CME Frequently Asked Questions

The “currency” assigned to CME activities. Physicians and other healthcare professionals use credits to meet requirements for maintenance of licensure, maintenance of specialty board certification, credentialing, membership in professional societies, and other professional privileges. The requirements for credit designation are determined by the organization responsible for the credit system. Besides the AMA, other organizations in the US that administer credit systems for physicians include the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association. Please refer to those organizations for more information. See AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM and AMA PRA Category 2 Credit^TM above.

CME (Continuing Medical Education) credit is a way for healthcare professionals to maintain and enhance their knowledge and skills throughout their career. The requirements for earning CME credit may vary depending on your profession and location, but in general, here are the steps you can take to earn CME credit:

1. 1. Identify accredited CME providers: Look for CME providers that are accredited by an authorized accrediting body, such as the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) in the United States.
   2. Attend CME activities: Participate in CME activities, which can be in-person or online. Examples of CME activities include conferences, workshops, webinars, online courses, and journal articles.
   3. Meet the requirements: Make sure to meet the requirements for the CME activity you're attending, which may include completing a pre-test, attending the entire activity, completing a post-test, and filling out an evaluation form.
   4. Claim your credit: After completing the CME activity, claim your credit by filling out a CME certificate or claiming your credit online through the accredited provider.
   5. Keep track of your credits: Keep a record of your CME credits to ensure that you meet the requirements for maintaining your professional license or certification.

It's important to note that the requirements for earning CME credit may differ depending on your profession and location. Be sure to check with your professional organization or licensing board for specific requirements.

Continuing Medical Education (CME) refers to the ongoing education and training that healthcare professionals must undertake to maintain their professional competency and keep up with the latest advances in their field.

Continuing medical education is important because it helps healthcare professionals stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in their field, improve patient care, and maintain their professional licenses and certifications.

The number of CME credits required to maintain a medical license varies by state and specialty. You should check with your state medical board or professional organization for specific requirements.

The different types of CME programs include live conferences, online courses, webinars, journal articles, and self-assessment modules.

Yes, attending a medical conference can earn you CME credits, but the amount of credits you can earn depends on the duration and content of the conference.

You can find CME courses that are relevant to your specialty by searching online directories or consulting with your professional organization.

Yes, many medical organizations offer CME credits for research or teaching activities.

The frequency of CME requirements varies by state and specialty. You should check with your state medical board or professional organization for specific requirements.

Category 1 CME credits are those that are approved by accredited organizations and are relevant to your specialty. Category 2 CME credits are self-directed learning activities that may or may not be relevant to your specialty.

Yes, many medical organizations offer CME credits for volunteer work that is relevant to your specialty.

Failing to complete the required CME credits can result in disciplinary action, including the suspension or revocation of your license or certification.

All licensed healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists, are required to complete a certain number of CME hours each year to maintain their licenses.

The number of CME credits required varies by profession and by state. For example, physicians in the United States typically need to complete between 50-100 CME hours per year, depending on their specialty and state regulations.

Activities that count towards CME credit include attending conferences, completing online courses, participating in journal clubs, and conducting research or quality improvement projects.

Yes, attending a conference can earn you CME credits, as long as it is an accredited event and you complete the required documentation.

You can search for CME activities through professional organizations, online databases, and your state medical board. It is important to choose activities that are relevant to your practice and meet your professional development goals.

You should keep track of your CME activities and document your credits on a CME log or online portal provided by your professional organization or state licensing board.

CME activities can help healthcare providers stay up-to-date with the latest advances and best practices in their field, improve patient outcomes, and enhance their professional competence and performance.

CME activities can include attending conferences, participating in online courses, reading medical literature, and engaging in practice-based learning and improvement activities.

Healthcare providers can typically report their CME credits through their professional association or licensing board's website, or by submitting a paper form.

Yes, many professional associations and licensing boards allow healthcare providers to earn CME credits for teaching or presenting at medical conferences or other educational events.