AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™: What It Is and How to Claim It
This article explains what AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ means, who can use it, how it differs from Category 2, and how to claim and document credit earned through eligible CME activities.
If you are a physician renewing your license, maintaining a professional certification, or completing hospital credentialing, you have probably seen the phrase AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
This guide explains what AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ means, how it differs from Category 2, who can use it, and how to claim and document eligible credit.
Quick Answer: What Is AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™?
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is a recognized form of continuing medical education credit earned through eligible educational activities certified by a CME provider accredited by the ACCME or an ACCME-recognized state medical society, or otherwise recognized directly by the AMA.
PRA stands for Physician’s Recognition Award. Physicians, Physician Assistants, and Nurse Practitioners commonly use these credits to document continuing education for state medical license renewal, hospital credentialing, specialty certification, and other professional requirements.
What Does AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Show?
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ shows that a learner completed an educational activity certified for this type of credit and met the provider’s stated requirements. The activity is intended to help physicians maintain, develop, or improve the knowledge, skills, or professional performance.
Depending on the activity, completion requirements may include:
Participating in the educational content
Completing an assessment or post-test
Submitting an activity evaluation
Meeting other completion criteria stated by the provider
The accredited provider designates the maximum number of credits available. Participants should claim only the credit that reflects the extent of their participation. For standard live activities and enduring materials, credits are generally calculated at a rate of 1.0 credit per 60 minutes of education.
Category 1 vs. Category 2 Credit
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and AMA PRA Category 2 Credit™ are both part of the AMA PRA credit system, but they are earned and documented differently.
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ | AMA PRA Category 2 Credit™ |
|---|---|
Earned through certified activities or other educational activities recognized by the AMA | Self-designated by an individual physician for qualifying learning that was not certified for Category 1 credit |
The accredited provider or AMA establishes the credit designation | The physician determines whether the activity meets AMA Category 2 criteria |
Usually supported by a certificate or transcript | Self-documented by the physician |
Examples of learning that may qualify for Category 2 include reading authoritative medical literature, consulting with peers, medical writing, or participating in other worthwhile nonpromotional learning related to the physician’s practice.
Category 2 credit is claimed and documented by the physician rather than certified by an accredited CME provider. The AMA’s Category 2 guidance explains the applicable criteria in more detail.
Who Can Use AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™?
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is primarily designed for physicians. It is commonly relevant to MDs, DOs, and physicians with an equivalent medical degree who need recognized CME for licensure, credentialing, certification, or professional development.
Some nonphysician healthcare professionals may also be able to use eligible activities designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ toward requirements established by their own professional organizations:
The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants accepts eligible activities designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as Category 1 CME for physician assistants.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center accepts AMA PRA Category 1 CME for APRN certification renewal, subject to its applicable renewal requirements.
Acceptance and reporting rules are not identical across professions. Physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other clinicians should confirm the requirements of their own certifying organization, licensing board, and employer.
Do All States Require the Same Number of CME Credits?
No. There is no single nationwide CME total that applies to every physician. Requirements vary by state, license type, renewal cycle, specialty, and practice circumstances.
The following examples illustrate how different the requirements can be. They reflect information published by the respective boards as of November 2026:
State | Example of physician CME requirement |
|---|---|
California | The Medical Board of California requires at least 50 hours of approved CME during each two-year renewal cycle. Its approved options include programs that qualify for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. |
Texas | The Texas Medical Board requires 48 CME hours every 24 months, including 24 formal Category 1 or 1A hours. Additional subject-specific requirements may apply. |
Rhode Island | For the 2026 renewal cycle, Rhode Island requires 40 hours of AMA Category 1, AOA Category 1A, or qualifying ACCME-accredited education over two years. |
These examples should not be treated as a national average. Requirements can change, and a state may impose mandatory topics in addition to a general CME total. Always review the current rules published by the board responsible for your license.
Can You Earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Online?
Yes. An educational activity does not have to take place in a classroom to offer AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Online, self-paced activities may be offered as enduring materials. What matters is whether the activity has been properly planned, reviewed, certified, and designated for credit by an eligible accredited provider.
Eligible healthcare professionals who complete qualifying Pulse Medical Certification ACLS, PALS, and BLS activities can claim profession-specific continuing education credit through our joint providership with CME Outfitters, LLC.
For physicians, the eligible enduring materials are designated for a maximum of:
Activity | AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ |
|---|---|
8.0 | |
8.0 | |
4.0 |
For complete accreditation statements and profession-specific credit details, visit our Accreditation & Continuing Education page.
How Do You Claim and Document the Credit?
The exact process depends on the activity provider, but the general sequence is straightforward:
Complete the educational activity. Work through the required content and meet the stated participation requirements.
Complete the required assessment or evaluation. Some activities require a post-test, evaluation, or both.
Claim the appropriate amount of credit. Do not exceed the maximum designated for the activity, and claim only the amount that reflects your participation.
Download or save your CME certificate. Confirm that your name, activity title, completion date, provider, credit type, and number of credits are correct.
Report the credit as required. Follow the instructions provided by your medical board, specialty board, employer, or credentialing organization.
Reporting is not identical everywhere. Some boards and organizations use electronic reporting or transcript systems, while others require self-attestation and request documentation only during an audit. Claiming credit through an activity provider does not necessarily report it automatically to every organization that may require it.
Keep your CME certificates for at least as long as the applicable board or credentialing body requires. For example, California physicians must retain CME documentation for a minimum of four years.
Was this article helpful?
Quick tip: Let us know if this article was helpful and discover a special discount code for your upcoming certification.
Ready to Get Certified Online?
Browse our BLS, ACLS, PALS, and CPR courses built for busy healthcare professionals. Study at your own pace and receive your provider card instantly after passing.
