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Education / AAOS CME Joint Providership / AAOS Guidelines for Joint Providership

AAOS Guidelines for Joint Providership

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons provides opportunities for orthopaedic specialty, regional and state societies and other orthopaedic education providers to engage in a joint providership of its educational activities. In offering this joint providership opportunity, the Academy’s goal is to ensure that educational programs designed for orthopaedic surgeons meet the criteria of the accreditation requirements of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. As a result, orthopaedic surgeons and other healthcare professionals will be able to participate in the highest quality educational activities and receive AMA PRACategory 1 CME credit for participation.

Application Process

  1. The non-accredited sponsor (NAS) submits an Initial Request to April Holmes, AAOS Senior Manager, CME Administration (AAOS) at holmes@aaos.org. The request for joint providership is made before the society begins to plan the CME program.
  2. Within 5-7 business days, AAOS will forward the CME Joint Providership Agreement to the NAS for signature. Once the signed joint providership agreement has been returned, the agreement will be counter signed by AAOS and the NAS will receive a copy of the fully executed agreement along with instructions to proceed with completing the CME Activity Planning Form
  3. For the NAS not managed by the AAOS Society Management Services Department, a joint providership fee will be charged according to the following fee schedule: 
    • 1-8 CME credits: $2,000
    • 9-15 CME credits: $2,250
    • 16-24 CME credits: $2,500
    • 25-32 CME credits: $2,750
    • 33-40 CME credits: $3,000
  4. The fee covers the administrative costs the Academy incurs for the management of the joint providership program.
  5. The NAS is responsible for confirming or obtaining current financial disclosure information from the Planning Committee & Staff involved in the education planning process using the AAOS Disclosure Database before submission of the project planning form. Planning Committee/staff disclosure information must be current within the 12 months preceding the start of the CME activity.
  6. The CME Activity Planning Formand supporting documentation is then reviewed, including course objectives, program and proposed faculty for the educational activity, and disclosures of planning committee members that are provided by NAS; if changes are required, the NAS will be contacted by AAOS with further instructions; if no changes are required, the program is approved for joint providership and AAOS notifies the NAS.
  7. Once the activity has been approved, the NAS is responsible for confirming or obtaining current financial disclosure information for the faculty, presenters, authors and co-authors using the AAOS Disclosure Database Faculty disclosure information must be current within the 12 months preceding the start of the CME activity. Faculty must also submit the Disclosure of FDA Status. Only one FDA form is needed for each presentation/poster.
  8. The NAS informs AAOS of any commercial support to ensure that a CME Letter of Agreement is initiated. CME Letters of Agreement must be signed by the company and AAOS before the activity begins.
  9. Once the program has been approved, the NAS may publicize that it is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 credit™ with the appropriate CME statement provided by the AAOS.
  10. The preliminary program, program evaluation, final program and available presentations must be submitted to AAOS for review and approval.
  11. The program is held.
  12. At the conclusion of the program, the NAS submits its executive summary of the evaluation of the educational activity to AAOS, including a report of its intent to plan future programs in light of what is learned in the evaluation process. Registration records for the event must be submitted to AAOS. These items must be submitted within 60 days after the conclusion of the activity.

Terms and Conditions

  • Joint providership of one program with a NAS does not imply any likelihood of joint providership of any future programs. Each program must be individually reviewed by the AAOS.
  • NAS must sign the joint providership agreement and agree to follow all AAOS policies and ACCME accreditation requirements.

AAOS Joint Providership Proposed Timeline Checklist

Initial request
4-6 months before program begins

Agreement form
4-6 months before program begins

CME Project Planning Form of Live Activities
At least 3 months before program begins

Preliminary program sent to AAOS for review and approval
Allow at least 5-7 days for review

Program evaluation sent to AAOS for review and approval 
Allow at least 5-7 days for review

Final program including any available slide presentations sent to AAOS for review and approval
Allow 7-10 days for review

Post-activity: Attendee list sent with MD and non-MD noted
Submit within 60 days after the program

Post-activity: Summary of evaluations
Submit within 60 days after the program

April Holmes, AAOS Senior Manager, Education, is available to answer any questions you might have. She may be reached at holmes@aaos.org or at 847-384-4189.

Rev 05.01.17