The Continuing Medical Education (CME) program provides high-quality educational activities that enhance physician knowledge, competence, and performance and improve patient care outcomes.
Our CME activities are designed to address gaps in knowledge and practice, with a focus on improving healthcare delivery within under-resourced communities.
Charles R. Drew University is Accredited with Commendation,Ěýeffective December 8, 2025 â November 30, 2031.
Our CME Mission
The mission of the Charles R. Drew University CME program is to provide educational activities that support the professional development of physicians and healthcare professionals, with the goal of improving patient outcomes and reducing health disparities in under-resourced.
Ongoing CME Initiatives
Friday Noon Lecture Series in the College of Medicine
This series provides physicians and healthcare professionals with current, evidence-based clinical knowledge to support high-quality patient care and improve clinical outcomes.
Psychiatry Grand Rounds in the College of Medicine
This series explores systemic and structural disparities, as well as novel ideas, within the field of psychiatry to improve physicians’ knowledge and competence in supporting the under-resourced patient population in the South Los Angeles community.
Grand Rounds at the Martin Luther King Jr Community Hospital
This series provides educational presentations on a wide range of clinical topics, supporting physician learning and improving patient care outcomes.
Medical Grand Rounds at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
This series is targeted at clinicians and covers a variety of interdisciplinary topics specific to patient management and care.
ACN PCP Adult Didactic Webinar Series at the Ambulatory Care Network of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
This series targets adult primary care providers practicing within the Ambulatory Care Network, as well as healthcare professionals who serve or may serve patients in an ambulatory care setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CME?
Continuing Medical Education (CME) consists of educational activities that serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and/or professional performance relationships that a physician uses to provide services to patients, the public, or the profession. The content of CME is the body of knowledge and skills generally recognized and accepted by the profession as within the basic medical sciences, the discipline of clinical medicine, and the provision of healthcare to the public.
ĚýWhat does AMA âPRAâ stand for?
The American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award (PRA) and the related credit system recognize physicians who demonstrate their commitment to staying current with advances in medicine by participating in certified CME activities. Established in 1968, the AMA PRA Category 1 Credit⢠remains the most widely accepted award for recognizing physicians’ CME achievement. AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ˘is recognized by many state licensing boards, medical specialty boards, hospital credentialing bodies, and other entities. The AMA Physician Recognition Award or AMA-approved application is currently accepted in many states as documentation for licensure or reregistration.
What is the ACCME?
The ACCME is the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. It is the organization that sets the standards for accrediting all providers of CME activities. ACCME providers are dedicated to the identification, development, and promotion of standards for quality CME that physicians use to maintain competence and incorporate new knowledge, in order to improve the quality of medical care for patients and their communities. For more information on ACCME, visit
What is the ACCMEâs relationship to the AMA?
The ACCME owns the accreditation system and accredits providers that demonstrate compliance with accreditation criteria, thereby granting them the authority to certify appropriate educational activities for AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ˘. The AMA owns the credit system. Both organizations collaborate and support one anotherâs standards and policies. The AMA also has a seat on the ACCMEâs Board.
What is the difference between direct providership and joint providership?
A directly provided activity is one that is planned, implemented, and evaluated by the accredited provider (e.g., departments, colleges, and/or schools within CDU). A jointly provided activity is one that is planned, implemented, and evaluated by the accredited provider and a non-accredited education partner (e.g., community partners).
Physicians/Learners
When will I receive my CME certificate?
Certificates of Credit and Certificates of Participation for Regularly Scheduled Series events (i.e. Grand Rounds) are issued quarterly and will be e-mailed. Certificates of Credit and Certificates of Participation for all other CME activities will be issued (i.e., e-mailed) no later than 6 weeks following participation in a CME activity.
As a physician in California, what are my CME requirements?
Physicians licensed in the state of California are required to complete at least 50 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit⢠during each biennial renewal cycle. In addition to state requirements for maintaining licensure, certifying boards and/or institutions where a physician practices may set additional requirements.
What type of CME credit do physicians need?
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit⢠is the most common type of credit physicians need for maintenance of licensure. For an activity to be designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ˘, it must be planned and implemented by an accredited CME provider.
What is the difference between AMA Category 1 and Category 2 credit?
Category 1 CME activities are formally planned activities that are certified for credit by an ACCME-accredited provider and in compliance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Category 2 CME activities are physician self-reported educational activities that a physician engages in to improve their knowledge, competence, and/or performance as it relates to the care of their patients.
What happens if I cannot attend a CME activity for the entire time?
It is the learner’s responsibility to claim credit commensurate with their participation in a CME activity.
Do I need to complete an application to receive CME credit?
Yes. An Application for Credit must be fully completed and submitted to the CME representative to receive credit (for physicians) and/or certification of participation (for non-physicians).
Who is eligible to receive AMA PRA Category 1 Credit?
Only MDs and DOs can be awardedĚýAMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ˘. Other learners who may be among the target audience for a CME activity will receive a Certificate of Participation indicating the activity was accredited forĚýAMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ˘. These learners will need to speak with their respective licensing board to determine whether this credit is transferable and, if so, the process.
Below are links that may be useful for potential non-physician participation:
- California Board of Registered Nurses:
- American Association of Physician Assistants:
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners:
What if I forgot to complete an application to receive CME credit?
If you attended a CME activity but forgot to turn in your evaluation and Application for Credit, please contact the Office of CME at ashleymcgilchrist@cdrewu.edu.
There was an error with my certificate. How can I get it fixed?
For corrections to your CME certificate, please contact the Office of CME at ashleymcgilchrist@cdrewu.edu.
How do I find out about future CME events?
Contact the Office of CME at ashleymcgilchrist@cdrewu.edu. CDU broadcasts are sent weekly. Additionally, the Friday Noon Lecture Series schedule and bi-monthly Upcoming Educational Activities flyer are accessible at this link: /com/cme.
I am not a physician. Can I still receive CME credit?
Non-physician participants cannot be awarded CME credit, but can still receive a Certificate of Participation indicating an activity was accredited for AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ˘.
I need extra CME credits. How can I go about getting them?
There are a number of CME activities available to physicians. Visit the CME Resources page for upcoming CME events taking place on CDUâs campus and/or within the community.
Prospective CME Applicants
What type of content is eligible for CME?
ACCME-accredited providers must provide CME that contains content that maintains, develops, or increases the knowledge, skills, and professional performance and relationships that a physician uses to provide services for patients, the public, or the profession. The content of CME is the body of knowledge and skills generally recognized and accepted by the profession as within the basic medical sciences, the discipline of clinical medicine, and the provision of health care to the public.
When do I contact the Office of CME to begin planning a CME program?
CDUâs Office of CME must be contacted at the very beginning of program planning. Many educational, financial, and logistical elements require substantial advance planning for optimal results. Additionally, this lead time allows you to work with the Office of CME to ensure the success of the CME activity. All CME activities must be based on an identified gap in physiciansâ professional practices and must align with the mission of CDU. You will find concise timelines for planning and development, required by the CDU Office of CME, dependent on activity type, at this link: here.
What are the initial steps to begin planning a CME activity?
An initial planning meeting with the Office of CME must be scheduled in order for CME staff to walk through CDUâs CME Application and planning process, as well as to review timeframes and deadlines. The Office of CME works collaboratively with each applicant to ensure clarity as to the CME process and to confirm understanding of the information required to complete a CME application. Once an application is complete, it is reviewed. Then, after the CME application is approved, the Office of CME will reach out to coordinate a project kickoff meeting, develop an activity timeline, and confirm roles and responsibilities for the planning process.
Can I advertise credit for my program prior to approval of my application?
No. You may not make any mention of credit in any promotional piece unless the activity has already been approved for credit. You may, however, advertise your activity in advance of approval if you do not mention credit. The AMA and ACCME require that the final announcement for any activity must clearly advertise the credit and include the required ACCME statement. Please contact the Office of CME prior to printing or sending any announcement mentioning credit.
Who needs to disclose personal financial relationships?
Any individual in a position to control the content of a CME activity must complete a Financial Relationship Disclosure Form. This includes planners and managers, content developers, authors and presenters, moderators and content viewers, as well as anyone else identified as controlling content.
What is considered an ineligible company?
An âineligible companyâ is any company whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
What is meant by a relevant financial relationship, which must be disclosed?
A financial relationship is a financial relationship, in any amount, which (a) occurred within the past 24 months, and (b) the educational content is related to the business lines or products of the ineligible company.
Does a CME staff member need to attend the course?
The Office of CME requires that a member of its staff or designee be present at all live CME-certified activities.
