CME Activity and Attendance Records Retention
- Attendance Records: An accredited provider must have mechanisms in place to record and, when authorized by the participating physician, verify participation for six years from the date of the CME activity. The accredited provider is free to choose whatever registration method works best for their organization and learners. The ACCME does not require sign-in sheets.
- Activity Documentation: An accredited provider is required to retain activity files/records of CME activity planning and presentation during the current accreditation term or for the last twelve months, whichever is longer.
ACCME-accredited providers must maintain specific CME activity records. Records retention requirements relate to the following two topics: Attendance Records and Activity Documentation. Maintenance of this documentation enables the provider to meet the requirements for annual year-end reporting and reaccreditation review.
Additionally, this policy may be of assistance to a provider should a complaint be filed. If the ACCME receives a complaint about an accredited provider, the ACCME may ask the provider to respond according to the ACCME’s Policy Regarding Inquiries and Allegations of Noncompliance. As specified in the procedure, an accredited provider must be accountable for any complaint received by the ACCME for 12 months from the date a live activity ended, or in the case of a series, 12 months from the date of the session which is in question. Providers are accountable for an enduring material during the period of time it is being offered for CME, and 12 months thereafter.