DISCLAIMER: This information is provided as general guidance. It is the learner’s responsibility to understand the requirements by the applicable association, state and/or specialty and adhere to them precisely. In addition, it is the learner’s responsibility to verify the type of credit awarded by looking in the course brochure, flyer, advertisement, handout, etc. for the applicable accreditation statement.
According to the PA State Board of Medicine, a physician assistant must complete continuing medical education as required by the NCCPA and maintain National certification for biennial license renewal (December 31st every even year). To maintain certification with the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) PAs must earn 100 CME credits every two years, including at least 50 Category 1 CME credits.
The NCCPA accepts Category 1 CME credit earned from activities designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ or AAPA Category 1 CME credit by the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Science (CCEHS).
Important notes:
*If an activity sponsored by the UPMC CCEHS is designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ (i.e. physician credit), PAs will receive a certificate of attendance indicating “Attendance” credit that can be used for documentation when reporting to the NCCPA. It is important to note that PAs will not be awarded AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. According to AMA policy, AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ can only be awarded to physicians (MDs and DOs). Said differently, PAs can use the credit earned from attending an activity approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ but will not be awarded AMA credit.
** Programs approved for ANCC nursing credit only are not approved by the NCCPA for Category 1 CME and should be logged as a Category 2 (elective) activity.
It is the learner’s responsibility to verify the type of credit awarded by looking in the course brochure, flyer, advertisement, handout, etc. for the applicable accreditation statement.
References:
www.ama-assn.org
https://www.nccpa.net
www.pacodeandbulletin.gov