Every practitioner knows how critical reporting accrued CME hours is to their board certification and license. To avoid having a lapsed medical license, expired credentials, or facing financial penalties, it’s important to take steps to remedy the situation in case you miss the submission deadline.
Some of the critical deadlines for 2025 you need to know include the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) set on March 31st, and the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) CME set on September 30th.
Are You Certain You Missed The CME Deadline?
Before taking any remedial steps, you need to be sure you’ve missed the deadline. Ensure you have the following information at hand:
- Reporting Requirements: State licensing boards and specialty boards, like the American Board of Anesthesiology, require CME reporting within a two-year cycle, depending on the year you first obtained your license. So if you didn’t report at the end of year one, you don’t have to worry.
- Are your CMEs automatically being accrued? To find out, check your account with your certifying organization. Organizations like the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) are regularly updated on CMEs by approved providers.
- Are the CMEs you have accrued over the past year updated in the system? Be sure to enquire because mistakes made during the online filing of your CME can prevent them from being recorded accurately.
Missed Your CME Deadline? Here’s What You Should Do:
Once you’ve double-checked and are sure you have missed the deadline for reporting your CMEs, you need to find out the reason. This is important as it affects which steps you will take to limit the repercussions.
You can remedy a missed CME deadline by:
- Getting in touch with your state's medical board or licensing agency immediately: While doing this, ensure all the necessary CME documentation is readily available, including your license renewal application, certificates, and your state board ID. You can use the Federation of State Medical Boards website to find their contact information.
- Apply for a Waiver or Extension: Provided it’s your first time to fail meeting the deadline, you may be eligible for extensions or grace periods to allow you to catch up, depending on which medical board licensed you. Certifying organizations, like the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), allows for a one month extension to complete your CME requirements, often for a fee.
Some organizations grant exemptions or waivers for healthcare professionals working outside the United States for a period of 12 months. The American Osteopathic Association allows you to benefit from CME reductions, exemptions, and waivers if you serve in the military, have a medical disability, or are on maternity leave.
- Make Up Missed Credits: If you can’t get an extension, you'll need to earn the required CME credits by doing the following:
- Participate in Live Activities offered by accredited CME conferences and workshops in your area.
- Study using Online Resources: Many organizations offer free online CME courses that can help you claim credits.
- Get a list of accredited CME providers from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
Conclusion
If you miss the CME deadline, states like California may allow a one-time license renewal while you accumulate credits, but not again until you're fully compliant. Others require you to renew your membership if deadlines are missed. To avoid these setbacks, it’s best to stay organized and keep up with CME requirements to maintain your license and professional standing.
How CMEList Can Help
CMEList offers board-approved online CME activities to help you claim credits and maintain your certification. Complete your CME obligations with confidence and ease by exploring our courses today.