ACS Trauma Center CME Requirements
TMD and TPMs at level 1 and level 2 trauma centers need to earn 36 credits of trauma related CME every 3 years.
Trauma Medical Directors (TMD) and Trauma Program Managers (TPM) at Level 1 and Level 2 trauma centers must meet the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) CME requirements. In this post, we tell you how to meet those requirements.
Do I need trauma CME?
Maybe. If you are a Trauma Medical Director (TMD) or a Trauma Program Manager (TPM), and you work at an ACS Level 1 or Level 2 trauma center, the answer is yes. If you work at a Level 1 or 2 trauma center, but you are not the TMD or TPM, the answer is no.
What trauma CME do I need to earn as the Trauma Medical Director (TMD)?
Your ACS requirements for CME are straightforward.
- Earn a total of 36 trauma-related credits every 3 years, all of which are AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
- If your center is also a pediatric trauma center, 9 of those 36 credits need to be pediatric trauma specific credit.
- The 36 credits can be accumulated as 12 credits annually.
What trauma CME do I need to earn as the Trauma Program Manager (TPM)?
Your CME requirements as a TPM are the same as for your TMD:
- Earn a total of 36 trauma-related CME credits every 3 years.
- If your center is also a pediatric trauma center, 9 of those 36 credits need to be pediatric trauma specific CME credit.
- The 36 credits can be accumulated as 12 CME credits annually.
Can my board certification or recertification count as CME?
Maybe. Did you become board certified or re-certified during the current 3-year cycle? If so, you can claim 33 credits towards your 36 trauma credits.
Note that you can only claim these 33 credits once during each 3 year cycle.
Where can I earn trauma CME credit?
There are many places to earn trauma CME, including live conferences and online courses. There are also free options and paid options, and the overall tradeoffs are usually related to time and quality.
One paid option is Orbit Trauma, which allows you to earn all of your required trauma credits (including pediatric trauma) in one place by reading eligible journal abstracts and articles. Learn more about earning your trauma credits here.
Questions? We're glad to help. Email support@orbitcme.com
