The Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME), accrediting body for podiatric CME providers, has updated the CPME 720 – Standards and Requirements for Approval of Providers of Continuing Education in Podiatric Medicine (PDF), effective July 1, 2020.The CPME standards define Internet Live Activity as โan online continuing educational activity available at a certain time on a certain date and available only in real-time, just as if it were a continuing educational activity held in an auditorium. Once the event has taken place, learners may no longer participate in that activity.โ Some examples of an internet live activity are a webinar, videoconference, or teleconference. CPME has also released guidance on COVID-19 for continuing education (PDF) in response to COVID-19 concerns regarding CME. Providers of CME, including all organizations listed in the Podiatry Continuing Medical Education Rules, can organize and present an internet live activity for CME credit. There are no limits on the amount of CME hours that can be obtained through internet live activity. Online courses that are not part of an internet live activity may be acceptable for CME self-study credit. Up to 20 hours of self-study CME may be counted towards the CME requirement.
TDLR is not waiving the requirements or extending the timeframe for obtaining CME at this time. However, the podiatry program rules provide for exceptions in cases of hardship as determined on an individual basis by the executive director. For more information please contact rpm.health.professions@tdlr.texas.gov.