Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)

Accreditation

The UConn School of Medicine’s Office of Continuing Medical Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. As such, the CME office maintains the responsibility for assuring physicians that CME-certified activities meet accepted standards of education that help physicians increase competence and incorporate new knowledge to improve the quality of medical care for patients and their communities. Our office ensures that all CME activities are consistent with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education’s standards for high quality education for practicing physicians. The Office offers assistance with continuing medical education applications and support in designing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs and activities. Therefore, if you are preparing to develop a learning activity such as a conference, grand rounds or published materials, here are some important concepts and steps to keep in mind.

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) identifies, develops and promotes standards for quality continuing medical education. The Essential Areas and Elements (including the Standards for Commercial Support) and Accreditation Policies are the practices that a provider, such as UConn CME, must implement to achieve and maintain accreditation. Thus, if you are seeking CME credit from our CME office for learning initiatives, you must follow established policies and practices designed to ensure that these standards are met.  Visit: https://accme.org/

ACCME Rules

ACCME Accreditation Criteria

ACCME accredited providers must comply with all the Core Accreditation Criteria which grants the provider a four-year term. In addition, ACCME accredited providers also have the option to seek Accreditation with Commendation which grants the provider a six-year term.

ACCME Criteria: https://accme.org/rules/criteria/

ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education

The ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education are designed to ensure that accredited continuing education serves the needs of patients and the public, is based on valid content, and is free from commercial influence. The newly redesigned standards were released in December 2020, replacing the Standards for Commercial Support: Standards to Ensure Independence in CME Activities.

ACCME Standards: https://accme.org/rules/standards/

ACCME Policies

Accredited providers are expected to adhere to the policies that are relevant to their organizations.

ACCME Policies: https://accme.org/rules/policies/