Part 2: Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment

  

SA-CME Requirement Eliminated for OLA Participants

2022 will be the final year that we will require diplomates completing their OLA annual progress requirement to complete self-assessment CME (SA-CME). All diplomates will still need to complete 75 Category 1 CME credits in the previous three-year period, but no SA-CME will be required after 2022. The OLA annual progress requirement is the number of questions a diplomate needs to answer each year. For most, this is 52 questions per year, but it will vary depending on how many certificates you are maintaining. Please see our recent blog for more information.   

SA-CME Activities

To satisfy Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Part 2, the ABR requires medical physics diplomates to attain 75 CE credits every three years, at least 25 of which must be credits from Self-Assessment CE (SA-CE) activities. There are three types of SA-CE activities:

• Self-Assessment Modules (SAMs). Created by societies and other organizations and prequalified by the ABR, SAMs are primarily podium presentations with a post-session assessment instrument. Some organizations call these “live SA-CE,” and others call them “SAMs.” Both terms are equivalent, with the number of credits determined by the CAMPEP- or ACCME-accredited category 1 CE provider.
• Enduring CAMPEP or AMA Category 1 CE offerings. Enduring activities are certified CE that endure over a specified time. These include print, audio, video and Internet materials such as monographs, podcasts, CD/DVD, archived webinars, and other web-based activities.
• Self-directed Educational Projects (SDEPs). Although not required, SDEPs may be counted as SA-CE credit. A maximum of one SDEP may be recorded yearly. Fifteen SA-CE credits are given for each completed SDEP, and project samples can be found on the ABR web­site. For more information on SDEP projects, click here.

Products without self-assessment instruments are eligible only for CE credit. Organizations offering CE, SAMs or SA-CE activities must be accredited by CAMPEP or the ACCME to do so. For more CE and SA-CE resources, see the ABMS Continuing Certification Directory.   

SAM Deemed Status Program (ending 12/31/2022)

2022 will be the final year that we will require diplomates completing their OLA annual progress requirement to complete self-assessment CME (SA-CME). As a result, the ABR’s SAM Deemed Status Program will end 12/31/2022. Please see our recent blog for more information. Under this program, societies and organizations with a favorable history of ABR-approved SAM offerings may apply for SAM Deemed Status by the ABR. This status allows them to develop and implement, without prior ABR review,  in-person (“live”) SAMs that satisfy certain ABR requirements. Those meeting the criteria may qualify their own SAMs. Once an organization is granted SAM Deemed Status, it is subject to regular audits to ensure SAM materials are meeting ABR standards. See the list of ABR Deemed Status Organizations here. If you need information about applying for SAM Deemed Status, please email information@theabr.org.