FAQs

Below find answers to common questions about CME, AMA PRA credit, ACCME accreditation, direct providership, joint providership and CME activity requirements at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

If your question is not answered below, contact the CME Office at [email protected].

General CME Questions

What is CME?

Continuing Medical Education (CME) consists of educational activities, which serve to maintain, develop or increase the knowledge, skills or professional performance relationships that a physician uses to provide services for patients, the public or the profession. The content of CME is the body of knowledge and skills generally recognized and accepted by the profession as within the basic medical sciences, the discipline of clinical medicine and the provision of healthcare to the public.

What does AMA PRA stand for?

The American Medical Association (AMA) Physician’s Recognition Award (PRA) and the related credit system recognize physicians who demonstrate their commitment to staying current with advances in medicine by participating in certified CME activities. Established in 1968, the AMA PRA today stands as the most widely accepted award for recognizing physician CME achievement. AMA PRA credit is recognized by many state licensing boards, medical specialty boards, hospital credentialing bodies and other entities. The AMA PRA or AMA-approved application is currently accepted in many states as documentation for purposes of licensure reregistration.

What is the ACCME?

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) is the organization that sets the standards for the accreditation of all providers of CME activities. ACCME providers are dedicated to 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.

What is the difference between direct providership and joint providership?

A directly provided activity is one that is planned, implemented and evaluated by the accredited provider.  This includes co-provided activities (provided by two accredited providers) in this category if you are the accredited provider awarding the credit. For example, a CME activity provided by the College of Medicine – Phoenix is considered a directly provided activity since the College is the accredited provider.

A jointly provided activity is one that is planned, implemented and evaluated by the accredited provider and a non-accredited entity. For example, a CME activity provided by a professional organization is considered a jointly provided activity with the College as the accredited provider.

Learner Questions 

When will I receive my CME certificate?

After receiving credit, certificates will be displayed on the “Evaluations and Certificates” page for one to three months.  You can print or save any certificates before this time period ends.  

Note: All credits will be recorded on your CME transcript. This is available for downloading 24/7 in the "Transcripts" area of the portal. Credits earned do not disappear from transcripts.

What type of CME credit do physicians need?

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is the most common type of credit physicians need for maintenance of licensure. For an activity to be designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, it must be planned and implemented by an accredited CME provider.

What happens if I cannot attend a CME activity for the entire time?

It is the responsibility of the learner to claim the CME credit commensurate with their participation in a CME activity.

Who is eligible to receive AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™?

Only MDs and DOs can be awarded AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. 

Other learners who may be among the target audience for a CME activity will receive a Certificate of Participation indicating the activity was accredited for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. These learners will need to speak with their respective licensing board as to whether this credit is transferrable and, if so, the process.

Below are links that may be useful for potential non-physician participation:

American Association of Physician Assistants
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
Arizona Board of Nursing 
 

I am not a physician. Can I still receive CME credit?

Non-physician participants cannot be awarded CME credit but can still receive a Certificate of Participation indicating an activity was accredited for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. See the previous question for more information.

Prospective CME Planners

What type of content is eligible for CME?

ACCME accredited providers must provide CME that contains content which serves to maintain, develop or increase the knowledge, skills and professional performance and relationships that a physician uses to provide services for patients, the public or the profession. The content of CME is the body of knowledge and skills generally recognized and accepted by the profession as within the basic medical sciences, the discipline of clinical medicine and the provision of health care to the public.

When do I contact the College of Medicine – Phoenix Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME) to begin planning a CME program?

CME planners should NOT start working on a CME application until they have scheduled a meeting with the OCME. This includes live courses and conferences.

Please complete the Contact Form to schedule a meeting

Any educational, financial and logistical planning elements require substantial advanced planning for optimum results. This lead time provides you with the time to work with the OCME to ensure the success of the CME activity. All CME activities must be based on identified gaps in physicians’ professional practices and must align with the mission of the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

When should I submit the CME application?

It is strongly suggested that applications be submitted 3-9 months in advance of the activity date. Applications received less than 3 months prior will be accepted at the discretion of the OCME and may be subject to late fees. 

What are the initial steps to begin planning a CME activity?

An initial planning meeting with the OCME must be scheduled with CME staff to walk through the CME application and planning process. They will also review timeframes and deadlines. The OCME works collaboratively with each applicant to ensure clarity as to the CME process and to confirm understanding of the information required to complete a CME application.

How do I access the online CME Application Portal?

The Application must be completed online and is found here:  

CME Application Portal

• Click on “Create New Application” to begin.
• You may close out of the application and return to make edits at any time as long as you fill out all the required (red boxed) questions in that section.
• Hit “Save and Continue” at the end of each section to proceed to the next section.
• Once finished with the application, click the “Submit to Review” button on your application screen.

Can I advertise credit for my program prior to approval of my application?

No. Credit may not be mentioned in any promotional materials unless the activity has already been approved for credit. You may advertise the activity before approval, but the marketing material cannot reference CME credit.

Once the activity is approved, the final announcement must clearly state the approved credit and include the required ACCME accreditation statement. Contact the OCME before printing, posting or sending any announcement that mentions credit.

Who needs to disclose personal financial relationships?

Any individual in a position to control the content of a CME activity must complete a Financial Relationship Disclosure Form. This includes planners, activity directors, activity coordinators, activity planning committee members, content developers, authors, presenters, moderators and content viewers as well as anyone else identified as controlling content.