Reporting CME
When you participate in a continuing medical education event/program sponsored by the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) and are an MAFP member, MAFP staff report your CME to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) on your behalf.
If you participate in a CME event not hosted/sponsored by the MAFP, you will need to report your CME to the AAFP directly.
How to Report CME to the AAFP:
- Report online via the AAFP website. Click on “Report CME” and follow the instructions. Of note: You will need your member ID number to access your information. You can also view your transcript, see already purchased CME, get access to FAQs on CME credit and reporting and more via the CME section on the AAFP website.
- Report by mail. Send a list with the title, date, location and sponsor of each CME activity, along with the number of hours attended and your complete name and address, to AAFP, 11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Leawood, KS 66211-2672.
Questions on reporting CME? Contact the AAFP at 800-274-8043 or contact the MAFP.
NEW! The Continuous Certification 5-Year Cycle
To meet the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Assessment Standards for Continuing Certification updated on January 1, 2024, the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) will begin the transition to Certification 2025 (the new Continuous Certification 5-Year Cycle) on January 1, 2025.
At a Glance
The ABMS standard for continuing certification states that “member boards must determine an interval no longer than five years of whether a Diplomate is meeting continuing certification requirements to retain each certificate.” This change will help Diplomates maintain awareness of increasingly rapid medical advancements and changes in practice guidelines.
When will the 5-Year Cycle Begin?
Every ABFM Diplomate will be enrolled in the new 5-Year Cycle when their next exam requirement is due.
Transitioning to the 5-Year Cycle
You will not be required to transition to the new 5-Year Cycle any earlier than 10 years from when you last met your exam requirement. For example, if you met your last exam requirement in 2022, you will not be required to transition to the new 5-Year Cycle until 2032.
5-Year Cycle Requirements
- Certification Exam: Answer 25 board exam questions provided every quarter (longitudinal assessment) or opt to take the one-day exam. A total of 300 questions must be answered over 4 years, (same number of questions as is on the one-day exam). Questions can be completed in 3 years if desired.
- Certification Activities: Earn 60 certification points (over the 5-year cycle) through Self-Assessment and Performance Improvement activities.
- Continuing Medical Education: Earn 200 CME credits (over 5 years).
- Professionalism and Licensure: Continuously comply with ABFM’s Guidelines for Professionalism, Licensure, and Personal Conduct, which includes maintaining active, valid, and full license(s) to practice medicine in the United States or Canada.
- Annual Fee: Submit annual certification fee.
Benefits
The 5-Year Cycle provides the choice to customize how you meet your certification requirements! Benefits of the new certification process include:
- Never have to take the one-day exam again to maintain your certification unless you want to.
- Ongoing learning by answering 25 quarterly exam questions (longitudinal assessment) and receiving immediate feedback.
- More time and flexibility to complete your certification activities.
- A fifth year off if you complete all requirements in four years.
- Built-in time to complete remaining requirements, if needed.
To determine when you will transition to the 5-Year Cycle, please visit your MyABFM Portfolio.
To learn more about requirements for the 5-Year Cycle, visit theabfm.org.
