CME activities that have relevance to family medicine by helping family physicians improve patient care, improving the family physician's professional ability and demonstrating high educational, ethical and medical standards may apply for AAFP CME accreditation.
Learn more about Evidence-based CME (EB CME).
Application Process
Submit Your Application Online - NEW!
Save the $100 Data Entry Fee!
Save the $100 Data Entry Fee!
A. The CME provider may submit an online application or complete the Application for Approval of Enduring Materials in Word for CME Credit for their CME activity to be reviewed for AAFP CME accreditation.
- All CME activities must comply with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support (3-page PDF file; About PDFs.) The activity director must attest to compliance on the application form. The AAFP reserves the right to withhold or withdraw accreditation from activities that, in its opinion, do not satisfy AAFP regulations governing CME.
- Product-specific advertising of any type is prohibited in enduring materials.
- Appropriate educational objectives shall be stated. Educational methodology and format of materials must be appropriate to accomplish these objectives.
- The use of audio/video materials should add a learning dimension not obtainable through other methods.
- Audio/video materials should be accompanied by written materials that provide a greater depth or potential reference for study by the family physician.
- The AAFP awards credit on an hour-for-hour basis (based on quarter-hour segments) for time spent in formal education. Audio and video materials will be accredited on the basis of actual time. Written materials will be awarded credit based upon an average time for family physicians to read and comprehend the materials. If requested credits have been determined by a formal peer review process, documentation of the process is helpful in supporting the application. The provider should include the following as verification of the review mechanism:
- a list of the provider's review board/advisory committee and credentials;
- a description of the method used to determine the average time for a physician to complete the material; and,
- the number of test questions per activity element and the provider's formula to determine the amount of time to complete the test. Final determination of credit will be made by the Commission on Continuing Professional Development (COCPD).
- Fifty percent (50%) of content must fulfill AAFP CME criteria for the activity to be eligible for AAFP CME credit. Special consideration may be given when a specified track of the activity is designed primarily for physicians. Providers may apply for split credit (e.g., some Prescribed, some Elective), but they must clearly designate the precise number of credits and type of credit approved for specific portions of the activity.
- To verify participation in the activity, the participant must complete and return the post-test to the CME provider.
- To qualify for Prescribed credit, an AAFP Active or Life member must have direct involvement in the planning of the activity and believe that it is appropriate CME for family physicians. Attestation is required on the CME application. An audit will be done to ensure that the input family physician was involved in the activity planning. With no input family physician, the activity will qualify for Elective credit.
B. If submitting CME application by mail, fax, or e-mail, submit the completed CME application, supporting information and review fee -- including the additional $100 data entry fee -- to the AAFP:
To pay by credit card
Fax one copy of the materials to 913-906-6284 or e-mail to cmea@aafp.org. Do not send hard copy by mail if faxing materials.
To pay by check
Submit one copy of the materials by mail to:
AAFP
Attn: CME Accreditation
11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
Leawood, KS 66211
If submitting application online, providers are welcome to pay using a credit card or check. Once the activity information is entered online, providers will be able to select the desired payment option and print a receipt. When paying by check, providers must send the check and a copy of the receipt to AAFP. The review process begins once we receive payment in full.
Send a copy or draft of the activity in its entirety, including print/audio/video materials. If the activity is online, a hard copy (CD preferred) of complete CME activity content is required.
The CME provider is required to send a complimentary copy of the CME activity to AAFP at distribution date.
To pay by credit card
Fax one copy of the materials to 913-906-6284 or e-mail to cmea@aafp.org. Do not send hard copy by mail if faxing materials.
To pay by check
Submit one copy of the materials by mail to:
AAFP
Attn: CME Accreditation
11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
Leawood, KS 66211
If submitting application online, providers are welcome to pay using a credit card or check. Once the activity information is entered online, providers will be able to select the desired payment option and print a receipt. When paying by check, providers must send the check and a copy of the receipt to AAFP. The review process begins once we receive payment in full.
Send a copy or draft of the activity in its entirety, including print/audio/video materials. If the activity is online, a hard copy (CD preferred) of complete CME activity content is required.
The CME provider is required to send a complimentary copy of the CME activity to AAFP at distribution date.
C. Please allow 30 business days (6 weeks) for the review process. If an application and supporting information are submitted without all the required information, the review process will not begin.
The 30 business day (6 week) review process begins when payment is received by the AAFP. If payment is not submitted with the application, the CME Accreditation Department will hold the application for 2 weeks. If payment is not received within 2 weeks, the application will be sent back to the CME provider.
D. CME providers have the option to pay a RUSH FEE to have their CME application reviewed faster than the standard 30 business days. The rush fee is $500 plus the review fee. An additional $100 data entry fee will be applied if application is submitted by mail, fax, or e-mail. CME providers who pay the rush fee will be contacted once AAFP receives the application. At that time, the review coordinator will determine how long the review process will take. Typically, the rush review process will take 5-10 business days.
Please note: EB CME documentation review cannot be rushed.
Complete the Request to RUSH form (1-page Word file; About Downloading) and submit with the original CME application.
E. Once AAFP receives the CME application, CME providers may use the following pending credit statement until official credit determination is received:
Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.
F. CME providers will be notified of CME credit approval by e-mail. Please keep this approval for your files.
The 30 business day (6 week) review process begins when payment is received by the AAFP. If payment is not submitted with the application, the CME Accreditation Department will hold the application for 2 weeks. If payment is not received within 2 weeks, the application will be sent back to the CME provider.
D. CME providers have the option to pay a RUSH FEE to have their CME application reviewed faster than the standard 30 business days. The rush fee is $500 plus the review fee. An additional $100 data entry fee will be applied if application is submitted by mail, fax, or e-mail. CME providers who pay the rush fee will be contacted once AAFP receives the application. At that time, the review coordinator will determine how long the review process will take. Typically, the rush review process will take 5-10 business days.
Please note: EB CME documentation review cannot be rushed.
Complete the Request to RUSH form (1-page Word file; About Downloading) and submit with the original CME application.
E. Once AAFP receives the CME application, CME providers may use the following pending credit statement until official credit determination is received:
Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.
F. CME providers will be notified of CME credit approval by e-mail. Please keep this approval for your files.
