• AAFP Credit System Policy

    The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Credit System policy exists to provide clarity and transparency regarding AAFP Credit System processes as well as expectations and requirements of CME providers for CME activities. The following policies apply to all CME providers who apply for AAFP CME credit.

    Organizational Eligibility
    Confidentiality Statement
    Content Lifespan*
    Activity Delivery and Professionalism
    Audits
    Complaints
    Suspension
    Probation

    Organizational Eligibility

    The AAFP requires transparency from CME provider organizations to establish and maintain organizational eligibility. 

    New CME provider organizations that do not have an existing AAFP Credit System organization account must fill out and submit a New Provider Account form, provide evidence of ability to comply with Credit System requirements, and pay a one-time, non-refundable fee for AAFP to determine organizational eligibility. In general, the AAFP will contact the CME provider within 10 business days regarding eligibility.  

    All CME provider organizations are required to notify the AAFP of organizational changes, including but not limited to changes to their corporate structure, name, address, and mergers and acquisitions.  If the new organization does not have an existing AAFP Credit System account, a New Provider Account form should be submitted as outlined above.

    Current CME provider organization accounts that have not submitted a credit application in over three years will be deactivated. To reactivate the account, the organization must go through the organization review process as outlined above.

    It is within AAFP’s sole discretion to choose not to work with a CME provider.

    Confidentiality Statement

    The AAFP Credit System will maintain the confidentiality of CME provider organization information and will use and/or disclose it for the following purposes only:

    • Activity certification and audit processes
    • Facilitate CME reporting to regulatory authorities, specialty boards and other appropriate third parties (subject to confidentiality obligations being in place)
    • Information sharing among CME provider organizations to highlight topic submission trends and other newsworthy data (data would be de-identified and aggregated)
    • As required by legal process
    • Otherwise with the provider’s written permission

    In addition, the AAFP reserves the right to use any information about the CME provider organization that is or may become publicly available or available to third parties who have no obligation to maintain its confidentiality.

    Content Lifespan*

    To ensure consistently up-to-date information, CME providers are required to review and update the educational content of CME activities a minimum of every three years, or more frequently if appropriate or as required due to new scientific developments and updates. CME providers will be required to provide evidence of their content review and update process during a CME activity audit and/or upon request.

    *Will take effect June 2024.

    Activity Delivery and Professionalism

    CME providers must conduct themselves, their businesses, and their CME activities in a professional and businesslike manner and in compliance with applicable laws. The AAFP reserves the right to deny CME credit and/or terminate a CME provider’s account if the CME provider (1) engages in any conduct which disparages the reputation or standing of AAFP or any of its officers or employees, (2) is convicted of any criminal act or formally accused by law enforcement of a felony, (3) engages in business practices that interfere with the delivery of a quality CME learning experience and/or contradict the AAFP’s stance on a given procedure or practice, or (4) engages in any act of moral turpitude. Reasons the AAFP may choose to deny CME credit include, but are not limited to, portrayal of incorrect, inadequate, inappropriate, commercially biased, or incomplete clinical, scientific, medical/legal, or socioeconomic information.

    Audits

    The AAFP is committed to ensuring that appropriate quality CME is available to the nation's family physicians. To ensure compliance with current CME regulations, the AAFP reserves the right to monitor any activity that has been awarded AAFP CME credit. In addition to investigating complaints and questionable applications and/or practices, the AAFP selects activity applications for routine audits. Audit decisions may be made based on review of 10% of the activity’s educational content.

    The AAFP Credit System retains the right to require a CME provider to send notifications to learners when warranted.

    Complaints

    In addition to conducting routine audits, the AAFP Credit System investigates all complaints and conducts complaint audits when made aware of concerns about any CME activity or organization awarded credit by the AAFP. Anyone can file a complaint via email. Findings will not be shared with the individual who filed a complaint due to the AAFP Credit System’s confidentiality statement.  Additionally, the AAFP will not share the identity of the individual who filed the complaint.

    Suspension

    Suspension  is intended to address repeated and/or significant non-compliance with AAFP Credit System eligibility requirements, including the ACCME Standards. CME providers may be placed on suspension for any of the following circumstances including but not limited to:

    • A CME provider has more than one non-compliant activity audit in a 24-month period.
    • The AAFP deems a non-compliant audit finding involves conduct of a serious or egregious nature that warrants immediate suspension. Examples include, but are not limited to, clear disregard for applicable rules, willful non-compliance, promotion of misinformation, and/or non-compliance that may pose a danger to learners.
    • During a probation review, the CME provider is found to be non-compliant with probation or eligibility requirements. 

    While on suspension, the CME provider may not modify existing applications or submit new credit applications. Any activities with an active credit term will remain active until they expire unless the CME provider is otherwise notified. No fees are charged when a CME provider is on suspension. While on suspension, CME providers’ activities with an active credit term remain subject to all applicable AAFP policies, including AAFP’s audit and suspension policies.   

    Suspension for the above reasons lasts a minimum of two years. At the end of the suspension, the CME provider must go through a probation review process to become fully reinstated to apply for AAFP CME credit.  

    Additionally, if a CME provider fails to respond to an audit the AAFP Credit System reserves the right to temporarily suspend the CME provider’s account pending the CME provider’s response or participation as required in the audit process.

    It is within AAFP’s sole discretion to choose not to work with a CME provider.

    Probation

    A CME provider may be required to go through probation after a non-compliant audit finding. A CME provider must go through a probation process after a suspension  prior to being fully reinstated to apply for AAFP CME credit. Non-compliance during the probation period may result in suspension and/or termination of the CME provider’s eligibility.

    Probation as a result of non-compliant audit

    AAFP will notify the CME provider of the probation status. The CME provider must submit the following to cmecredit@aafp.org

    • Payment of the probation fee and agreement to comply with the probation fee structure.
    • At the time of the CME provider’s next application(s), they must provide the requirements outlined in the probation letter in addition to the information required in the regular credit application.

    Once payment is received, staff will review the probation request. If the activity materials are deemed non-compliant, then suspension may go into effect.

    If the activity materials are deemed compliant, then the probation will be lifted, and the CME provider will continue to be able to apply for AAFP CME credit.

     Probation following suspension:

    To begin the probation process the CME provider must submit the following to cmecredit@aafp.org for preliminary review: 

    • A request to begin the probation process.
    • Payment of the probation fee and agreement to comply with the probation fee structure.
    • A sample activity, including associated materials, to demonstrate the CME provider has appropriate processes and procedures in place to comply with all AAFP requirements, including the ACCME Standards, particularly in areas of previous non-compliance.

    Once payment is received, staff will review the probation request. If the sample activity materials are deemed non-compliant, then the suspension will remain in place until compliant sample materials are received.

    If the sample activity materials are deemed compliant, the probation review will be initiated, and the CME provider will regain access to their account and will be permitted to submit new credit applications. Each application submitted during the probation process will undergo a full content review by an AAFP Credit System physician reviewer, therefore all content and materials must be provided at the time of application submission. Please see the fees page for applicable fees. The CME provider must have two successive credit applications reviewed and approved by AAFP during the probation process to be taken off probation and fully reinstated.

    Questions?

    Contact AAFP Credit System
    cmecredit@aafp.org
    (800) 274-2237