Earning AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Just Got Easier
Did you know that TrueLearn now offers continuing medical education (CME) credits for anesthesiologists, general surgeons, neurologists, and OBGYNs? You can earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ online just by answering practice questions.
Whether you’re a physician aiming to meet state licensure requirements, maintain board certification, or simply stay updated on the latest advancements in your field, continuing medical education plays a crucial role in professional development.
Let’s break down what AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are, why they matter, and how to earn them, making it easier for you to maximize your CME efforts and ensure you stay on track with your career goals.
What are AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™?
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award Category 1 Credits) are a standard unit of CME measurement for physicians and other healthcare professionals. They are awarded to those who participate in accredited educational activities that meet the standards set by the AMA. These credits are essential for maintaining licensure, certification, and hospital privileges.
Key Features of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
- Eligibility: Physicians, including MDs and DOs, primarily use these credits, but other healthcare professionals (e.g., PAs, NPs) can also use them for continuing education.
- Accredited Activities: Credits can be earned through activities like live conferences, workshops, seminars, online courses, and enduring materials, such as journals or recorded sessions.
- Requirements for Activities: The educational activity must be certified by an accredited provider, have a learning objective, be evidence-based, and be free of commercial bias.
- Documentation: Physicians must maintain records of their earned credits, typically through certificates of completion issued by the accredited CME provider.
- Credit Use: Credits are used to fulfill state medical licensing requirements, hospital credentialing, and specialty board certification or maintenance of certification (MOC).
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are a critical component of CME for professionals, ensuring they stay updated with current medical knowledge and best practices.
How They Differ from Category 2 Credits
While Category 1 Credits must be provided by an accredited CME provider (e.g., hospitals, universities, specialty societies), Category 2 Credits do not require certification by an accredited provider. They are self-directed learning activities, such as reading medical literature or discussing cases with peers, and are self-reported using a log or description of the activity and time spent.
Both types of credits contribute to a physician’s professional development, AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are more rigorously vetted and generally hold more value in meeting mandatory CME requirements.
How to Earn Category 1 Credits
Typically, one AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ represents about an hour of participation in an approved educational activity. However, the exact time can vary depending on the nature of the activity. Some activities, like courses or seminars, may offer multiple credits based on their length and depth. You can earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ in a variety of ways, but arguably the most convenient method is to take an online CME course.
To earn 50 CME credits from TrueLearn, you just have to complete 200 practice questions. We now offer AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for four major clinical practice areas:
Simply complete the practice questions, submit your credits through CME University, and receive your certificate to download for your files.
Other Ways to Earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Of course there are other ways you can earn CME credits. These include, but aren’t necessarily limited to:
- Attending a live conference
- Publishing work in peer-reviewed, professional journal
- Writing test items, contributing to the development of high-stake examinations
- Peer-reviewing manuscripts for journals
- Demonstrating improved performance
When choosing an activity, always ensure that the program is accredited for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ by an organization approved by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) or another relevant accrediting body. Proper documentation and certificates of completion are also necessary to claim and report your credits.
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