Who should healthcare professionals check with regarding acceptance of ceus they plan to earn

Who should healthcare professionals check with regarding acceptance of ceus they plan to earn
Many occupations require continuing education so as to help people keep abreast of updates, and the latest information in their fields.

Continuing education units have been established to verify that a person has completed the required program to get their professional certificates, which in turn allow them to continue practicing. CEUs provide a good way of measuring a person’s participation in a continuing education program. This information is then reported to their employers.

Professionals can use CEUs to improve their skills and to stay current with new technology, laws, and regulations that might apply to their field. Even if your particular line of work doesn’t require you to attend a continuing education course, doing so voluntarily is a good way to demonstrate your commitment – and to improve at your job.

Standards have been set for CEUs to make sure that all the necessary standards are met. Depending on the particular profession, a required number of CEUs will be needed to get a certificate or a license. In some professions, you cannot continue to practice without proof that you have completed the required training. For example, within the healthcare industry.

Standards for CEUs

The IACET, or International Association of Continuing Education and Training, has established the criteria for CEUs to make standard procedures for issuing these credits.

Any business, organization or academic institution must be willing to meet these standards in order to give out verified CEUs. Most CEUs are not eligible for college credit, but are instead only used to measure non-credit courses that apply to a particular industry or profession.

How CEUs Are Awarded

In a continuing ed program, one CEU is equivalent to 10 contact hours. Contact hours means that you have participated in an approved continuing education program. Various professions require different numbers of hours to complete your certification. Nurses, lawyers, educators, real estate agents, insurance agents, CPAs and engineers are just a few of the professions that require participation in continuing education programs.

Many manufacturing jobs also have certification standards because of constantly changing technology. While some may require in person attendance for their certificate programs, some fields allow for online learning. Depending on your career choice, the benefits of CEUs can help make sure you remain qualified in your field.

If you are curious if your profession has online CEUs, a simple Google search will yield your possible options. ELearning is a fantastic way to earn additional CEUs as it can be done from the convenience of your home, and on your preferred schedule.

AMA/ACCME alignment

AMA/ACCME alignment

The American Medical Association (AMA) and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) have simplified and aligned their expectations for accredited CME activities certified for AMA Physician’s recognition Award (PRA) credit.

The revised AMA PRA credit system standards are designed to encourage innovation and flexibility in CME activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ while continuing to ensure that activities meet education standards and are independent of commercial influence. The AMA Council on Medical Education approved the alignment and simplification after receiving input from the CME community through a Call for Comment process.

Key points

  • The AMA core requirements and ACCME accreditation requirements are aligned and do not represent any new rules for accredited providers.
  • The AMA has simplified and reduced learning format requirements to provide more flexibility for accredited CME providers.
  • CME providers may design and deliver certified activities that use blended or new approaches to drive meaningful learning and change, as long as the provider abides by the core and credit requirements.
  • CME providers may designate an activity format as “other” if it does not fall into one of the established format categories.

AMA/ACCME alignment resources

AMA/ACCME alignment resources

  • AMA/ACCME Glossary of Terms and Definitions (PDF)
  • AMA Physician’s Recognition Award and credit system booklet (PDF)
  • AMA-ACCME alignment and simplification FAQs (PDF)
  • Results from AMA Call for Comment on AMA-ACCME Alignment and Simplification (PDF)

CME provider requirements

CME provider requirements

The AMA provides information, resources and guidance about the AMA continuing medical education (CME) credit system for CME providers. Activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ must meet both the AMA's and the accreditor's requirements.

To certify educational activities for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ , the sponsoring organization must:

  • Be accredited by either the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) or a recognized state medical society (SMS).
  • Meet all requirements of both the AMA and their accreditor (ACCME or SMS).

We compiled a list of frequently asked questions for CME providers (PDF). For issues regarding AMA PRA credit, review AMA's procedures for handling complaints.

Read the Council of Ethical and Judicial Affairs opinions relevant to CME activities on topics such as gifts to physicians from industry, continuing medical education, and financial relationships with industry in continuing medical education.

International events and AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

International events and AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

AMA International Conference Recognition Program

Non-profit organizations interested in providing AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for your international meetings must meet eligibility criteria. Get more information on requirements, fees and how to apply.

AMA PRA credit system international agreements

The AMA has a process for developing agreements with national or international physician CME credit systems (PDF). If you are an authorized representative of an established physician CME credit system and are interested in exploring the feasibility of an agreement with the AMA, please review the eligibility requirements and criteria. Qualified applicants can request more information by contacting [email protected].

Physicians attending international events for CME credit

Physicians may earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for participation in international events through the AMA’s International Conference Recognition Program or one of the AMA’s international agreements for conversion of credit to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ with the following organizations: the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners Accreditation Department, and the European Board for Accreditation in Cardiology (EBAC). Click on the links to learn more.

Stay current on medical education news

Stay current on medical education news

MedEd Update is a monthly e-newsletter featuring graduate medical education, health care career, medical school and continuing physician professional development news.

For more information, contact CME at [email protected] or (312) 464-4668.

Table of Contents

  1. AMA/ACCME alignment
  2. AMA/ACCME alignment resources
  3. CME provider requirements
  4. International events and AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  5. Stay current on medical education news
  6. Contact us

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