Obtaining CME Sponsorship

The American Thoracic Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. ATS is ACCME provider # 0000165. As an Accredited Provider, the ATS may directly sponsor (accredit) CME activities of its own. Acting as accrediting provider in a partnership, the ATS may also "jointly sponsor" appropriate CME activities with certain non-accredited organizations. The ATS has served as joint CME sponsor for activities initiated by local ATS chapters, Lung Associations, and select international medical societies. Such joint sponsorship enables designation of category 1 CME credits toward the Physician's Recognition Award of the American Medical Association (AMA).

ATS uses an application process to ensure that educational activities proposed for ATS CME sponsorship comply with standards of the ACCME and the AMA. In July 2002, ATS updated its application process to better comply with these requirements. The new set of materials below supercedes the application and materials previously placed on the ATS website. Only applications using these forms will be accepted.

The Application for ATS Initiated Events (PDF only) is intended for all ATS CME activities initiated within the Society for which the ATS will serve as direct CME provider. Application to ATS for CME Joint Sponsorship (PDF only) is intended for all jointly sponsored activities such as with ATS chapters and/or Lung Associations for which the ATS would serve as the direct CME provider.

These tab through documents (using tab instead of enter keys to progress through the pages) can be filled out on a PC and then printed for signatures and mailing or faxing to ATS. With appropriate software they can be saved for editing. ATS will accept completed applications via regular mail, overnight mail, or fax, but via E-mail is not permitted since approval signatures are required. Supporting documentation may be sent through any feasible medium including E-mail.

Each Application is complimented by an Appendix or Tool Kit in Word to allow customizing of sample forms and templates required of the applicant. Please check with the Education Programs Unit if there is any doubt as to which application and appendix/tool kit to use as certain key questions differ.

A Checklist helps track team responsibilities for required ACCME documentation. These materials and a Manual of Rules and Procedures replace the Guidebook issued to ATS chapters and Lung Associations in April 2000. The Update on ATS Jointly Sponsored CME gives the rationale for the changes.

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