Why are CME providers accredited?

CME providers are accredited to assure physicians and the public that CME activities meet accepted standards of education.

Who accredits CME providers?

The Accrediting Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) has been in existence since 1981, and is an independent accreditation body for institutions and organizations that sponsor CME for physicians. The purpose of the ACCME is "the identification, development, and promotion of standards for quality CME utilized by physicians in their maintenance of competence and incorporation of new knowledge, in order to improve quality medical care for patients and their communities."

There are seven member organizations of the ACCME:

1. American Board of Medical Specialties;
2. American Hospital Association;
3. American Medical Association;
4. Association of American Medical Colleges;
5. Association for Hospital Medical Education;
6. Council for Medical Specialty Societies; and
7. Federation of State Medical Boards of the U.S.

For more information on the ACCME, visit their website: www.accme.org.

Who receives accreditation?

Accreditation is granted on the basis of the sponsor's demonstrated ability to plan and implement CME activities in accordance with the accrediting body's standards.

How do I know if a CME activity is given by an accredited sponsor?

Not all quizzes are accredited. Each course states if it is accredited and, if so, by which accrediting body.

The Accrediting Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) requires accredited sponsors to state, in very specific terms, the source of their accreditation either from the ACCME itself or from a recognized state accreditor. This statement is usually included in the promotional materials and on the activity materials. In addition, look for the credit designation statement on promotional and activity materials. This most common credit designation is the American Medical Association's Physician's Recognition Award (AMA-PRA) category 1 credit. For more information on AMA PRA and category 1 credit, visit the AMA's website at www.ama-assn.org or call the AMA's Office of Physician Credentials and Qualifications at 312-464-4665.