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Setting the highest certification standards for psychiatrists and neurologists since 1934

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

  • Diplomates are required to complete an average of 30 specialty and/or subspecialty CME credits per year, averaged over three years.
    • CME activities completed for one specialty/subspecialty will satisfy the requirement for another specialty/subspecialty.
  • CME can be ANY Category 1 credits relevant to one’s field of practice.
  • ABPN is not a CME provider so diplomates can choose their own Category 1 CME activities through professional societies, healthcare institutions, etc.
  • Diplomates choose their own CME activities. CME activities do not need to be ABPN approved.
    • Diplomates can earn 60 AMA PRA Category-1 CME credits from the American Medical Association (AMA) after the diplomate’s three-year Continuing Certification cycle has ended. CME credit can only be claimed once for each three-year period, even if a diplomate completes additional Continuing Certification activities for other specialties or subspecialties.
    • Diplomates can use the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Continuing Certification Directory to search for CME activities by topic and/or CME activity type.
  • Sixteen Self-Assessment CME must be met over three years and must involve ABPN-approved Self-Assessment activities.

Acceptable CME credits are Category 1 CME accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Category 1A CME accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or Category 1 CME accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Read our CC Booklet for more information.