing depends on the complexity of your matter and the scope of review, but most BoardWise lawyer reviews are approximately $250–$500. You’ll see the specific fee before deciding whether to proceed.
Optional limited-scope attorney review may be available for an additional fixed fee. Attorney availability, conflicts review, eligibility requirements, and additional terms apply. If an attorney accepts the matter, the client will contract with and pay the independent attorney directly.
Print & FedEx Overnight Delivery
Finishing the document is only part of the job. BoardWise Document Delivery lets physician assistant in Maryland send the finished packet straight to the board without a trip to the post office:
- FedEx Overnight delivery for street addresses when your deadline is close
- USPS Priority Express and USPS Certified Mail for P.O. Box board addresses
- Printing, packaging, and postage handled for you, with tracking on every order
- Confirmation and tracking details emailed to you as your package moves
What does it cost? $150 for FedEx Overnight and $99 for USPS Priority Express or Certified Mail. You see the exact price and the full address details before you authorize the order.
Printing and mailing are fulfilled by Mailform. You are responsible for meeting your own deadline, so keep an electronic copy and watch the tracking information.
What Professionals Are Saying
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BoardWise is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. This guide is educational only and reflects general practice in the United States. Your state licensing board is the official source for current requirements. If your situation involves formal discipline or a hearing, consider consulting a licensed attorney in your state.