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Pennsylvania Statutes Title 35 P.S. Health and Safety § 872.9a. Licensing boards to require education in pain management, addiction and prescribing and dispensing practices for opioids

Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided for in subsection (c), each licensing board shall require:

(1) Individuals applying for an initial license or certification issued by the licensing board, which license or certification authorizes the licensee or certificate holder to be a dispenser or prescriber, to submit, no later than 12 months after obtaining an initial license or certification, documentation acceptable to the licensing board of the completion of at least two hours of education in pain management or identification of addiction and at least two hours of education in the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids.  The education may occur as part of the individual's professional degree educational program or continuing education program.

(2) Dispensers and prescribers applying for the renewal of a license or certification to complete at least two hours of continuing education in pain management, identification of addiction or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids as a portion of the total continuing education required for biennial renewal.

(b) Consultation with department.--Each licensing board shall, in consultation with the department, approve the curricula for the pain management, identification of addiction and the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids education.

(c) Exception.--The requirement in subsection (a)(2) shall not apply to a prescriber who is exempt from the Drug Enforcement Administration's requirements for a registration number under 21 CFR Ch. II (relating to Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice) and applicable State law and does not use the registration number of another person or entity as permitted by law to prescribe controlled substances in any manner.

(d) Definition.--As used in this section, the term “licensing board” means a licensing board under the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in the Department of State with jurisdiction over professional licensees or certificate holders who are dispensers or prescribers.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 35 P.S. Health and Safety § 872.9a. Licensing boards to require education in pain management, addiction and prescribing and dispensing practices for opioids - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-35-ps-health-and-safety/pa-st-sect-35-872-9a/

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