A Beginner’s Guide to Offering CMEs: How to Provide Continuing Medical Education Credits

What are CMEs?

Continuing Medical Education (CME) refers to educational activities targeting medical professionals, such as physicians. Participating in a CME activity demonstrates competency and ensures professionals stay up to date on the latest developments in medical science and patient care. Medical professionals can acquire CME credits by attending workshops, seminars or self-paced courses by organizations accredited to offer the CMEs.

Who needs CMEs?

CME credits are a critical part of the lifelong learning process for medical professionals, and are required by organizations and state boards to ensure these professionals are continuously updating their skills and knowledge. CMEs are specifically for physicians, including Medical Doctors (MDs) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), but other medical professionals, such as physician assistants or associates, may also be able to use CMEs to meet their licensing and education requirements. CMEs are essential for licensed medical professionals to maintain their licensure, meet educational requirements, and deliver high-quality care. Educators offering CMEs should ensure they have the approval of the correct accrediting bodies so that audiences receive the appropriate credits to fulfill their licensing requirements.

Why Offer CMEs?

Offering CMEs for your next educational activity is a fantastic way to elevate its value, especially if you're targeting an audience of healthcare professionals. CMEs not only attract a wider audience but also help your event stand out by offering educational credits that professionals are required to earn. When you offer CME credits, you’re providing a key benefit that can encourage higher participation and engagement.

Collaborating with an organization like CE-Go to offer CMEs at your educational events opens doors to medical professionals seeking to fulfill their credit requirements. As your event gains recognition for providing valuable education, it positions your organization as a trusted leader in continuing medical education.

How to Offer CMEs

In order to offer CMEs to your audience, an educational activity must be offered by an approved provider of CMEs.  The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) is responsible for accrediting institutions that offer CMEs to physicians and other healthcare professionals. Alternatively, a provider may be Jointly Accredited to offer CMEs. Organizations wishing to become Jointly Accredited or ACCME approved providers undergo a lengthy application process to demonstrate the quality and rigor of their programming and ability to manage the complicated processes.

Becoming an approved provider can be a daunting and expensive process, with extensive requirements to meet. However, there is a simpler way. CE-Go, through its Joint Accreditation status, allows organizations to offer CMEs without needing to acquire their own approval. CE-Go manages the necessary accreditation and provides a streamlined process to offer high-quality, accredited CMEs at your conference, webinar, or other educational events.

Jointly planning your event with CE-Go ensures that all standards are met while saving you time and resources. By leveraging CE-Go’s expertise, you can focus on delivering valuable content while CE-Go handles the accreditation process.

Offering CMEs with the support of CE-Go can make your event more attractive to healthcare professionals while enhancing its educational value. Get in touch with us to explore how you can incorporate CME credits into your next event!