FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions 

I attended an activity. Where can I find my certificate?
If you have already recorded your attendance (typically completed at the end of the activity), go to the My CME > Evaluations and Certificates menu above. You may need to complete the activity's evaluation before earning a certificate. If you do not see the activity listed, check to be sure the page's start and end dates are are inclusive of the date of the activity. If you still do not see your activity, contact us at [email protected].


What is the difference between a certificate and a transcript?
Certificates provide documentation of credits for a single program or activity. Transcripts provide a comprehensive documentation of all credits earned with WSU CME programs. Importantly, certificates only remain available in CloudCME for 3 months whereas transcripts maintain information indefinitely. You can access your transcript from the My CME > Transcript menu above.


I want to accredit my program/activity for CME. Do I need to submit an application? 
An application is required to request CME credits for your activity or program. Our application process is completed online. You will be provided access to the application portal after meeting with a representative from WSU CME. 


From whom do you accept applications? 
Currently we are only accepting new applications from WSU entities, e.g. departments in the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, or other groups within WSU Health Sciences. We are not accepting applications for new activities planned by outside organizations or non-WSU entities (see Policy). 


What does the CME application process look like? 
At the initial discovery meeting we'll ask for details about your activity such as format, learning objectives, faculty, needs assessment, and gap analysis. Following the meeting, we will open your online application and schedule a meeting to provide a brief tour of how the online application functions. As part of the application, all individuals on the planning committee will need to submit a disclosure of financial relationships. We will provide more guidance on how to have the system collect these disclosures. Once all disclosures are received and you have submitted the application, WSU CME moves forward with the review and approval process. We will notify you of your approval status and provide information for next steps, including how your learners can claim credit. 


Is there anything I should do to prepare for a discovery meeting? 
Though not required, it may be helpful for you to consider the following in advance of the discovery meeting: 

  • Who will be involved with the design, delivery, and administration of the activity?
  • Do you have their credentials and contact information? 
  • Learning objectives for the program or activity
  • Needs Assessment (i.e., how did you determine there was a need for this learning activity and what documentation do you have demonstrating that need?)
  • Gap Analysis (i.e., what is the gap between best practice and current practice and how does this program address those gaps?)


How long does it take for a CME application to be approved? 
We aim to move applications through the review and approval process as quickly as possible; however, some programs can require additional layers of review to ensure they meet accreditation standards. We recommend you submit your application 60 days prior to the date you want to begin advertising your accredited activity or program. 


Is there a fee associated with requesting CME? 
Please review the CME Fee Schedule. If you're not sure of the category for your project, please contact us. 


How long is accreditation approved? 

  • Live activities are approved for one year from the date of the first activity. This means that you can repeat that same content within the one year window under the same accreditation.  
  • Regularly Scheduled Series (RSS) are approved for one year from the date of the first activity.  
  • Enduring content, such as eLearning or recorded webinars, can be accredited for up to three years inclusive of an annual review to ensure content remains current and valid. 


What if I want to repeat a program that was previously approved for CME? 
The process will be similar. If most of the details remain the same, we can typically duplicate the prior application and begin the review and approval process. 


What are the different types of activities that can qualify for CME? 
In order for a learning opportunity to qualify for AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM the content should be addressing an identified need for healthcare practitioners. Activities can be live (in-person, virtual, or hybrid), enduring (such as eLearning or recorded lectures), journal-based, test item writing, manuscript review, performance improvement, internet point-of-care learning, or other instructional formats appropriate to learners. 


I already have a recurring series approved for CME. How do I provide information about an upcoming offering that is part of that series? 
Please submit an activity information form, which provides all the details we need to build the activity in CloudCME. We will follow-up with information on how your learners can claim credit. Please submit the form at least one week before the activity. 


Can I offer continuing education credits from other accrediting organizations (ANCC, ACPE, etc.)? 
During the initial discovery meeting, please mention that you are interested in offering additional CE credits. Often, we can partner with other accredited providers at WSU to see what's possible. Many of our current CME activities are also accredited under WSU College of Nursing (ANCC) and/or WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (ACPE) credits. 


Where can I learn more about how WSU's guidelines for CME reflect ACCME best practices? 
Please review WSU's Guidelines for Ensuring Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education for more information on this topic. 


Where can I learn about AMA PRA Category 2 CreditTM ?  
AMA PRA Category 2 CreditTM is self-designated and self-claimed by individual physicians for participation in educational activities not certified for AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM and need to meet certain criteria. Visit the American Medical Academy Credits page to learn more. 


What are the ACCME accreditation criteria and standards? 
Please visit the ACCME Accreditation Criteria page to learn more about criteria and standards.