If you are planning on offering CME credits for your next activity, your organization has two options:
- Become a CME provider.
- This can take up to two years. See more details below.
- Contract with an accredited CME provider.
- A non-accredited organization can obtain accreditation from an accredited CME provider through joint providership (previously known as joint sponsorship).
In this article:
- How long does it take to become a CME provider?
- Can I obtain accreditation from an accredited CME provider?
- What are the requirements for non-accredited organizations seeking CME accreditation?
- Credit requirements
- Content requirements
- Disclosure requirements
- Commercial support requirements
How long does it take to become a CME provider?
Your organization can apply to become a CME provider. However, this can be an expensive and time-consuming process that can take up to two years to complete.
This process begins with the submission of an application, followed by onsite evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, the ACCME board will make a decision on whether to award accreditation.
For more information on the process of becoming ACCME-accredited, please visit the ACCME website.
Can I obtain accreditation from an accredited CME provider?
Many non-accredited organizations rely on agreements with accredited organizations to provide CME credits for their learners.
What are the requirements for non-accredited organizations seeking CME accreditation?
There are four categories of requirements for CME activities that accredited CME providers ask non-accredited organizations to meet:
- Credit requirements
- Content requirements
- Disclosure requirements
- Commercial support requirements
Credit requirements
Credit requirements are based on the amount of time a physician spends participating in an educational activity. The longer they participate, the more credits they will earn. For example, if a physician attends a one-hour lecture, they will earn one CME credit. The non-accredited organization provides the estimations of how long learners will spend on activities.
Content requirements
Content requirements ensure that the educational activity is designed to maintain, develop, or increase physician knowledge, skills, or professional performance. The content of the educational activity must be evidence-based.
Disclosure requirements
Disclosure requirements ensure that physicians who are in a position to control the content of an educational activity disclose any financial relationships they have with commercial interests. They must also disclose any conflicts of interest that could affect their ability to present material objectively.
Commercial support requirements
Commercial support requirements ensure that any commercial interests providing financial support for an educational activity do not unduly influence its content. Commercial interests are not allowed to contribute to the development of educational materials or select faculty members for activities. Failure to meet these requirements could result in an activity not being accredited, and participating physicians therefore being unable to earn CME credits.