The American Medical Association (AMA) and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) worked together to simplified and aligned their expectations for accredited CME activities certified for AMA Physician’s Recognition Award (PRA) credit. As such, organizations that are accredited by the California Medical Association (CMA) are given the authority to award AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM for their activities.

AMA oversees the credit system and states that only physicians are eligible to be awarded AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. For the purpose of awarding and claiming AMA PRA credit, the AMA defines physicians as those individuals who have obtained an M.D., D.O. or equivalent medical degree from another country.

Many other disciplines, such as nurse practitioners and registered nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, licensed social workers, etc. can use AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ toward their re-licensure. Many credentialing bodies accept the AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as an equivalent if the topic is relevant to the applicant’s field or discipline. 

Non-physician health professionals and other participants are given participation for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ activities , accredited CME providers should issue documentation of participation to non-physicians that states the activity was certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Note that the wording used on documentation of credit to physicians is different from that of non-physicians. An example of wording that might be used on documentation for a non-physician participant follows:

The <name of accredited CME provider> certifies that <name of non-physician participant> has participated in the <learning format> titled <title of activity> on <date of activity>. This activity was designated for <number of credits> AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s).^TM

If one of your learners has doubts whether an activity will qualify for their specific continuing education requirements, have them contact their licensing board directly.

An example of wording that might be used on certificates awarding AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ to physicians follows:

The <name of accredited CME provider> certifies that <name of physician > <degree> has participated in the <learning format> titled <title of activity> on <date of activity> and is awarded  <number of credits> AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s).^TM

You will find information on the requirements on the AMA PRA Credit System Requirements, in the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award and credit system and the very helpful frequently asked questions for CME providers.