What does "CME provider" mean on the application?
The CME provider is the organization responsible for all aspects of the CME activity. The CME provider is "providing" a CME activity for physicians to continue their education. AAFP is only the accrediting body.
Is the activity director required to sign the CME application?
No. On the CME application, attestation is required that the activity complies with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support and the activity meets every requirement of the Standards. This is required whether or not the CME activity is being supported by commercial funding. The activity director's name and phone number must be included when attestation is made on the application.
FAQs for Enduring Materials
Application Process
Review Process
How long does it take for my CME activity to be reviewed for AAFP CME credit?
Once we receive your complete application and payment, the review process takes 30 business days (6 weeks). A RUSH review is available for $500 plus the review fee.
How will I be notified that my CME activity has been reviewed and approved for AAFP CME credit?
You may list up to two e-mail addresses on the first page of the CME application. Both addresses will receive notice of CME credit approval. If an e-mail address is not provided, your CME credit approval will be sent by mail to the address listed on the application.
Once we receive your complete application and payment, the review process takes 30 business days (6 weeks). A RUSH review is available for $500 plus the review fee.
How will I be notified that my CME activity has been reviewed and approved for AAFP CME credit?
You may list up to two e-mail addresses on the first page of the CME application. Both addresses will receive notice of CME credit approval. If an e-mail address is not provided, your CME credit approval will be sent by mail to the address listed on the application.
General Information
Can our enduring material activity be advertised on your Web site?
Yes, enduring material activities are automatically listed on the AAFP CME Center following credit approval.
What is the difference between Prescribed credit and Elective credit?
An activity is eligible for AAFP Prescribed credit when the activity is designed primarily for physicians with content directly related to patient care, patient care delivery or certain non-clinical topics. A family physician who is an Active or Life AAFP member must be directly involved in the development of the activity and attestation is required on the CME application.
An activity is eligible for AAFP Elective credit when the activity is designed primarily for other health professionals but includes content that is of interest to physicians and will improve a physician's professional ability. The content need not directly influence patient care or its delivery. These activities do not require AAFP member input.
Is AAFP Prescribed credit accepted by other associations?
AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted by the AMA as equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Many of the state licensing boards will accept AAFP Prescribed credit from members to meet CME requirements. AAFP recommends that participants contact their association to see if they will accept AAFP Prescribed credit.
What is the difference between AAFP Prescribed credit and AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™?
When a CME activity is accredited for AAFP Prescribed credit, it means that an application and supporting material were reviewed and approved by the AAFP's Commission on Continuing Professional Development (COCPD). An AAFP Active or Life member was involved in the development of the activity, and the content is directly related to patient care and patient care delivery.
When a CME activity is designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, the CME activity is directly or jointly sponsored by CME providers who are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) or an authorized state medical society.
Does AAFP require a certificate of participation?
No. CME providers are not required to distribute certificates. AAFP members may report their CME credits online (Members Only), by calling AAFP at 800-274-2237, or by mail to 11400 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy., Leawood, KS 66211-2672, ATTN: CME Records. However, AAFP encourages CME providers to offer certificates since many members need them for state licensing and credentialing. View a sample certificate (1-page Word file; About Downloading).
Does AAFP issue certificates to CME participants?
No. This is your responsibility as the provider. AAFP does not require CME providers to give certificates to their CME participants; however, physicians usually find this documentation helpful. CME providers are required to have a mechanism in place to document physician participation.
How long do we have to keep documentation about a CME activity on file?
All documentation associated with activity development, including records verifying physician participation, should be retained for six years by the CME provider.
Yes, enduring material activities are automatically listed on the AAFP CME Center following credit approval.
What is the difference between Prescribed credit and Elective credit?
An activity is eligible for AAFP Prescribed credit when the activity is designed primarily for physicians with content directly related to patient care, patient care delivery or certain non-clinical topics. A family physician who is an Active or Life AAFP member must be directly involved in the development of the activity and attestation is required on the CME application.
An activity is eligible for AAFP Elective credit when the activity is designed primarily for other health professionals but includes content that is of interest to physicians and will improve a physician's professional ability. The content need not directly influence patient care or its delivery. These activities do not require AAFP member input.
Is AAFP Prescribed credit accepted by other associations?
AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted by the AMA as equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Many of the state licensing boards will accept AAFP Prescribed credit from members to meet CME requirements. AAFP recommends that participants contact their association to see if they will accept AAFP Prescribed credit.
What is the difference between AAFP Prescribed credit and AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™?
When a CME activity is accredited for AAFP Prescribed credit, it means that an application and supporting material were reviewed and approved by the AAFP's Commission on Continuing Professional Development (COCPD). An AAFP Active or Life member was involved in the development of the activity, and the content is directly related to patient care and patient care delivery.
When a CME activity is designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, the CME activity is directly or jointly sponsored by CME providers who are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) or an authorized state medical society.
Does AAFP require a certificate of participation?
No. CME providers are not required to distribute certificates. AAFP members may report their CME credits online (Members Only), by calling AAFP at 800-274-2237, or by mail to 11400 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy., Leawood, KS 66211-2672, ATTN: CME Records. However, AAFP encourages CME providers to offer certificates since many members need them for state licensing and credentialing. View a sample certificate (1-page Word file; About Downloading).
Does AAFP issue certificates to CME participants?
No. This is your responsibility as the provider. AAFP does not require CME providers to give certificates to their CME participants; however, physicians usually find this documentation helpful. CME providers are required to have a mechanism in place to document physician participation.
How long do we have to keep documentation about a CME activity on file?
All documentation associated with activity development, including records verifying physician participation, should be retained for six years by the CME provider.
EB CME
When should I submit my EB CME documentation?
It is preferable for all EB CME documentation for each topic requesting EB CME designation to accompany the CME application. If the EB CME documentation is submitted after receiving official credit approval, a re-review processing fee of $100 applies. This information must be submitted to AAFP at least 30 business days (6 weeks) before the CME activity date. CME providers cannot request EB CME designation after the CME activity has taken place.
Once an activity has been approved for AAFP EB CME designation, what information must I provide to the learners?
For each approved recommendation, the following items must be provided to the learners in writing:
It is preferable for all EB CME documentation for each topic requesting EB CME designation to accompany the CME application. If the EB CME documentation is submitted after receiving official credit approval, a re-review processing fee of $100 applies. This information must be submitted to AAFP at least 30 business days (6 weeks) before the CME activity date. CME providers cannot request EB CME designation after the CME activity has taken place.
Once an activity has been approved for AAFP EB CME designation, what information must I provide to the learners?
For each approved recommendation, the following items must be provided to the learners in writing:
- Practice recommendation
- EBM source used
- Specific Web page address or journal article with volume, issue, and page number
- Strength of evidence
- For Enduring Materials/Medical Journal activities only: The page/section in your CME activity where the recommendation is cited.
Note: Within the agenda, please note which topic(s) received AAFP EB CME designation.
