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Pennsylvania medical license renewal
Pennsylvania MD licenses expire December 31 and DO licenses October 31, both in even-numbered years, and renewal is online only. Miss the deadline and you must apply to reactivate. Here are the dates, fees and steps, from both boards' own pages and renewal guides.
At a glance
| Item | Pennsylvania (MD and DO) |
|---|---|
| Renews | Every 2 years. MD: December 31 of even years. DO: October 31 of even years (next October 31, 2026). |
| Renewal window opens | Renewal opens 60 days before expiration, with an email from PALS. |
| Renewal fee | DO $450. MD: confirm the fee in PALS (the 2026 Compact renewal guide lists $360 plus the $25 Commission fee for Compact renewals). |
| Where to renew | PALS |
| CME | 100 / 2 years (20 Category 1). Full Pennsylvania CME rules |
| CME reporting | Attest at renewal; certificates are requested only if you are audited after the renewal period. |
| Late or expired | If you do not renew before the deadline, the license expires and you must submit a reactivation application. |
Checked against the board’s own pages on October 28, 2026. Fees and windows change; confirm on the board’s site before you pay.
How to renew, step by step
- Complete 100 hours for the cycle: 20 Category 1 (AMA for MD, AOA 1-A for DO) and 12 in patient safety or risk management, plus the required topics. The MD CME period runs January 1 of the odd year to December 31 of the even year; the DO period runs November 1 to October 31. See Pennsylvania CME requirements.
- Make sure your 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting training were reported by the course provider.
- If you prescribe or dispense controlled substances, complete 2 hours of opioid education.
- Sign in to PALS once renewal opens 60 days before expiration; there are no paper renewals.
- Attest to your CME and, if you practice in Pennsylvania, professional liability coverage, then pay.
What renewal asks for besides CME
- Child abuse recognition and reporting training (Act 31), 2 hours, reported by the course provider.
- Opioid education (Act 124), 2 hours, if you prescribe or dispense controlled substances.
- Organ and tissue donation education, 2 hours, once within 5 years of initial licensure or of license renewal, whichever comes first (effective May 1, 2026).
- Professional liability insurance if actively practicing in Pennsylvania ($1 million per occurrence, $3 million aggregate).
Licenses from the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
Compact-issued Pennsylvania licenses renew in two steps, in order: the Pennsylvania renewal in PALS, then the Compact renewal on the IMLC Commission's site, where the state fee and the $25 Commission fee are paid. Renewing in PALS without the Compact step renews the license without Compact status. Miss both and the license expires and must be reactivated.
Common questions
When does a Pennsylvania medical license expire?
MD licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years. DO licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years.
Can I renew my Pennsylvania license on paper?
No. Renewal is online only, in PALS, starting 60 days before expiration.
How many CME hours does Pennsylvania require?
100 hours per 2-year cycle, including 20 Category 1 hours and 12 in patient safety or risk management, plus child abuse, opioid and organ donation education.
What happens if my Pennsylvania license expires?
You must submit a reactivation application before you can practice again.
Never miss a Pennsylvania renewal
The Interstate Medicine Ledger tracks your Pennsylvania license, DEA and other registrations, and counts every CME certificate against Pennsylvania’s rules and every other state you hold. $60 a year ($5 a month), 30 days free.
Related: Pennsylvania CME requirements · License renewal beyond CME, by state · DEA registration renewal · State controlled-substance registration
Sources
Educational information for physicians (MD and DO), not legal advice. Interstate Medicine is not affiliated with the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine and State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission or any licensing board.