Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education

About the Standards

The Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education are designed to:

• Ensure that accredited continuing education serves the needs of patients and the public
• Present learners with only accurate, balanced, scientifically justified recommendations
• Assure learners they can trust accredited continuing education to help them deliver, safe, effective, cost-effective, and compassionate care that is based on best practice and evidence
• Create a clear, unbridgeable separation between accredited continuing education and marketing and sales.

The Standards were released in December 2020 and went into effect on January 1, 2022, replacing the Standards for Commercial Support: Standards to Ensure Independence in CME Activities.

Accredited CME providers need to comply with the Standards that are applicable to their organizations by January 1, 2022.

Adoption by Accrediting Bodies

The Standards have been adopted by accrediting bodies representing multiple health professions and the principles are incorporated into international guidelines for continuing professional development for health professionals. 

• Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
• Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
• American Academy of PAs (AAPA) 
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry’s Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (ARBO/COPE)
• Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education™
• American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP)