OBJECTIVE： To optimize the extraction technology of phenolic acids from Cimicifugae foetidae. METHODS： Based on single factor test， the extraction technology of phenolic acids from C. foetidae was optimized by response surface methodology based on Box-Behnken design using ethanol volume fraction， reflux extraction time and liquid to solid ratio as independent variables， comprehensive score of the content of caffeic acid， ferulic acid and isoferulic and extract yield as dependent variable. RESULTS： The optimal extraction technology was as follows as 8-fold 70％ ethanol， extracting for 2 times， 200 min each time. Results of validation test indicated that the difference between predicted value of comprehensive score indicators and measured value was 2.20％. CONCLUSIONS： The optimal extraction technology is simple， stable and feasible， and can provide reference for following production of C. foetidae preparation.