The American Medical Association (AMA) maintains the AMA PRA Credit System to ensure its members, MDs and DOs, participate in relevant continuing education. While physicians are the primary audience of the AMA, the dozens of accredited CME providers designating their continuing education activities for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ often build courses applicable to many types of providers.
In many cases, non-physicians can use AMA PRA Category 1 Credit to renew their board certifications and state licenses. Non-physicians will not receive a CME Certificate for participating; however, PAs, NP, and other types of practitioners will receive a Certificate of Participation to document their continuing education hours. For most non-physicians, the most important thing to consider when choosing CME is not how the course is accredited but rather if it’s relevant to their practice and patients.
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit for Nurse Practitioners
Every NP is certified by one of five certification boards. Your continuing education requirements for recertification depend on which board you’re certified through. All five boards accept at least some AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. In addition to your certification board’s requirements, you’ll need to meet your state’s license requirements, which may include CE. NPs are required to hold a valid RN license to practice as well; some states may require continuing education for RN licensure.
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
NPs must review every five years with 100 CE contact hours, 25 of which must be in pharmacology. The AANPCB does not enforce specific CE activities; instead, it allows for NPs to complete credit hours approved by an accredited medical education provider, as long as the content is relevant to the practitioner’s role.
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Every five years, NPs must complete 75 CE contact hours directly related to their role. At least 60 of the 75 hours must be formal CE, which includes AMA PRA Category 1 Credit, and 25 hours must be in pharmacology.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
While there are several ways to recertify through the AACN, multiple options include CE points. Every five years, NPs choosing to recertify this way must submit 150 CE points, or hours, with at least 75 in what the AACN calls Category 1 Acute Care Education Programs. At least 50 of these hours must be relevant formal CE and at least 25 of these formal CE points must be in pharmacology. No more than 50% of an NP’s Category 1 CE points can be from CME.
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
Every year, PNCB-certified NPs must complete 15 relevant contact hours. Every 7 years, practitioners must complete 15 hours of pharmacology CE. The PNCB accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.
National Certification Corporation (NCC)
Unlike other certification organizations, the amount of continuing education you’re required to complete to renew your certification is determined by how well you do on the Continuing Competency Assessment, taken at the beginning of every three-year maintenance cycle. NPs will need to complete between 5 and 45 hours of CE during the following three years. The NCC recognizes AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.
Does the AANP Accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit?
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for NPs, advocating for the profession and offering continuing education opportunities for members. Members must be certified NPs through one of the five certification boards mentioned above. However, the AANP itself is not a certification body and does not require CE hours directly.
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit for Other APRNs
APRNs must complete continuing education to meet recertification requirements. Depending on the state they practice in, licensure may also require CE hours.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
CRNAs certified through the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) must participate in 60 “Class A” credits every four years to fulfill the MAC Ed portion of their recertification requirements. These credits can be ACCME-accredited, including AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. However, the organization recommends nurse anesthetists find continuing education advertised as MAC Ed-approved.
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) requires 20 contact hours of relevant, approved continuing education every five years. AMA PRA Category 1 Credit is an approved accreditation program.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Clinical nurse specialists are board certified with either the ANCC or the AACN and follow the same continuing education requirements as NPs certified through these organizations.
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit for Physician Associates
Physician associates (PAs) certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years. At least 50 of these hours must be Category 1 credits. The NCCPA accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit from providers accredited by the ACCME. PAs must also complete any continuing education required by their state licensing board.
Does the AAPA Accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit?
The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) is the national professional society of PAs, providing advocacy and education. While members must be board certified, they are not certified through the AAPA. Therefore, the AAPA does not require any CME directly.