CME providers may go online and log in to view their dashboard and check the status of their application.
Once the CME provider receives official credit approval by e-mail from their AAFP review coordinator, they may use the credit statement listed on their approval. See credit statements.
A. Term of approval is for 1 or 2 years from date of beginning distribution (e.g. distribution date beginning September 1, 2009: renewal date would be September 1, 2010 with 1-year accreditation, or September 1, 2011 with 2-year accreditation). AAFP must be notified immediately if there is a need to change the distribution date. The distribution date cannot be delayed more than 6 months from the original approved distribution date.
B. Approval for AAFP credit does not imply authorization to use the AAFP logo or name in any association with the activity, including activity materials, other than the authorized credit statement.
C. Upon written notification of credit approval, "Save the Date" announcements and advertisements may indicate that AAFP credit has been approved without using the full, official AAFP credit statement. They may read "AAFP (Prescribed or Elective) credits approved."
D. CME provider organizations must commit to conducting CME activities in a professional and quality businesslike manner, as well as in strict accordance with AAFP accreditation criteria and policies, and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Guidelines and Standards for Commercial Support. The American Academy of Family Physicians reserves the right to withhold or withdraw CME credit in the event that a CME provider's business practices interfere with the delivery of a quality CME learning experience and/or the presentation of the activity does not meet the AAFP's stated criteria.
Other causes to withhold or withdraw CME credit include, but are not limited to:
Post Approval Information
- Portrayal of incorrect, inadequate, inappropriate, incomplete or commercially biased clinical, scientific, medical/legal or socioeconomic information.
- Unethical distribution of material, such as offering the material as a prize or bonus for favors, inappropriate advertising that misrepresents the material or inaccurately portrays the material, or misrepresentation of the CME credit which may be acquired by using the materials.
- Release of confidential information regarding any physician's participation in the activity or use of the material.
- Release of information regarding individual or aggregate scores or results of scores that may be obtained through tests taken by physicians participating in the activity or using the material.
- Use of product-specific advertising.
E. No other information is required from the CME provider except a complimentary copy of the CME activity sent to AAFP at distribution date. However, please notify your review coordinator if any changes are made to the activity.
F. There is a processing fee of $100 for any CME application that needs to be re-reviewed by AAFP after the CME provider receives official credit approval from AAFP. Re-review of an application is necessary when the CME credits of an activity change.
Complete the Request for Re-Review form (1-page Word file; About Downloading) and submit with the revised CME application to AAFP.
G. CME providers are not required to distribute certificates of participation to physicians who complete their activity. AAFP members may report their CME credit to AAFP without documentation online, or by calling 800-274-8043. However, physicians need certificates for state licensing and credentialing, and AAFP encourages CME providers to provide a certificate. View a sample certificate (1-page Word file; About Downloading).
H. Final approval of all CME credit rests with the Commission on Continuing Professional Development (COCPD). Should a CME provider wish to appeal determination of credit, a letter of intent to appeal must be submitted within 30 days after approval of credit. Sufficient information and documentation to support the appeal must be submitted for re-review within 3 months of the date of the letter of intent to appeal. Send all materials to the Executive/Appeals Subcommittee of the COCPD, CME Accreditation Department, 11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Leawood, KS 66211. If necessary, the appeal will be brought to the attention of the full commission for final action. Exception to this policy will be at the discretion of the COCPD. Please contact Sheryl Druen at 800-274-2237, ext. 6547, with questions.
I. The AAFP is committed to assuring that appropriate quality CME is available to the nation's family physicians. As a CME accrediting body, the AAFP reserves the right to monitor and ensure compliance with current regulations governing CME of any activity that has been awarded AAFP CME credit. In addition to investigating complaints and questionable applications, the AAFP randomly selects activity applications for routine educational audits.
J. All documentation associated with activity development, including records verifying physician participation, should be retained for six years by the CME provider.
F. There is a processing fee of $100 for any CME application that needs to be re-reviewed by AAFP after the CME provider receives official credit approval from AAFP. Re-review of an application is necessary when the CME credits of an activity change.
Complete the Request for Re-Review form (1-page Word file; About Downloading) and submit with the revised CME application to AAFP.
G. CME providers are not required to distribute certificates of participation to physicians who complete their activity. AAFP members may report their CME credit to AAFP without documentation online, or by calling 800-274-8043. However, physicians need certificates for state licensing and credentialing, and AAFP encourages CME providers to provide a certificate. View a sample certificate (1-page Word file; About Downloading).
H. Final approval of all CME credit rests with the Commission on Continuing Professional Development (COCPD). Should a CME provider wish to appeal determination of credit, a letter of intent to appeal must be submitted within 30 days after approval of credit. Sufficient information and documentation to support the appeal must be submitted for re-review within 3 months of the date of the letter of intent to appeal. Send all materials to the Executive/Appeals Subcommittee of the COCPD, CME Accreditation Department, 11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Leawood, KS 66211. If necessary, the appeal will be brought to the attention of the full commission for final action. Exception to this policy will be at the discretion of the COCPD. Please contact Sheryl Druen at 800-274-2237, ext. 6547, with questions.
I. The AAFP is committed to assuring that appropriate quality CME is available to the nation's family physicians. As a CME accrediting body, the AAFP reserves the right to monitor and ensure compliance with current regulations governing CME of any activity that has been awarded AAFP CME credit. In addition to investigating complaints and questionable applications, the AAFP randomly selects activity applications for routine educational audits.
J. All documentation associated with activity development, including records verifying physician participation, should be retained for six years by the CME provider.
Advertising Opportunities
Membership List: CME providers may purchase the AAFP's membership list. Contact Kerry Tranfa with INFOCUS at 800-708-5478, ext. 3246, or ktranfa@infocuslists.com.
Ad Space: CME providers may purchase ad space in American Family Physician (AFP) journal. Contact Donna Kelley at 800-237-7027.
AAFP's CME Center: All CME activities approved for AAFP CME credit are listed automatically in the AAFP's CME Center. However, CME providers have the ability to opt out of listing their CME activities.
Enduring Materials
Post Approval Information
Enduring Materials Application (*Word file)
(*Word file. About Downloading)
