Quick facts
- Board Name
- New York State Board for Medicine
- Renewal Cycle
- Biennial (every 2 years)
- CE Period
- Biennial, চলমান with license renewal
- Rule Citation
- N.Y. Education Law §6542; N.Y. Public Health Law §3309-a(3)
- Hour Requirement
- New York does not impose a recurring CME hour requirement for PA registration. PAs must complete one-time coursework in child-abuse identification and infection control (and renew triennial registration).
- State-Mandated Topics
- One-time: child abuse identification and reporting; infection control and barrier precautions. Some prescribers must complete additional one-time pain management/opioid coursework.
- Records Retention
- 6 years
Governing authority and what the rule requires
Physician assistants in New York are licensed and regulated by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of the Professions, under the authority of the Board of Regents and the State Board for Medicine. The practice of PAs is defined in Article 131-B of New York's Education Law. Continuing education and registration requirements are outlined in Title 8, Part 60 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.
How New York 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. New York Education Law §6542 explicitly requires physician assistants to maintain certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) to reregister with the department.
- The New York State Board for Medicine 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 New York.
- A personal CME log or spreadsheet tracking course dates, titles, providers, hours, and category designations.
New York-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, New York requires specific subject-matter CE within the cycle. Make sure each mandated topic is covered by a certificate that names the topic explicitly.
- Maintain current NCCPA certification, which includes completing 100 CME hours (at least 50 Category 1) every two years.
- Completion of a New York State-approved infection control coursework every four years.
- One-time completion of a two-hour, New York State-approved course on the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment.
- For PAs with a DEA registration: Completion of at least three hours of coursework on pain management, palliative care, and addiction every three years, consistent with N.Y. Public Health Law §3309-a(3).
Common pitfalls PAs run into
- Failing to complete the separate, New York-mandated courses on Infection Control, Child Abuse Reporting, and Pain Management, assuming NCCPA certification alone is sufficient.
- Not maintaining readily available documentation of completion for the state-mandated courses.
- Letting NCCPA certification lapse before the license renewal date. New York requires the certification to be current at the time of reregistration.
- Not completing the pain management course if you have a DEA number.
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 demonstrate compliance with an audit may be considered professional misconduct under N.Y. Education Law §6509. The Board for Professional Medical Conduct may investigate and take disciplinary action, which can include censure and reprimand, fines, or suspension, revocation, or annulment of a license. Failure to complete the mandatory trainings will result in a non-renewal of the license registration until the requirements are met.
- If deficiencies are found, a licensee may be given a period of time to correct them by completing the required coursework, though penalties are still possible.
- Failing to complete the separate, New York-mandated courses on Infection Control, Child Abuse Reporting, and Pain Management, assuming NCCPA certification alone is sufficient.
- Not maintaining readily available documentation of completion for the state-mandated courses.
- Letting NCCPA certification lapse before the license renewal date. New York requires the certification to be current at the time of reregistration.
- Not completing the pain management course if you have a DEA number.
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 New York 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 New York 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.