Your Ultimate Guide to Pediatric CME Credits
Physicians are always studying for something. Whether you’re taking your boards or continuing education, there are so many things to do and so many tasks to handle.
We see opportunities pop up for CME (Continuing Medical Education) credits all the time. Unfortunately, they’re never as convenient as they should be, and worse—they’re expensive, or they offer too few credits for too much work. Also, CME credits are not all the same! It’s hard to keep track of what counts as what.
We’re here to take all of the doubt and uncertainty out of CME credits.
What Are the Different Types of CME Credits?
There are two types of CME credits. They differ based on the way they’re administered and in the way that you’re required to report them. The categories are:
- AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
- AMA PRA Category 2 Credits™
What’s the Difference?
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are the most commonly accepted form of CME credits. They are managed by the American Medical Association (AMA) and reward you with the Physicians Recognition Award (PRA). To earn these credits, physicians must engage in learning activities that have been accredited by one of two organizations: the Accreditation Council for Continuing Education (ACCME) or an ACCME-recognized state medical society.
There are many accredited providers of CMEs out there. The types of activities in which you can earn CMEs will fall under one of two categories: Live Activities or Enduring Material. As the name suggests, Live Activities are any activities that you attend in a live capacity. Enduring Material includes any activity that is not live and can endure over time. Meaning, the material appears in print or was previously recorded.
When you’re checking to determine whether an activity is certified for an AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, look for this statement:
“The [name of accredited CME provider] designates this [learning format] for a maximum of [number of credits] AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.”
What Are AMA PRA Category 2 Credits?
AMA PRA Category 2 Credits are sometimes referred to as “self-study” CME credits. These credits are given for activities that are not recognized as Category 1 credits. WARNING! Physicians are responsible for documenting and keeping track of all their Category 2 credits! You will not receive documentation about the CME credit from the accredited organization. Additionally, documentation should include the type of activity, subject matter, dates, and the number of credits claimed.
These activities must meet strict guidelines from the AMA definition of CMEs, comply with AMA ethical opinions, and not be promotional in nature.
How Many CME Credits Do I Need?
The total number of CME credits that you need per year varies from state to state, but the amount is typically 100 CME credits within a 1- to 2-year span. Check with your state medical association to get the exact number.
Acquiring 100 credits can be daunting! It can take multiple, week-long conferences to earn the required CME credits, or it could take countless 3-credit courses—taken over evenings and lunchtime seminars. CME credits are a necessity, but they’re far from convenient.
What is the Easiest Way to Get CME Credits?
The easiest way to get your pediatric CME credits is through the Pediatrics Board Review CME Edition of the All Access Pass.
Here are the benefits of getting CME through Pediatrics Board Review:
- We make it extremely easy for you to claim your CME credits through our easy-to-use CME portal. You will go through a short assessment and get your credits immediately in an efficient, user-friendly manner.
- We offer over 200 CME credits. You can mix and match between hardcopy books, an audio course, a video course and even live ASK THE EXPERT webinars. You can literally pick from our numerous formats to get exactly what you want. Remember, you typically only need 100 CME credits, so 200 is an abundance of riches. Also, you do NOT have to claim all of your CME at once. So, if you time your membership and CME activities appropriately, one 12-month membership can give you all of the CME credit you’ll need for TWO cycles of CME!
- You don’t have to rush to get to an evening seminar or spend a week at a convention. It’s all right there in your hands, in your home, or at work.
- The resources are proven to be effective and give you excellent continuing pediatric medical education. For pediatricians studying for the ABP Initial Certification exam, or the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) exam, our estimated first-time pass rate has been approximately 99% for many years in a row.
- PBR’s lectures and webinars are designed by Dr. Ashish Goyal, a pediatrician who knows how to teach. The content is always provided in an easy-to-follow and easy-to-understand format, and PBR has frequently been praised for its ability to “simplify the complex.”
- You get all the expertise, but with less reading, better understanding, and greater retention.
- It comes with a 100% Money-Back First-Time Guarantee. We mean it.
- Personalized support and camaraderie is available through a private, online forum of members of the PBR community.
How Can I Best Use My CME Budget?
We make it easy to maximize your CME budget by giving you the best value for your money. Whether it’s a question involving how to pay, who should pay, or even custom documentation needed to get approval of the CME purchase, we can help you.
Plus, we can customize your rebate to help you maximize your budget, your method of payment, your professional expenses for your tax return, and more! Rebates range from $100 to $2000.
Can I Also Get ABP MOC Points for Participating in CME Activities?
With the All Access Pass, you not only get AMA PRA Category 1 credits, but if you are board certified, then you are also entitled to ABP MOC Part 2 Points. PBR’s CME activities qualify you for both requirements with one product.
Can I Split Up the All Access Pass Into More than One Year?
Yes! The CME Edition (of the All Access Pass) offers over 200 AMA PRA Category 1 credits. If you only need some of these credits for your current accreditation cycle, you can save the remaining credits for the next cycle—as long as it’s within 12 months of your membership’s start date.
So, for example, if you only need to earn 100 credits this year, then you can use the CME Edition of the All Access Pass and claim 100 CME credits this year, and claim the remaining 100 credits in January of next year's cycle.
Conclusion
You need your CME credits from somewhere, so why not get them in the most convenient way with a Money Back First-Time Pass Guarantee? Plus, you may be entitled to a $2000 rebate! So, what are you waiting for?
