WSU Continuing Medical Education Activity Compliance and Scope Policy

Policy Number: EC.00.03.260417

Applies to: Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities.

Date: 04/17/2026

1.0 Policy Statement

Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is committed to ensuring that all CME activities conducted under its accredited provider status meet the highest standards of educational integrity, independence, and institutional accountability.

2.0 Definitions

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)

The ACCME is responsible for accrediting institutions that offer CME to physicians and other healthcare professionals. ACCME accreditation is a voluntary system, based on professional self-regulation and peer review. The ACCME’s mission is to assure and advance quality learning for healthcare professionals that drives improvements in patient care.

3.0 Responsibilities

Responsible Office: Continuing Medical Education Unit

Oversight Committee: N/A

4.0 Procedure

In response to evolving accreditation and compliance requirements, the WSU CME Unit is implementing a temporary limitation on the scope of CME activities conducted under its accreditation. This action is intended to protect the institution, ensure full compliance with accreditation standards, and support a sustainable, high-quality CME program.

Rationale

Accreditation standards that govern CME are established by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). Standards applicable to accredited providers, including WSU CME, particularly those related to independence from ineligible companies, conflict-of-interest (COI) identification and mitigation, and control of educational content, are experiencing significant and ongoing evolution. These changes have increased interpretive complexity, administrative burden, and institutional exposure to compliance risk, underscoring the need for a measured approach to growth that maintains strong regulatory, operational, and reputational safeguards.

This policy establishes a deliberate pause and narrowing of scope to stabilize operations, strengthen internal controls, and allow for structured reassessment of CME strategy and infrastructure.

Scope

This policy applies to all CME activities conducted under WSU accreditation, including:

• Directly provided activities: Clinical and non-clinical activities planned, implemented, and evaluated entirely by WSU College of Medicine faculty and staff.
• Jointly provided activities: Activities developed by non-accredited organizations that partner with WSU to offer accredited CME.

Policy Provisions

1. Limitation to Directly Provided CME
   • Effective immediately, WSU CME accreditation will be limited to educational activities that are:
     • Developed, implemented, and evaluated entirely by the accredited provider: the WSU College of Medicine, with endorsement from the relevant department(s).
     • Directly aligned with WSU’s academic, clinical, or public service mission to support medically underserved areas of Washington State.
     • Fully compliant with accreditation standards and WSU COI policies.
2. Existing Approved Activities and Renewals
   • Previously approved CME activities may continue through their approved term provided they:
     • Remain fully compliant with current accreditation standards and WSU policies.
     • Maintain WSU-approved operational compliance, including up-to-date disclosures and mitigation.

Renewals of existing activities will be subject to enhanced review and will be approved only if the activity:

• Aligns with the limitations set forth in this policy.
• Demonstrates continued educational value, up-to-date evidence review, and compliance integrity.
• Can be supported within current operational and compliance capacity.

WSU reserves the right to require modification, delay renewal, or discontinue any activity.

Review and Reassessment

This policy may be formally reviewed at any time and will be reviewed if:

• Accreditation standards materially change; and/or.
• Sufficient infrastructure and controls are established to support expansion of CME activities.

In all cases, the policy will be formally reviewed no later than 12 months after implementation.

Any decision to lift or modify this policy will be based on a documented assessment of compliance readiness, governance capacity, and institutional resources.

5.0 Related Policies and Bylaws

N/A

6.0 Key Search Words

• Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
• Continuing Medical Education

7.0 Revision History

Original Approval: 04/17/2026
Policy Number: EC.00.03.260417
Review/Revision:  04/17/2026