CME Requirements for Pathology
The field of pathology is changing quickly with advances in digital services, AI diagnostics, and personalized medicine. To stay current on the latest diagnostic standards and technologies, physicians are required to complete continuing medical education (CME) and participate in ongoing professional development as part of the requirements set forth by the American Board of Pathology (ABPath).
Participating in accredited CME activities helps pathologists maintain competence, improve patient care, and stay compliant with medical board standards. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about CME requirements for pathology and how Oakstone can help you stay compliant.
Understanding Pathology Certification and CME Requirements
The American Board of Pathology oversees initial certification and Continuing Certification (CC) for pathologists. To initially become a board-certified pathologist, physicians must graduate from an accredited medical school, complete a residency program, and pass the ABP’s board certification examination. Many also complete a subspecialty fellowship in an area like anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, or forensic pathology.
Once certified, pathologists are required to participate in ABPath’s Continuing Certification program to ensure they remain competent through lifelong learning and self-assessment. Through this program, pathologists must complete an annual attestation confirming that they are meeting ABPath’s Continuing Certification requirements, including maintaining professional standing, participating in lifelong learning, and engaging in practice improvement activities. During this period, they must complete 70 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ with at least 80% of the credits related to their practice. These credits are typically earned from ACCME-accredited providers, such as Oakstone or state medical societies.
Requirements for ABPath Continuing Certification
The ABPath Continuing Certification program requires pathologists to meet the following ongoing requirements:
- Professionalism and Professional Standing: Maintain a valid, unrestricted medical license to practice pathology in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (LLSA): Complete AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ every two years.
- Improvement in Medical Practice (IMP): Participate in quality improvement or practice assessment activities aimed at improving patient care.
- Assessment: Complete periodic assessments through ABPath’s CC Assessment platform to show up-to-date expertise.
Physicians must report CME activities within two-year cycles through ABPath’s online portal and complete annual attestation that confirms compliance with the program’s requirements. If you fail to meet the requirements, you may risk losing your certification status.
How Pathologists Can Earn CME Credits
Pathologists can earn CME credits through online courses, in-person events, journal-based activities, live webinars, point-of-care learning, and self-assessment modules (SAMs). These credits are divided into two categories:
- AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™: Formal, certified activities such as accredited conferences, webinars, online courses, or journal-based CME activities.
- AMA PRA Category 2 Credits™: Self-directed activities like teaching, publishing, or quality improvement projects that contribute to professional growth.
The ABPath requires physicians to complete 70 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ every two years. To fulfill these requirements, you can participate in performance improvement activities, case reviews, or interactive online modules provided by accredited organizations. You must document and report these activities for verification during each CC cycle.
Tracking and Reporting CME Credits
The American Board of Pathology requires CME credits to be reported through its online portal every two years. Many CME providers report credits directly to ACPath, eliminating the need for manual tracking. Pathologists should confirm that all AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are automatically reported and keep copies of certificates and credit logs for audit purposes. Using a CME provider like Oakstone, which tracks and stores records, makes it significantly easier to stay compliant with ABPath requirements.
How Oakstone Helps You Stay Compliant with CME Requirements
Oakstone offers a range of educational activities and services that keep pathologists compliant and on track with their CME credits. You can complete accredited courses and access journal-based activities to help meet your Continuing Certification requirements. Our tracking tools make it easy to document and retain your CME credits, saving you time when the reporting period arrives.
Explore our products today to discover how Oakstone helps you stay compliant with ABPath requirements.