Navigating AMA Continuing Medical Education (CME) Requirements
Continuing Medical Education (CME) is a crucial aspect of maintaining competence and staying updated with the latest advancements in the medical field. For physician assistants (PAs) and physicians alike, understanding and fulfilling CME requirements is essential for certification and licensure. This article delves into the specifics of CME requirements, focusing on the American Medical Association (AMA) guidelines and those set forth by organizations like the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
CME Requirements for Physician Assistants (PAs)
The NCCPA mandates that certified PAs complete a certain number of CME credits within a specific timeframe to maintain their certification. During each two-year cycle, PAs must earn and log at least 100 CME credits, including a minimum of 50 Category 1 CME credits.
Category 1 CME Credits
Category 1 CME credits are those that have been reviewed and deemed to meet criteria established by organizations that serve as sponsors or accreditors of CME activities. Within Category 1, there are two specific types: self-assessment CME and PI-CME (Performance Improvement CME).
Self-Assessment CME
Self-assessment involves a systematic review of one’s own performance, knowledge base, or skill set to improve future performance, expand knowledge, or hone skills. Self-Assessment CME is intended primarily to address PA competencies related to knowledge, patient care, and practice-based learning and improvement. The NCCPA recognizes the value of these interactive types of CME, awarding 50% additional credit for all activities designated for self-assessment Category 1 CME credit. For instance, a self-assessment activity worth 10 credits will be converted to 15 credits by NCCPA.
PI-CME
PI-CME represents a systematic approach to planning, implementing, and assessing quality improvement in the clinical practice setting. It is intended primarily to address the competencies of practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based practice. Many employer-sponsored quality improvement activities now qualify for PI-CME credit.
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CME Earning and Logging Window
The CME earning and logging window for PAs begins on May 1 of the year their current certification was issued and continues through December 31 of the certification expiration year.
Documentation and Audits
Newly certified PAs should retain their Category 1 CME documentation for their current CME cycle and their last CME cycle. For example, if a PA is currently on a 2018-2020 CME cycle, they would need to keep that documentation and the 2016-2018 CME cycle documentation. It's important to note that NCCPA does not audit Category 2 CME. PAs selected for auditing are required to submit appropriate documentation to support their Category I credits. In the second audit, PAs are required to submit appropriate documentation as they log their Category 1 credits. Failure to pass an audit may result in loss of certification, according to NCCPA’s Policies and Procedures for PA Disciplinary Matters.
Certification Programs
These activities include certification and recertification programs that are preapproved (sponsored) by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) for a maximum number of Category 1 credits regardless of who presents the programs or where they are presented. Completion of any program is necessary to log the credits toward the CME requirement.
AMA Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credit System
The AMA provides information, resources, and guidance about the AMA continuing medical education (CME) credit system for CME providers. The AMA also has a process for developing agreements with national or international physician CME credit systems.
Recent Changes and Alignments
The AMA Council on Medical Education approved an alignment and simplification of CME requirements after receiving input from the CME community. Key points of these changes include:
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- Alignment of AMA core requirements and ACCME accreditation requirements.
- Simplification and reduction of learning format requirements to provide more flexibility for accredited CME providers.
- Allowing CME providers to design and deliver certified activities that use blended or new approaches to drive meaningful learning and change.
- Enabling CME providers to designate an activity format as “other” if it does not fall into one of the established format categories.
Physicians may now claim up to four credits per each hour of presentation for eligible activities taking place on or after Jan. 1, 2023. The previous ratio was 2:1. Credit calculation for other types of faculty credit has not changed.
Resources Provided by AMA
The AMA offers several resources to help navigate the CME credit system, including:
- AMA/ACCME Glossary of Terms and Definitions
- AMA Physician’s Recognition Award and credit system booklet
- AMA-ACCME alignment and simplification FAQs
- Results from AMA Call for Comment on AMA-ACCME Alignment and Simplification
State-Specific CME Requirements
In addition to national requirements set by organizations like the NCCPA and AMA, state medical boards may also have specific CME requirements for physicians.
Texas Medical Board Requirements
For example, in Texas, Senate Bill 31, also known as “The Life of the Mother Act,” mandates that physician applicants and licensees who provide obstetric care complete a one-time, mandatory continuing education (CE) course on pregnancy-related medical emergencies. This course is accessible through MyTMB, and a certificate of completion is available for download upon completion. Furthermore, per Texas Occupations Code 156.57, a physician who performs forensic examinations on sexual assault survivors must have basic forensic evidence collection training or the equivalent education whose practice includes treating patients in an emergency room setting may complete two hours of continuing medical education relating to forensic evidence.
Additional CME Resources
Various organizations offer resources and tools to help physicians and PAs find and track relevant CME activities.
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CME Explorer
The CME Explorer is an online catalog where numerous CME providers contribute learning activities. Physicians can earn up to 60 credits per year for those completed in or after 2013 using this tool.
CME Passport
The ABA-certified patient safety credits can be found through CME Passport. Every 10 years, diplomates are required to have 20 ABA-approved patient safety CME credits. Beginning in 2026, credits are reported on a quarterly basis and will be reflected in your ASA transcript and ABA GO portal.
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