International agreements
The German Medical Association is striving to make it easier to participate in continuing education activities abroad. To this end, an evaluation was conducted to assess the substantial equivalency of continuing education certification systems in different countries and the system of the German chambers of physicians and, on this basis, to facilitate the mutual recognition of certificates of participation.
It has been recommended that the German state chambers of physicians recognise certificates of participation for continuing education activities that have been recognised by the respective national competent institutions toward the acquisition of continuing education points. At the same time, certificates of participation for continuing education activities that have been recognised by German chambers of physicians will be recognised by the respective national institutions abroad toward the acquisition of points.
Agreements have been concluded with the national institutions in the following countries for the mutual recognition of certificates of participation.
- Austria
Competent institutions
Österreichische Ärztekammer (Austrian Medical Chamber)
Österreichische Akademie der Ärzte (Austrian Academy of Physicians)
The German Medical Association recommends that the German chambers of physicians recognise certificates of participation for continuing education activities that have been certified by the Austrian Medical Chamber or the Austrian Academy of Physicians for the acquisition of CME points without further detailed assessment.
The Austrian Medical Chamber’s continuing medical education regulationsstipulate that the continuing education points from categories A, B, C, D, F, G and H that are recognized by the German chambers of physicians should be recognised to the same extent as DFP points (Diplom-Fortbildungs-Programm = continuing education diploma program).
- Switzerland
Competent institution
Schweizerisches Institut für ärztliche Weiter- und Fortbildung, SIWF (Swiss Institute for Specialty Medical Training and Continuing Medical Education)
The German Medical Association recommends that the German chambers of physicians recognise certificates of participation for continuing education activities that have been certified by the Swiss Institute for Specialty Medical Training and Continuing Medical Education for the acquisition of CME points without further detailed assessment.
The continuing education regulations of the Swiss Institute for Specialty Medical Training and Continuing Medical Education stipulate that continuing education activities that have received credits (CME points) from the competent institution in an EU/EFTA member country are automatically also recognised in Switzerland.
- Canada
Competent institution
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
The German Medical Association recommends that the German chambers of physicians recognise certificates of participation for continuing education activities that have been certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or certificates of participation from organisers/providers that are accredited by the RCPSC, for the acquisition of CME points without further detailed assessment. This agreement is valid for 5 years and ends on 30 November 2026. It is limited to in-person activities that take place in Canada. It is not valid for continuing education activities that take place in Germany; these must also be recognised by a German state chamber of physicians.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) recognises certificates of participation for continuing education activities that have been certified by German state chambers of physicians. This agreement is valid for 5 years and ends on 3 October 2023.
In addition, the RCPSC affirmed equivalence with its Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. The agreement is valid until 31 December 2026.
- United States of America (U.S.A.)
Competent institutions
The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) sets standards for the accreditation of institutions and organisations that carry out continuing medical education activities.
The American Medical Association (AMA) the professional association of physicians and medical students in the United States, sets standards for the awarding of points for continuing education activities.
The German Medical Association recommends that the German chambers of physicians recognise certificates of participation from organisers/providers that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) for the acquisition of CME points without further detailed assessment. This agreement is valid for 5 years and ends on 30 November 2026. It is limited to in-person continuing education activities that take place in the USA. It is not valid for continuing education activities that take place in Germany; these must also be recognised by a German state chamber of physicians.
The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) has affirmed the equivalence of its certification system with that of the German state chambers of physicians with regard to the requirements of organisers/providers of continuing education activities, which is valid until 31 December 2025.
The American Medical Association (AMA) is currently reviewing the State Chambers of Physicians’ certification systems for equivalence with regard to the awarding of points for continuing education activities.
- Israel
Competent institution:
Israel Medical Association (IMA)
The German Medical Association and the Israel Medical Association have confirmed the substantial equivalence of their respective certification systems and agreed to mutually recognise continuing medical education. A declaration to this effect was signed by both organisations in Dresden on 23 June 2022.
The State Chambers of Physicians will carry out a comparative assessment of CME categories and points on a case-by-case basis when certificates of participation are submitted.
- Other Countries
For certificates of participation acquired by members of German state chambers of physicians in countries for which no agreement exists, the state chambers can conduct a case-by-case assessment in accordance with § 12 of the (Model) Regulations on Continuing Medical Education:
§ 12 Continuing medical education abroad
(1) Continuing medical education measures completed abroad may be credited for the CME Certificate as long as they comply with the fundamental requirements of these Regulations on Continuing Medical Education.
(2) The physician must furnish proof of the nature of the continuing medical education that permits the verification of compliance with the requirements of these Regulations on Continuing Medical Education.