ECFMG Continuing Medical Education Standards 2 â Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many AMA PRA Category 1 Credits⢠are typically required per year for ECFMG-certified physicians maintaining their certification?
- 10 credits
- 20 credits (Correct answer)
- 30 credits
- 50 credits
Correct answer: 20 credits
ECFMG-certified physicians are generally expected to maintain approximately 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits⢠per year as part of ongoing CME requirements.
Question 2: Which organization accredits CME providers whose credits are accepted for ECFMG-related certification maintenance?
- American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
- Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) (Correct answer)
- Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)
- National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)
Correct answer: Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
The ACCME is the primary body that accredits CME providers in the US, and ACCME-accredited credits are accepted for maintaining medical licenses and certifications.
Question 3: A physician completed a CME activity focused on improving diagnostic accuracy in radiology. Under which ACCME core competency does this primarily fall?
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Medical knowledge (Correct answer)
- Patient care and procedural skills
- Systems-based practice
Correct answer: Medical knowledge
CME activities focused on improving diagnostic accuracy directly address Medical Knowledge, one of the six ACGME/ACCME core competencies.
Question 4: What distinguishes AMA PRA Category 1 Credits⢠from Category 2 credits in CME?
- Category 1 credits require a minimum score on a post-test; Category 2 do not
- Category 1 credits are earned from ACCME-accredited activities; Category 2 are self-designated (Correct answer)
- Category 1 credits can only be earned at in-person events; Category 2 are online only
- Category 1 credits apply only to primary care physicians; Category 2 apply to specialists
Correct answer: Category 1 credits are earned from ACCME-accredited activities; Category 2 are self-designated
Category 1 credits come from formally accredited CME activities, while Category 2 credits are self-designated by physicians for other educational activities.
Question 5: An IMG applying for ECFMG certification asks about CME requirements. Which statement is most accurate?
- CME requirements must be completed before ECFMG certification is granted
- CME is not required for initial ECFMG certification but is required for licensure and specialty board recertification (Correct answer)
- ECFMG mandates 100 CME hours specifically before issuing certification
- CME requirements apply only to physicians over age 50
Correct answer: CME is not required for initial ECFMG certification but is required for licensure and specialty board recertification
Initial ECFMG certification does not have a CME prerequisite; however, state licensure and specialty board maintenance of certification programs impose CME requirements.
Question 6: Which type of CME activity is classified as performance improvement (PI CME)?
- Attending a medical conference lecture
- Completing a structured quality improvement project with pre- and post-measurement (Correct answer)
- Reading a peer-reviewed journal article and completing a quiz
- Participating in a grand rounds presentation
Correct answer: Completing a structured quality improvement project with pre- and post-measurement
PI CME involves a three-stage cycle of identifying practice gaps, implementing changes, and measuring outcomes, making structured QI projects the defining example.
Question 7: If a state medical board requires 50 CME hours per biennial renewal cycle, how many must typically be AMA PRA Category 1 Credits�
- All 50 must be Category 1
- At least 25 must be Category 1 (Correct answer)
- No Category 1 requirement exists; all can be Category 2
- Category 1 credits are not recognized by state boards
Correct answer: At least 25 must be Category 1
Most state medical boards require that a minimum of half the required CME hours be AMA PRA Category 1 Creditsâ˘, with the remainder potentially being Category 2.
ECFMG Continuing Medical Education Standards 2
How many AMA PRA Category 1 Credits⢠are typically required per year for ECFMG-certified physicians maintaining their certification?