CME Providers may go online and log in to view their dashboard and check the status of their application.
Once the CME Provider receives the official credit determination by e-mail from the AAFP. Upon AAFP approval of the CME activity, the CME Provider may publish the AAFP credit statement provided. See credit statements.
A. Term of approval is for one year from the date of the activity. It is important for an activity to be certified before the date of the activity to ensure AAFP members can report the appropriate AAFP CME credit.
In the instance of an activity with the same content repeated multiple times or series activities, approval is good for all activities held within one year from the date of the first offering.
CME Providers are required to update the AAFP application by logging in online, if additional dates/sites of this activity will take place. If the activity is continued for more than 12 months, a new application, review fee, and supporting information must be submitted for AAFP CME credit approval.
B. Approval of 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.
Post Approval Information
C. After receiving official 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 the AAFP's 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:
Other causes to withhold or withdraw CME credit include, but are not limited to:
- Portrayal of incorrect, inadequate, inappropriate, or incomplete clinical, scientific, medical/legal, socioeconomic or commercially biased information.
- Unethical distribution of material, such as offering the material as a prize or bonus for favors, inappropriate advertising which misrepresents the material or which 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.
- Inappropriate use of product-specific advertising.
E. No other information is required from the CME Provider once they have received credit approval from AAFP. However, please notify the Credit Systems and Compliance Department if any changes are made to the activity or agenda.
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. For example, an application would be re-reviewed if the program agenda changed after approval. This fee does not apply if there are changes to the date of the activity or the speaker(s), or when any additional dates are added.
G. CME providers are not required to distribute certificates of participation to physicians who attend their activity. AAFP members may report their CME credit to AAFP without documentation online, or by calling 800-274-2237. 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).
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. For example, an application would be re-reviewed if the program agenda changed after approval. This fee does not apply if there are changes to the date of the activity or the speaker(s), or when any additional dates are added.
G. CME providers are not required to distribute certificates of participation to physicians who attend their activity. AAFP members may report their CME credit to AAFP without documentation online, or by calling 800-274-2237. 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 Credit Systems and Compliance 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.
J. All documentation associated with activity development, including records verifying physician participation, should be retained for six years by the CME provider.
Advertising Opportunities
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.
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.
