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Frequently Asked Questions About Continuing Medical Education

The following are answers to frequently asked questions about continuing medical education at the American Association for Cancer Research. If you have a concern that is not addressed here, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Who is eligible to claim CME credit for attending an AACR conference?
How can I claim CME credit for attending an AACR conference?
How can I claim MOC points for attending an AACR conference?
When will I receive my CME certificate?
What is continuing medical education (CME)?
How can I find my state’s CME requirements?
Who accredits CME providers?
Questions about CME?

Who is eligible to claim CME credit for attending an AACR conference?

Physicians (MD and DO) can receive a CME certificate by submitting a CME Request for Credit Survey. Non-physicians may request a Certificate of Attendance by completing a CME Request for Credit Survey. Participation hours in this educational event may satisfy licensing requirements for certain specialties.

How can I claim CME credit for attending an AACR conference?

For an approved list of CME-designated AACR conferences, please visit our Conferences Page. All individuals requesting continuing medical education credits must complete a CME Request for Credit Survey that will be sent via email to all attendees and will be available online. On the CME web page for the AACR conference that you attended, please access the hyperlink under the heading, “Claiming CME Credit.” 

How can I claim MOC POINTS for attending an AACR conference?

AACR supports physician’s commitment to lifelong learning through activities that offer CME credit and maintenance of certification (MOC) points. ABIM MOC points are available for most AACR conferences. Please see the conference website for more information.

When will I receive my CME certificate?

After completing the Request for Credit Survey, certificates for the Annual Meeting may be printed online. For all other conferences, certificates will be sent by email within 10 business days. 

What is continuing medical education (CME)? 

According to the definition of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Continuing Medical Education consists of educational activities which serve to maintain, develop or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance and relationships that a physician uses to provide services for patients, the public, or the profession. The content of CME is that body of knowledge and skills generally recognized and accepted by the profession as within the basic medical sciences, the discipline of clinical medicine and the provision of health care to the public.

How can I find my state’s CME requirements?

Visit the appropriate licensing agency website to view the state-specific requirements for that board. 

Who accredits CME providers?

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) has been in existence since 1981 and is an independent accreditation body for institutions and organizations that provide CME for physicians. The purpose of the ACCME is “the identification, development, and promotion of standards for quality CME utilized by physicians in their maintenance of competence and incorporation of new knowledge, in order to improve quality medical care for patients and their communities.”

There are seven member organizations of the ACCME:

  • American Board of Medical Specialties;
  • American Hospital Association;
  • American Medical Association;
  • Association of American Medical Colleges;
  • Association for Hospital Medical Education;
  • Council for Medical Specialty Societies; and 
  • Federation of State Medical Boards of the U.S.

For more information on the ACCME, visit its website.

Questions about CME?

Please contact the AACR Office of CME at 215-440-9300, [email protected], or see the CME staff onsite at the conference for assistance.