Just as Core Measures are the standard by which the quality of patient care is measured, Continuing Medical Education (CME) provides standards by which the ongoing education of physicians can be measured. Ensuring that a board certified physician maintains a certain standard of knowledge and expertise is in everyone’s best interest. That is the reason why CME requirements have been established at the accrediting board and state level.
For example, to remain an active, board certified member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, physicians must take 50 hours of CMEs every three years. In order to maintain and renew an active medical license in the state in which they practice, physicians must meet the exact educational credits and number of CME hours required by that state.
Each state medical board has different requirements, so due diligence is required on the part of the physician. For example, the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine requires 100 hours of CME credits every two years, 40 hours of which are required to be in Category 1. These requirements are very specific and must be followed to the letter, as detailed on the Continuing Medical Education Report section of the Maine Medical License renewal application.
“Category I includes programs that have received accreditation by the AMA Council on Medical Education, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical education (ACCME), or the Committee on CME of the Maine Medical Association. Category I CME’s earned outside the U.S. or Canada must be approved by the Board; therefore such activities must be separately documented.”
In sharp contrast to the requirements of the state of Maine, the New York State Board for Medicine. Requires only one hour of the “New York CME” and 1 hour of the “New York Infection Control” CME every 4 years.
These examples clearly illustrate the vast differences of CME requirements from state to state. However, all of the states have one important thing in common; if a doctor seeking medical license renewal fails to submit evidence of successful CME course completion, “as prescribed by rule” of the state, then license renewal is denied.
Read the up to date list of CME requirements by state to find out the specific number of hours required by your state licensing board. See how you can complete your CME hours online quickly and easily from the web or your mobile device.
Check out this, and more articles on our blog, here.