CME Audit

To ensure the reliability and accuracy of the CME logging, review, and approval processes, NCCPA audits the Category I CME submissions for randomly selected PAs after each two-year certification maintenance cycle.

PAs selected for auditing are required to submit appropriate documentation to support their Category I hours.  Those PAs who fail the audit because they reported Category I CME hours that could not be substantiated or that were erroneously reported and approved as Category I activities will retain certification but will be audited again during the next two-year certification maintenance cycle and, beginning with the 2006-2008 audit cycle, will be subject to the following additional requirements which must be completed prior to the expiration of their current two-year NCCPA certificate including:

(1) Any Category 1 hours that could not be substantiated must be replaced with valid, appropriately-documented Category I hours.
(2) A Re-audit Fee must be paid.

In the second audit, PAs are required to submit appropriate documentation as they log their Category I hours.  If all required hours (including replacement hours) are not earned, logged and documented before the end of the certification expiration year, certification will lapse.

PAs who successfully maintain the certification during the second audit, including completing the requirements specified above for the failed audit, will also be subject to an additional random audit of their Category I hours in at least one of their next three certification maintenance cycles.

Except as provided above, PAs who fail to respond satisfactorily within six weeks of receipt of the audit notification letter during any audit may, at the discretion of NCCPA, be subject to the immediate loss of certification.  PAs who refuse to submit to an audit may be subject to the immediate loss of certification.  During any audit, PAs who are discovered to have knowingly falsified documentation or attempted fraud in reporting hours may be subject to the immediate loss of certification.

All other circumstances or scenarios pertaining to the unsuccessful completion of any audit may result in the immediate loss of certification or other action.

PAs who lose certification pursuant to the CME audit policy and later desire to regain certification must first petition the NCCPA for reinstatement of eligibility.

More questions on the CME audit? Click here for frequently asked questions.

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