AAPA

Program Basics Application Deadlines Forms and Documents Learning Objectives Educational Grants

Add to Calendar of Upcoming Events Language to Publish Prior to Approval Required Terminology Chapter Lecture Series Appeal Process

Program Basics

• AAPA’s CME standards must be strictly followed.
• CME applications for conferences must be submitted to AAPA at least 4 weeks in advance. Applications for short programs (lasting no longer than 2 hours) must be received at least 2 weeks in advance. Retroactive CME applications will not be accepted.
• It is recommended that you contact AAPA before finalizing an agreement with a pharmaceutical company. Failing to do so may make it difficult for AAPA to provide assistance.
• AAPA credit is based on clock hours, rounded to the nearest quarter hour.
• Programs are approved for one year from the date of the first presentation; therefore, exact replications may be presented during the following twelve months, provided content is exactly the same.
• Follow-up material must include summary of evaluation forms and a participant list, preferably submitted electronically by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Application Deadlines

• Conferences: 4 weeks in advance
• Short programs lasting no longer than 2 hours: 2 weeks in advance.
• Retroactive CME applications will not be accepted.

Forms and Documents

• AAPA's CME Standards
• Application forms (submit online OR download and submit by mail or fax)
• Faculty Disclosure Form
• How to write learning objectives
• Sessions Detail Worksheet
• Evaluation Form
• Sample Certificate
• Sample Flyer - Dinner Meetings
• Affiliation Form - Regional Chapters
• Affiliation Form - CME Groups
• PhRMA Code
• Conflicts of Interest - Policy
• Conflicts of Interest - Resolution Examples

Educational Grants

If you are applying for one or more educational grants for an upcoming conference, it is very likely that AAPA’s involvement will be required. Before AAPA staff can sign a letter of agreement on behalf of a PA organization, the grant assistance request form must be completed as indicated below.

Constituent organizations should read and complete the following form:

• Grant Assistance Request and Standards for Constituent Organizations
  
  This PDF form may be completed electronically and submitted by e-mail from within your PDF software.

Affiliates of constituent organizations should complete the following form:

• Grant Assistance Request for Affiliates
  
  This PDF form may be completed electronically but must be printed, signed by both the affiliate and constituent organization and returned to AAPA by mail or fax.

Add to AAPA's CME Calendar OF UPCOMING EVENTS

To add your conference to the Calendar of Upcoming Events, click here.

Language to Use Prior to CME approval

Many constituent organizations begin announcing an upcoming conference long before CME approval has been granted. Although final approval language may not be published until you have received notification from AAPA, you may publish the following three sentences before approval has been granted.

“This program is not yet approved for CME credit. Conference organizers plan to request ____ hours of AAPA Category I CME credit from the Physician Assistant Review Panel. Total number of approved credits yet to be determined.”

Use of AAPA's approval language before receiving notification that a program has been approved for CME credit may result in denial of credit.

Required Terminology

The following 3 terms are recognized by the entire CME community as having specific meaning. Proper use of these terms is required in all CME-related materials or AAPA credit may be denied.

Provider – Sponsor – Grantor/Supporter. . .and sample language

• Provider : The organization presenting the program. AAPA’s constituent organizations are the providers of state and specialty conferences.
  
  This program is provided by the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants.
• Sponsor : The organization that grants Category I CME credit. AAPA is the only sponsor for programs designated for PA credit.
  
  This program has been reviewed and is approved for a maximum of five hours of clinical Category I CME credit by the Physician Assistant Review Panel. Physician assistants should claim only those hours actually spent participating in the CME activity.
  
  This program was planned in accordance with AAPA’s CME Standards for Live Programs and for Commercial support of Live Programs.
• Grantor or Supporter : An organization providing financial support; often a pharmaceutical company or other member of industry.
  
  This program is supported by an educational grant from ABC Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  
  This session is supported by XYZ Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  
  Lunch is supported in part by a grant from ABC Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  
  The dinner presentation is supported by AAPA’s Chapter Lecture Series, which is underwritten by an educational grant from XYZ Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Appeal Process

Constituent Organizations who wish to appeal the decision of AAPA or to request an exception to policy should submit a written request to the Education Council within thirty (30) days of receipt of an adverse decision. The appeal should be submitted to the Education Council in care of Daniel Pace, 950 N. Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314-1552.