02-383 C.M.R. ch. 2, § 11 - UNIFORM CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (CME) REQUIREMENTS AND DEFINITIONS

In order to qualify to renew a license, a physician assistant must meet the following CME requirements:

1. Requirements

A. Each physician assistant who possesses an active license shall complete, during each biennial licensing period, a minimum of one hundred (100) credit hours of continuing medical education subject to the following:

(1) At least fifty (50) hours must be in Category 1 (as defined by this rule);

(2) The total one hundred (100) hours may be in Category 1.

(3) Fifty (50) credit hours may be in Category 2 (as defined by this rule).

B. If the required CME is not completed and submitted, then an inactive status license renewal will be issued unless the Board has granted an extension of time or deferment as described in Subsection 2C below.

C. Proof of current NCCPA certification at the time an application for renewal is submitted satisfies CME requirements.

D. CME for Opioid Prescribing

Physician assistants must complete 3 hours of Category 1 credit CME every two years on the prescribing of opioid medication as required by Board Rule Chapter 21 "Use of Controlled Substances for Treatment of Pain."

2. Definitions of CME Categories

A. Category 1 CME includes:

(1) CME programs sponsored or co-sponsored by an organization or institution accredited by: the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA); the American Medical Association Council on Medical Education (AMA); the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME); the American Academy of Family Practice (AAFP); the Committee on Continuing Medical Education of the Maine Medical Association (MMA); the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); or the Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA). Programs will be properly identified as such by approved sponsoring or co-sponsoring organizations. VALUE: One (1) credit hour per hour of participation. VERIFICATION: Certificate of completion, if requested by the Board as part of a CME audit.

(2) Papers or articles published in peer reviewed medical journals (journals included in Index Medicus) VALUE: Ten (10) credit hours for each article. Limit one article per year. VERIFICATION: Copy of first page of article, if requested by the Board as part of a CME audit.

(3) Poster preparation for an exhibit at a meeting designated for AMA/AOA/AAPA category 1 credit, with a published abstract. VALUE: Five (5) credit hours per poster. Limit one poster per year. VERIFICATION: Copy of program with abstract and presenter identified, if requested by the Board as part of CME audit.

(4) Teaching or presentation in activities designated for AMA/AOA/AAPA category 1 Credit, VALUE: Two (2) credit hours for each hour of preparation and presentation of new and original material. Limit ten (10) hours per year. VERIFICATION: Copy of program from activity, if requested by the Board as part of CME audit.

(5) Medically related degrees, i.e. MPH, Ph.D. VALUE: Twenty-five (25) credit hours per year. VERIFICATION: Certified copy of diploma or transcript, if requested by the Board as part of CME audit.

(6) Postgraduate training or advanced specialty training. VALUE: Fifty (50) credit hours per year. VERIFICATION: Certified copy of diploma or transcript, if requested by the Board as part of CME audit.

(7) Other programs developed or approved from time to time by the Board. VALUE: Determined by the Board at the time of approval. VERIFICATION: Determined by the Board at the time of approval.

B. Category 2 CME includes:

(1) CME programs with non-accredited sponsorship, i.e. those not meeting the definition of Category 1 as defined in Subsection 2(A) above. VALUE: One (1) credit hour per hour of participation.

(2) Medical teaching of medical students, interns, residents, fellows, practicing physicians, or allied professionals. VALUE: One (1) credit hour per hour of teaching.

(3) Authoring papers, publications, books, or book chapters, not meeting the definition of Category 1 as defined in Subsection 2(A) above. VALUE: Ten (10) credit hours per publication. Limit ten (10) hours per year.

(4) Non-supervised individual activities, i.e. journal reading, peer review activities, self-assessment programs which are not sponsored by an accredited Category 1 organization. VALUE: One (1) credit hour per hour of participation.

C. Exceptions to CME requirements

(1) The Board, at its discretion, may grant an extension of time or deferment to a licensee who because of prolonged illness, undue hardship, or other extenuating circumstances has been unable to meet the requirements of CME.

(2) CME will be prorated during the first licensure period.

(3) CME requirements will be stayed for physician assistants called to active military duty according to current Board policy.

D. Evidence of completion

Board staff shall perform random audits of CME.

Notes

02-383 C.M.R. ch. 2, § 11