Summary

This article answers common questions about applying for and managing Continuing Medical Education (CME) accreditation through AAPA. It covers accreditation periods, credit calculations, application requirements, post-activity reporting, payment options, and more. If you have a question that is not answered here, contact cmeapproval@aapa.org.

Before You Begin

• Have an account at the AAPA Accreditation Portal: cmeapproval.aapa.org
• Have your activity details ready, including dates, faculty/speaker information, learning objectives, and financial disclosures.
• Know your activity type (live, on-demand, preceptorship, self-assessment, PI-CME, etc.).

Accreditation Periods

How long is an activity accredited once approved?

The accreditation period depends on the activity format:

• Preceptorship programs may be approved for up to two years.
• All other learning formats — including live, enduring, self-assessment, and PI-CME activities — have a maximum accreditation period of one year from the approval date.

If you wish to continue offering the activity beyond that period, you must submit a new application.

Do I just renew my accreditation when the period ends?

No. AAPA accreditation is activity-based, not renewable. When your accreditation period ends, you will need to submit a new application for review. If many details remain the same, you may copy your previous application as a template — just make sure to update all relevant information, including dates, disclosures, objectives, and any content changes.

CME Credits

Is there a maximum number of CME credits that can be awarded for precepting activities?

No. There is no maximum limit on the number of AAPA Category 1 CME credits that can be awarded for precepting activities.

How are CME credits calculated for individual preceptors?

Individual preceptors may be awarded AAPA Category 1 CME credits at a rate of 2 credits per PA student per 40-hour week of precepting, with no limit on the total number of credits that can be earned.

Application Submissions

I have both a live and an on-demand version of my activity. Do I need to submit one or two applications?

It depends on how registration is structured:

• Single registration: If all registrants who attend the live event will also receive access to the on-demand version, you may submit one application. The accreditation period will end on the last date the recordings are available, or within one year of the start of the accreditation period — whichever comes first.
• Separate registration: If the live and on-demand activities have separate registrations, they are considered two distinct activities. Each will require its own application and will be assigned a separate CME number.

I'm presenting the same live event multiple times this year. Do I need to submit an application for each offering?

No. If the content, faculty, and learning objectives remain the same and only the learner cohort or date changes, you can include all sessions under one application. The accreditation period will be valid for one year, and CME certificates should reflect the specific date each participant attended the live session.

I want to apply, but I don't have all my speaker disclosures yet. Can I still submit my application?

Yes. You may submit your application without all speaker disclosures to avoid incurring a rush fee. However, you must:

• Upload a document listing the names of any speakers whose disclosures are pending, and
• Submit all missing disclosures before the start of the activity.

When does the rush fee apply, and how can I avoid it?

A rush fee applies to any application submitted 21 days or fewer before the start date of the activity. To avoid the rush fee, submit your application at least 22 days in advance of the first scheduled session. Please note that the system does not allow activities to have start dates within 7 days of submission. Be sure to plan accordingly so your application can be reviewed and approved in time.

How long does it take for an application to be reviewed?

Most complete applications are reviewed within 2–3 weeks. If the Review Panel requests additional clarification, allow extra time for follow-up and resubmission.

Disclosures

What happens if my disclosures are older than 24 months?

Disclosures must be current within 24 months of submission. If they are outdated, new disclosures are required before CME is delivered.

Post-Activity Reports

When is the post-activity report due?

The post-activity report is due within 90 days of the accreditation period ending. This applies to all activity types.

What should be included in my post-activity report?

The report must include:

• Attendance and/or completion data
• Evaluation summaries
• Any updated disclosures

My preceptorship was approved for a two-year accreditation period, and one clinical year just ended. Can I submit my post-activity report now and another next year?

No. The post-activity report must be submitted once, at the end of the full accreditation period. This allows all learner data and outcomes to be aggregated and reported together. You may document and award credit internally on your own schedule (e.g., quarterly, by rotation, annually, or bi-yearly), but the final report to AAPA should only be submitted after the entire accreditation period concludes.

I can't find where to submit my post-activity report. Where do I go?

To submit your post-activity report:

1. Log in to the AAPA Accreditation Portal at cmeapproval.aapa.org.
2. Navigate to My Account.
3. Check under All or Needs Attention.
4. If you do not see your activity listed, select Show Full History
5. For any issues, contact cmeapproval@aapa.org for assistance.

Account Management

The accreditation account is in another person's name. Can it be transferred to me?

Yes. To request a transfer:

1. Go to cmeapproval.aapa.org and create your own account.
2. Email cmeapproval@aapa.orgwith the following information:
   • The name of the previous account holder (and/or relevant CME number(s))
   • The email address you used to create your new account
3. AAPA will transfer the applications to your new account.

Please allow 24–48 hours for your new account to appear active, and an additional 24–48 hours for the applications to be transferred.

One of my speakers canceled after my activity was already approved. What should I do?

Email cmeapproval@aapa.org with the following information about your replacement faculty:

• The new topic or session title
• The updated learning objectives
• The speaker's financial disclosure(s)

AAPA will review the information to confirm the new faculty and content are eligible. You will also need to upload this updated information in your post-activity report to maintain accurate records.

Payment

Can I pay by check instead of credit card?

Yes, you can pay by check; however, credit card is the preferred payment method for faster processing. Payments made by check may cause delays in application review. To pay by check, complete your application and reach the In Cart stage, then email cmeapproval@aapa.org to request an invoice.

CME Sponsors and Providers

What is a CME Sponsor?

All regular AAPA Category 1 activities are sponsored (approved for credit) by one of the following recognized organizations:

• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
• American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
• American Medical Association (AMA) — providers accredited by ACCME
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME)
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
• The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)
• Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC)

What is a CME Provider?

The CME provider is the organization that offered the activity — such as a seminar, training, or course. Providers are typically associations, hospitals, schools, pharmaceutical companies, or other healthcare organizations. You will need to enter the provider name when logging your Category 1 CME credits.

Preceptorship Accreditation

PA programs may submit an annual or biannual application to become accredited to award AAPA Category 1 CME credits to their PA preceptors for precepting PA students.

• Credits are awarded at a rate of 2 AAPA Category 1 CME credits per PA student per 40-hour week, with no limit.
• Programs may apply for up to 24 months of accreditation within a single application for $400.

A complete list of accredited programs is publicly available here. 

To learn more about preceptorship CME, visit aapa.org.

To learn about applying for accreditation, visit the AAPA accreditation page. 

When you are ready to begin your application, visit cmeapproval.aapa.org.

Troubleshooting

If you are unable to complete any of the steps described in this article, or have additional questions about CME accreditation, contact the AAPA CME Approval team:

• Email: cmeapproval@aapa.org
• Portal: cmeapproval.aapa.org

Important Notes

• AAPA accreditation is activity-based, not renewable. A new application must be submitted each time.
• Applications submitted 21 days or fewer before an activity's start date will incur a rush fee. Submit at least 22 days in advance to avoid this charge.
• The system does not allow activities to have start dates within 7 days of submission.
• All speaker disclosures must be current within 24 months of submission.
• The post-activity report is due within 90 days of the accreditation period ending.
• For preceptorship programs approved for two years, submit only one post-activity report at the end of the full accreditation period — not annually.

Related Articles or Links

• AAPA Accreditation Portal: cmeapproval.aapa.org
• AAPA Preceptorship CME Information: aapa.org
• Accreditation Application Page: click here
• Accredited PA Programs List: click here