We all know how important it is to learn from relevant, high quality CME credits. But these credits mean nothing to your state medical board or employer if you can’t prove you earned them. Being able to quickly provide proof you completed your required credits is essential to maintaining good standing with these parties.

Why Tracking CME is Important

Multiple parties, including your state medical board and specialty organization, require continuing medical education. Exactly which bodies monitor your CME credits depends on where you live and work, as well as how you’re certified. Failing to meet these requirements can result in fines, suspended licenses, and even malpractice cases. To maintain your ability to practice, you’ll need to not only complete your required credits but be able to share proof of this completion with these organizations. It would be unfortunate to complete all of your required CME credits and simply fail to locate a certificate of completion or two.

Keep in mind organizations like your specialty association can audit your CME credits. Prepare to keep track of your completed continuing education for at least a few years. (The individual bodies you’re responsible for reporting CME credits to should be able to let you know how far back they will audit.)

How to Track CME Credits

There are many ways to track your CME certificates and overall progress toward required credits, ranging from low-tech to all-encompassing. The right CME tracking solution is whichever one helps you keep your CME certificates readily available for anyone who might need them.

• A File Folder: If printing CME certificates and placing them in a file folder has always worked for you, we won’t tell you to change your ways. Just make sure this folder is protected from office mishaps and natural disasters (including fire and flooding).
• Cloud-Based Storage: Most CME providers will send your CME certificates in a digital format. Simply move the files into a folder in Google Drive or other similar virtual storage solution.
• CME Passport: The ACCME offers this solution to storing and tracking CME credits, as well as generating CME transcripts.
• CertStore: CME providers like our sister company CME Seminars also offer CME tracking and storage solutions. CertStore stands out from other similar platforms because you can upload certificates from any source. It also includes a credit calculator to ensure you’re on track to meet all CME requirements. CertStore is free to use for anyone with a CME Seminars account!