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CME CME FAQs

CME FAQs

Answers Here

Learn which CME activities are credit-eligible and how to report your progress

AOA-accredited CME sponsors will report your participation for you. Here's how to report other CME activities you've completed.


Frequently Asked Questions

Who requires physicians to complete CME?

Completion of continuing medical education is required for licensure by state medical licensing boards and certification through specialty certifying boards.

How should CME credit be reported to the AOA?

For CME activities sponsored by an AOA-Accredited Category 1 CME sponsor, it is the responsibility of that CME sponsor to report all CME credit to the AOA. Credits submitted by a physician for such activities will not be accepted by AOA. AOA Category 1 CME Sponsors have one year after their program to submit the appropriate credits to the AOA.

For non-osteopathic-sponsored ACCME accredited provider for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ or AAFP CME activities, it is the physician’s responsibility to report these CME activities to the AOA. A certificate of attendance or a letter of verification from the CME sponsor, along with the physician’s AOA ID number and number of hours, must be provided. Please send a certificate of attendance for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ or AAFP CME activities by email to MemberService@osteopathic.org or enter CME activity through the CME Self-Reporting Tool (Login Required).

What are the dates of the current CME cycle?

The current CME cycle runs from Jan. 1, 2022 – Dec. 31, 2024.

What are the CME requirements of the AOA?

CME is a requirement for AOA board-certified physicians only.

Physicians holding non-time-limited certifications must complete the following:

AOA members can log in to view current CME progress.

Can I submit CME credit now to apply to future CME cycle requirements?

No. Credits acquired during this cycle cannot apply to future CME requirements. If the date of the activity reflects attendance from a previous cycle, those credits will not be applicable toward the physician’s current CME requirement.

I recently completed my residency or fellowship. How does this affect my AOA CME requirements?

In the 2022-2024 CME cycle, certified residents and fellows are not exempt from their CME requirements, however, they will earn 20 credits of CME for each year of postdoctoral training completed.

What is my CME requirement for state licensure?

CME requirements for state licensure differ between states. Learn more about state licensure requirements.

 

 

Are Life Members required to fulfill the AOA CME requirements?

Life members who hold active certification must complete the CME requirement of their specialty certifying board.

May I earn CME credit for participating in activities for CME online?

Yes. Physicians may consult the 2022-2024 CME Guide for more information on what kinds of online activities can receive CME credit and the credit category. Specialty specific certifying boards have the discretion to determine when in-person CME is important (e.g., clinical procedural content) and limit the amount of online CME earned during a three-year CME cycle accordingly.

May I earn credit for osteopathic preceptoring?

Physicians serving as GME faculty, GME core faculty or preceptors in any AOA-approved osteopathic or ACGME-accredited medical education program may be granted Category 1-B credit. Physicians serving as preceptors for any COCA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine may also be granted Category 1-B credit. A maximum of 20% of the required CME credits per three-year AOA CME cycle may be earned for this activity beginning in 2022.

If CME for GME Faculty/Precepting or UGME Precepting is not reported directly by the sponsor, please submit a letter from the institution stating the number of hours and date(s) to receive credit.

No credit is available for precepting physician assistants or nurse practitioners.

Does the AOA grant CME credit for allopathic-sponsored programs?

Yes. CME programs which are sponsored by an ACCME-accredited provider for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, approved by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), or approved by an internationally known sponsor acceptable to the Council on Continuing Medical Education (CCME) are eligible for Category 2 credit through the AOA. To obtain the Category 2 credit, please email or mail certificates of attendance to the AOA Department of Member Services.

Does the AOA grant Category 1-A credit for Standardized Life Support courses?

Yes. Standardized Life Support courses (including provider, refresher and instructor levels) are eligible for Category 1-A credit. Online standardized courses will be awarded CME credit for the practical part only.

How is CME credit awarded?

CME is generally awarded in 0.25 credit increments. However, physicians may earn a ½ credit per issue for each medical journal read or audiotape listened to, and may earn five credits per medical textbook read during a cycle.

What is the CME requirement for AOA board-certified physicians?

Physicians holding non-time-limited certifications must complete 120 credit hours in the 2022-2024 CME cycle. Physicians holding time-limited certifications or voluntarily participating in OCC must complete the requirements of their individual certifying board. AOA members can log in to view current CME progress.

How can I check my CME status or obtain a copy of my CME report?

AOA members may view their CME reports by visiting Osteopathic.org and logging in with their AOA username and password. Members may also contact the AOA’s Member Resource Center (MRC) at (312) 202-8000 to have their report emailed. CME reports are free of charge and available to AOA members only.

What should I do if I’ve never created an account to view my CME Activity Report?

Members who have not created an account to view their CME Activity Report should contact the AOA’s MRC at (312) 202-8000 to obtain a password.

What programs are ineligible to receive AOA CME credit?

The following are ineligible for AOA CME credit:

  • No credit is available for preceptoring physician assistants or nurse practitioners.
  • Though the AOA applauds volunteer work, such work does not qualify for CME credit.
  • Touring medical facilities does not qualify for CME credit.
  • Health care committee and departmental meetings. Such meetings do not count for CME credit unless they fall under the activities listed in “Committee and Hospital Staff Work.”
  • Osteopathic state licensing board participation
  • Inspections
  • Physician administrative training
  • While participation in Quality Assessment Programs does not qualify for CME credit, participation in Quality Improvement and Quality Assessent Programs may count for OCC Component 4 credit through the Quality Improvement Activity Attestation.
  • Observation at medical centers
  • Medical economics courses
How can I obtain AOA Category 1-A credit?

For a listing of upcoming programs that are eligible for Category 1-A credit, please refer to our CME Search tool.

A variety of activities may count for AOA Category 1-A credit. See the 2022-2024 CME Guide for more information.

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