Pennsylvania has a two-year licensure cycle. The current cycle runs from November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2026. All licensees under the PA State Board of Osteopathic Medicine are required to renew their license by October 31, 2026. This includes all unrestricted and active-retired DO licensees plus other health care professionals licensed under the SBOM.  

What to Expect:
When the renewal period opens, all licensees will be sent an email from the Commonwealth indicating the renewal application is open. The email will direct you to the PALS website to complete the renewal process. On average, the SBOM reports renewal licenses are issued within three calendar days.

The PA Department of State has published the Osteopathic Medicine Licensure Guide to provide transparency, inform applicants of expected timeframes for receiving your license, and outline steps you can take to reduce mistakes and mitigate delays. Osteopathic physicians, osteopathic graduate medical trainees and physician assistants under the direction and supervision of an osteopathic physician should reference the guide for additional information.

CME Requirements:
Every licensee is required to earn CME credits to renew their license. Credits must be earned between Nov. 1, 2024 and Oct. 31, 2026.

Unrestricted License Renewal
  - A minimum of 100 CME credits;
  - At least 20 Category 1-A AOA CME credits obtained by an accredited AOA CME sponsor such as POMA;
  - At least 12 patient safety/risk management credits (Category 1 or Category 2);
  - 2 hours of board-approved education in mandated child abuse recognition and reporting (Category 1 or Category 2). Verification of completion must be sent electronically and directly from the course provider. Completion of this requirement can be seen in the licensee's PALS record;
  - At least 2 hours of continuing education in pain management, the identification of addiction, or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids (Category 1 or Category 2).

Active/Retired License Renewal
  - 2 hours of board-approved education in mandated child abuse recognition and reporting (Category 1 or Category 2). Verification of completion must be sent electronically and directly from the course provider. Completion of this requirement can be seen in the licensee's PALS record.
  - If the licensee has a current DEA registration or uses another person or entity's DEA registration to prescribe any controlled substances, they require at least 2 hours of board-approved continuing education in pain management, the identification of addiction, or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids (Category 1 or Category 2).

POMA is Here for You!
POMA is a valuable resource for osteopathic physicians to assist in CME credit tracking and as a provider of affordable, high-quality osteopathic CME.

See how many credits you have earned within the cycle! POMA tracks AOA credits, patient safety credits, opioid credits, mandated reporter credits and all other credit types so you know exactly where you stand for license renewal. Take advantage of this valuable member benefit by logging into the POMA website to check your CME record!

Need just a few credits? Click below to check out the POMA DOes podcast series!

POMA is the best resource for high-quality, affordable osteopathic education. Click below to view our on-demand learning library! The CME Center is an online collaborative education center with the osteopathic state societies and Association of Osteopathic State Executive Directors.  On-demand programs, webinars and live educational opportunities that address a broad spectrum of topics are available for purchase. Visit www.thecmecenter.org to start earning 1-A credits online

Have Questions?
Contact POMA at (717) 939-9318, email [email protected].

Contact the SBOM at (717) 783-4858, email [email protected] or visit the SBOM website.