After completing a continuing medical education (CME) course, the provider sends you a certificate. Then, you do another, and they send you another document. And another, and another, until you have folders full of them on your computer. Where’s that one certificate from a few months ago, anyway?
What if we told you there was an easier way to track CME credits? You can easily store, organize and transfer documents using a CME tracker. So, what exactly is a CME tracker, what benefits or features should it have and why do you need to track your credits anyway?
What Is a Free CME Tracker?
Rather than cluttering your desktop with certificates, there’s another way to keep track of credits: a CME tracker.
Essentially, a tracker is a centralized area for all your CME documents. You can store certifications and other materials, often from multiple CME providers, making it easy to access what you need.
Benefits of CME Trackers
When searching for a CME tracker, there are a few key features that it should have, including:
- Price: A high-quality CME storage platform should be available for free. You paid for and earned the credits, so having access to them shouldn’t be tied to a subscription.
- Access: With a free tracker, there’s no chance of subscription lapse, which would block access. Instead, you need only a login to manage your CME documents.
Ease of use: The platform should be straightforward, fast and easy to use. Whether you want to upload or download something, the CME tracker has you covered. - Credit calculator: Keep tabs on your CME goals in the tracker with the help of a “credit calculator”! This feature logs progress automatically, eliminating the need for manual calculations.
If you can find a tracker that meets these requirements, you’ll save time and energy on CME tracking—and make reporting easier.
What Is CME Reporting?
Now that you understand the best ways to track CME, it’s integral to go over the why—that is, CME reporting. A tracker makes it easier to accurately report CME credits to employers, medical boards and associations.
There are several ways to report CME, though the one you select may vary depending on the specific requirements of your employer, specialty or state. These include:
- Manual: Sometimes, you must send hard copies of official forms and certificates to the appropriate authorities. Since these go by mail, it’s crucial to be mindful of deadlines.
- Automatic: Automatic reporting allows CME providers to send your information and documents to an organization.
- Self-reporting: While most physicians need to focus on AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™—which falls into one of the submission methods above—you can self-report other credits. AMA PRA Category 2 Credits™ often don’t come with certificates of completion, so it’s your responsibility to submit accurate reports.
When tracking CME, you should read all requirements from the places you’re submitting them to know how and when to send them. If the CME tracker can send the information directly to participating groups, that’s less work for you.
What Documentation Do You Need?
The types of documents or certificates you need vary depending on the activity and submission requirements. In general, here is the kind of information you may have to supply:
- Certificate of attendance (non-physicians)
- AMA Physicians Recognition Award
- CME transcripts
- Certificate of participation for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits
- Other specialized forms
Quality CME trackers should let you upload these and supporting materials, making it easier to store them for future reference.
Track CME Documentation for Free With CertStore
Make storing and organizing CME documents simple with CertStore. Our platform is available to all CME Seminars customers, allowing you to track accredited activities. Plus, the built-in credit calculator helps you stay on top of your CME goals.
Sign-up is simple (and free): After attending a live or on-demand course, use your CME Seminars account to register for CertStore!