Continuing Medical Education (CME) Accreditation for University of Florida Physicians

Why CME Is Essential

Physicians must maintain competence and keep pace with advances in medical science throughout their careers. In Florida, as in all U.S. states, physicians are required to earn a specified number of CME credits during each licensure renewal period. CME ensures that physicians provide safe, evidencebased care and meet the expectations of patients, hospitals, and regulatory agencies.

University of Florida (UF) as a CME Provider

The University of Floridas College of Medicine, the UF Health system, and affiliated entities are recognized by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) as an official CME provider. This designation allows UF to design, deliver, and evaluate CME activities that meet national standards for educational quality, independence, and effectiveness.

Key ACCME Criteria

• Educational Effectiveness: Activities must be based on a needs assessment and demonstrate measurable outcomes.
• Independence: Content must be free from commercial bias; faculty must disclose financial relationships.
• Transparency: Providers must publicly disclose accreditation status, policies, and reporting mechanisms.

Types of CME Activities Offered by UF

UF delivers a broad spectrum of CME formats to accommodate different learning styles and schedules:

• Live Conferences & Symposia: Inperson events held at UF Health Jacksonville, Gainesville, and other campuses.
• Webinars & Virtual Lectures: Synchronous and ondemand online sessions accessible via the UF CME portal.
• Interactive Workshops: Handson skill labs, simulation training, and procedure workshops.
• JournalBased CME: Accredited activities linked to peerreviewed articles.
• SelfStudy Modules: Accredited elearning courses that can be completed at the learners own pace.

Accreditation Process for UF Physicians

Physicians employed by UF or affiliated hospitals automatically have access to UFs accredited CME portfolio, but they must still follow a few steps to receive credit:

1. Register: Create or log into the UF CME online portal using the UF ID.
2. Select Activity: Choose a CME activity that fits the required credit type (e.g., AMA PRA Category 1 Credit).
3. Complete the Activity: Participate in the event, watch the recorded session, or finish the selfstudy module.
4. Evaluate & Reflect: Fill out the postactivity evaluation and a brief reflection on learning objectives.
5. Obtain Certificate: Download or print the electronic certificate, which includes the activity ID, credit amount, and expiration date.

Tracking and Reporting Credits

The UF CME portal integrates with the AMAs Physicians Recognition Award (PRA) system. After completing an activity, the credit is automatically reported to the AMA database, simplifying the licensure renewal process. Physicians can also generate custom reports showing total credits earned, credit types, and activity dates.

Special Considerations for UF Physicians

Licensure Requirements

Florida Board of Medicine mandates 30 CME credits every two years, of which at least 2 must be in pain management and 2 in ethics/ professionalism. UFs curriculum includes designated courses that fulfill these statemandated categories.

Maintenance of Certification (MOC)

Many specialties require MOC participation. UF offers MOCaligned activities that provide both CME credit and Part2 or Part3 MOC points, helping physicians meet specialty board requirements without duplicate coursework.

Interprofessional Education (IPE)

UF encourages collaborative learning with nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals. IPE activities earn CME credits for physicians while granting continuing education (CE) credits for other disciplines, fostering teambased care.

Quality Assurance & Feedback

All UF CME activities undergo a rigorous evaluation cycle:

• Preactivity needs assessment based on practice gaps.
• Postactivity surveys measuring satisfaction, relevance, and intent to change practice.
• Followup assessments (when feasible) to document actual practice change.

Feedback is reviewed by the UF CME Committee, which uses the data to refine future offerings and maintain ACCME compliance.

How to Get Started

1. Visit the UF CME website and create your profile.
2. Review the annual CME calendar and identify activities that meet your licensure and specialty requirements.
3. Register, attend, and complete the required evaluation.
4. Download your certificate and verify that the credit appears in the AMA PRA portal.

For questions about specific activities, credit eligibility, or technical support, contact the UF CME office at cme@ufl.edu or call (352) 5551234.