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Setting the highest certification standards for psychiatrists and neurologists since 1934

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

  • Diplomates are required to complete an average of 30 specialty and/or subspecialty CME credits per year, averaged over three years.
    • CME activities completed for one specialty/subspecialty will satisfy the requirement for another specialty/subspecialty.
  • CME can be ANY Category 1 credits relevant to one’s field of practice.
  • ABPN is not a CME provider so diplomates can choose their own Category 1 CME activities through professional societies, healthcare institutions, etc.
  • Diplomates choose their own CME activities. CME activities do not need to be ABPN approved.
    • Diplomates can earn 60 AMA PRA Category-1 CME credits from the American Medical Association (AMA) after the diplomate’s three-year Continuing Certification cycle has ended. The AMA awards CME credits for completing ABPN Continuing Certification Program activities. CME credits are not awarded for completing ABCC article assessments. CME credit can only be claimed once for each three-year period, even if a diplomate completes additional Continuing Certification activities for other specialties or subspecialties.
    • Diplomates can use the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Continuing Certification Directory to search for CME activities by topic and/or CME activity type.
  • Sixteen Self-Assessment CME must be met over three years and must involve ABPN-approved Self-Assessment activities.

Acceptable CME credits are Category 1 CME accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Category 1A CME accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or Category 1 CME accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Read our CC Booklet for more information.