Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions and answers are provided to assist users with ACS Online CME capabilities. For questions not covered below, please email us and include the words "CME Help" in the subject line of your message.
What is Continuing Medical Education (CME)?
Continuing Medical Education (CME) consists of educational activities which serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance and relationships that a physician uses to provide services for patients, the public, or the profession. The content of CME is that body of knowledge and skills generally recognized and accepted by the profession as within the basic medical sciences, the discipline of clinical medicine, and the provision of health care to the public.
A broad definition of CME, such as the one found above, recognizes that all continuing educational activities which assist physicians in carrying out their professional responsibilities more effectively and efficiently are CME. A course in management would be appropriate CME for physicians responsible for managing a health care facility; a course in educational methodology would be appropriate CME for physicians teaching in a medical school; a course in practice management would be appropriate for practitioners interested in providing better service to patients.
Not all continuing educational activities which physicians may engage in however are CME. Physicians may participate in worthwhile continuing educational activities which are not related directly to their professional work and these activities are not CME. Continuing educational activities which respond to a physician's non-professional educational need or interest, such as personal financial planning or appreciation of literature or music, are not CME.
Why are CME providers accredited?
CME providers are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to assure physicians and the public that CME activities meet accepted standards of education.
Who accredits CME providers?
In existence since 1981, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) is an independent accreditation body for institutions and organizations that sponsor CME for physicians. The purpose of the ACCME is "the identification, development, and promotion of standards for quality continuing medical education (CME) utilized by physicians in their maintenance of competence and incorporation of new knowledge to improve quality medical care for patients and their communities."
There are seven member organizations of the ACCME:
- American Board of Medical Specialties
- American Hospital Association
- American Medical Association
- Association of American Medical Colleges
- Association for Hospital Medical Education
- Council of Medical Specialty Societies
- Federation of State Medical Boards of the U.S.
Who receives accreditation?
Accreditation is granted to organizations that demonstrate the ability to plan and implement CME activities in accordance with the ACCME Essentials.
How do I know if a CME activity is given by an accredited sponsor?
The ACCME requires accredited sponsors to state, in very specific terms, the source of their accreditation either from the ACCME itself or from a recognized state accreditor. This statement is usually included in the promotional materials and on the activity materials. In addition, look for the credit designation statement on promotional and activity materials. The most common credit designation is the AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. For more information on AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, visit the AMA's website at http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/2922.html or email cme{at}ama-assn.org.
How can I find my state's CME requirements?
The AMA maintains an updated table of state-by-state CME requirements (pdf file) as part of its publication State Medical Licensure Requirements and Statistics.
How are CME credits calculated?
Live Activities
Sixty minutes of physician participation in a certified live
activity equals one (1) AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.
Enduring Materials
Since people complete self-study activities (e.g., printed, recorded, audio, video and/or online/electronic activities) at their own pace, the sponsor of an enduring material usually estimates the time the average physician would take to complete the activity. This estimate becomes the designated maximum amount of CME credit for the activity. Sixty minutes equals one (1) AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. The individual physician is required to keep track of the time spent on the activity, and claim the number of hours he or she actually spent on the activity.
Journal-based CME
Providers may designate individual articles for one (1) AMA
PRA Category 1 Credit. If a provider wishes to designate an
article for a higher amount of credit, they must use the process
described for enduring materials.
How can I earn credit using ACS Online CME?
Credit from ACS Online CME is granted on a per-activity basis (usually 1 credit per completed activity). In order to earn credits, you must be a registered user of ACS Online CME, answer all the questions for a particular activity, and then submit the quiz for credit.
Physicians eligible to receive AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ are individuals who have completed an MD, DO, or equivalent medical degree from another country, or who have obtained a Fifth Pathway certificate.
What will I receive to document the credit I have earned?
Once you have submitted a completed course for credit, your My CME summary page will be updated to reflect the credits earned along with a link to a printable version of the CME Certificate. You may then submit this certificate to the appropriate accrediting body.
How do I know that my answers for the CME quiz are correct?
Once you have completed and submitted a specific CME course, your test score will be displayed along with the questions missed, which may require further review based upon your test score.
Do I need to get a percentage of questions correct to earn credit?
Yes. A specified score is required to receive credit for each quiz submitted. For all test scores below this specified score, the user will be prompted to reanswer any missed questions and resubmit to achieve a higher score.
Who accredits ACS Online CME?
The American Cancer Society, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The American Cancer Society, Inc. designates this educational activity for a maximum of .5, 1, 2, or 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Activities approved for American Academy of Family Physicians Prescribed credit are so designated in their instructions.
