CME FAQ
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Frequently Asked Questions about CME
Answers to common questions about earning, claiming, and tracking continuing medical education with ACOOG.
CME basics
What is CME?
Continuing medical education (CME) is structured learning that keeps a physician's knowledge, skills, and performance current. It covers the basic medical sciences, clinical medicine, and the delivery of patient care. Physicians use CME to stay current and to support licensure and certification.
Is ACOOG accredited to offer CME?
Yes. The American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG) holds accreditation with commendation from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to award CME credits for all physicians. ACOOG is one of only three CME providers in the country earning commendation from both organizations. Each activity page lists its accreditation statement and the credit it offers.
What type of CME credit does ACOOG offer?
ACOOG activities most often carry AOA Category 1-A credit and AMA PRA Category 1tm credit, which also is recognized as ACOG cognates through reciprocity. Each activity page lists the exact credit type and the number of credits available. Review that page before you participate so you know what you will earn.
Is CME the same as board certification?
No. CME and board certification serve different purposes. CME is ongoing education that supports licensure in most states and helps physicians stay current for better patient outcomes. Board certification is a separate credential earned through additional training and ongoing assessment. ACOOG provides CME that applies toward licensure and supports certification. Direct certification questions to the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AOBOG) or the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG).
Is CME the same as OCC and MOC?
No. Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) and Maintenance of Certification (MOC) are board recertification requirements. ACOOG's CME supports these requirements through OB/GYN education and quality initiatives. The requirements themselves come from the AOBOG and the ABOG.
Earning and claiming credit
How many CME credits do I need?
Requirements vary by state, board status, and accrediting body, and they change over time. Review our state requirements and the AOA, AOBOG, and American Medical Association (AMA) resources to confirm what applies to you.
What is required to claim credit for a CME activity?
Each ACOOG activity sets its own completion requirements. Most ask you to participate, complete an evaluation, and attest to the credit you claim. Check the activity for its specific steps.
I missed the claim deadline. Is credit still available?
In most cases, yes. Email cme@acoog.org to ask. A late fee applies in some cases, depending on how much time has passed.
Do I need to be an ACOOG member to earn CME?
Membership is not required for every activity. Many ACOOG activities are open to nonmembers, sometimes at a different rate. Each activity page lists who may register and any member pricing.
Records and reporting
Does ACOOG report my credit to the AOA?
Yes, for ACOOG-sponsored activities. ACOOG reports that credit to the AOA for you. For an activity sponsored by another organization, that sponsor reports the credit. ACOOG does not report credit for activities it did not sponsor.
Does ACOOG keep a transcript of the CME I claimed?
ACOOG's online system lists the ACOOG-sponsored activities you completed after July 2021. For earlier activities, email cme@acoog.org or view your report on the AOA website.
How do I get my CME certificate?
After you complete an activity and claim your credit, download your certificate from your online ACOOG account. It is listed under "Transcripts." If you cannot find it, email cme@acoog.org.
How ACOOG plans CME
How does ACOOG plan CME activities?
ACOOG's CME Committee plans its activities. The committee identifies member needs and the gaps behind them, then designs education to close those gaps and measures the results. The committee welcomes topic suggestions, identified needs, and qualified faculty.
How does ACOOG keep its education independent?
ACOOG follows the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Planners and faculty disclose financial relationships with ineligible companies, and ACOOG resolves any relevant relationships before the activity. This keeps content based on evidence and free of commercial influence.
I want to help plan ACOOG's CME. How do I start?
Email info@acoog.org for the volunteer application, or reach out to the CME Committee chair or an ACOOG Board member.
Still have a question?
The CME team answers questions about credit, records, joint providership, and activities.
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