Quick facts
- Board Name
- Virginia Board of Medicine
- Renewal Cycle
- Biennial
- CE Period
- Every 2 years
- Rule Citation
- 18VAC85-50-56 (Renewal of License — Physician Assistants)
- Hour Requirement
- PAs with an active license who are also currently certified by the NCCPA shall not be required to meet the CME requirements. PAs with an active license who are not currently certified by the NCCPA must complete 100 hours of CME per biennium, with at least 60 of those being Type 1 and no more than 40 being Type 2.
- State-Mandated Topics
- 2 hours of controlled substances
- Records Retention
- Not specified, recommend retaining for at least two renewal cycles.
Governing authority and what the rule requires
The Virginia Board of Medicine is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating physician assistants in Virginia. The Board's authority is established in the Medical Practice Act of Virginia, Chapter 29 of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia. The specific rules governing physician assistant licensure and continuing education are found in Chapter 50 of Title 18 of the Virginia Administrative Code (18VAC85-50).
How Virginia 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. The continuing education requirements for physician assistants are outlined in 18VAC85-50-70 of the Virginia Administrative Code.
- The Virginia Board of 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 Virginia.
- A personal CME log or spreadsheet tracking course dates, titles, providers, hours, and category designations.
Virginia-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, Virginia requires specific subject-matter CE within the cycle. Make sure each mandated topic is covered by a certificate that names the topic explicitly.
- 2 hours of training in controlled substances every renewal cycle.
- PAs who maintain NCCPA certification are deemed compliant with CME requirements, except for the controlled substances mandate.
- For PAs not holding NCCPA certification: 60 hours of Type 1 CME and 40 hours of Type 2 CME every two years.
Common pitfalls PAs run into
- Failure to complete the 2-hour controlled substances course.
- Assuming NCCPA certification exempts from all state requirements.
- Inaccurate documentation of CME activities.
- Not responding to a board audit request in a timely manner.
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
- A physician assistant who fails to comply with the continuing education requirements may be subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Medicine, which could include a monetary penalty, additional continuing education requirements, or suspension or revocation of the license. The specific actions are outlined in the Medical Practice Act of Virginia.
- The board may grant an extension for good cause shown, or a waiver for a physician assistant who holds an inactive license or qualifies for an exemption for disability, military service, or other reasons as specified in the regulations.
- Upon request, a licensee must provide documentation of compliance with the continuing education requirements.
- Failure to maintain records of continuing education is also a violation of the regulations and may result in disciplinary action.
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.
Save $106 on MedBridge CEU plans
Continuing education is part of protecting your license. BoardWise has partnered with MedBridge to help physician assistants access high-quality CEU courses at a lower cost. Use code BOARDWISE to save $106 on an individual MedBridge CEU plan.
Explore MedBridge CEU coursesMedBridge is a separate service. BoardWise may receive a referral benefit. The discount code is subject to MedBridge terms.
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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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.