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