From 2004-2014, the Almanac’s Reality CME series offered a place where the questions of real professionals in CME drove the conversation. As part of the Almanac’s celebration of the Alliance’s 50th Anniversary, I was tasked as an Almanac Editorial Board member to revisit this series and consider how we could bring it back. Doing so reminded me how powerful it is to have space for real, unfiltered questions, and I — along with the rest of the Board — knew it had to return.

Alliance members can view the article archive, including past Reality CME pieces, on our website, which offers helpful context for readers who want to revisit the original series.

Since CME/CE can be complicated, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Reality CPD Revival is here to make sense of it all, one question at a time. Send yours to almanac@acehp.org, and let’s tackle the challenges of CME/CE together.

Also read the first answer to Reality CPD Revival: “Accreditation Rules vs. Leadership Pressure.”

Until your questions start rolling in, we’re dusting off a classic from the archives that could use an updated answer:

“Dear Reality CPD Revival,

How should I document and report in-kind support for accredited CME/CPD?

• What’s Old is New Again (Original question from May 2012 issue)”

Dear Readers,

In today’s CME/CPD environment, transparency and independence remain the foundation of all documentation and disclosure practices — especially when it comes to in-kind commercial support.

Under the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education (released in Dec. 2020 and went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022), commercial support is defined as financial or in-kind contributions from ineligible companies. In-kind support continues to be reportable in PARS (Program and Activity Reporting System), and there is no longer a requirement — or even an option — to assign or report a dollar value to that support.

What You Must Do in 2026

Preparing for In-Kind Support:

• Ensure all commercial support is documented in a written agreement before the activity begins.
• Agreements should be between the accredited provider and the ineligible company providing the support.
• If a joint provider or third party will be involved with the in-kind contribution, include their name in the agreement.
• Joint providers or third parties may be included in the agreement but cannot sign in place of the accredited provider.
• Maintain accurate records of the support received and how it was used to ensure transparency and accountability.

Reporting in PARS:

PARS continues to support structured entry of in-kind support for each accredited activity, including:

• Whether commercial support was received
• The name of the ineligible company
• The type of support provided: Monetary or In-Kind (non-monetary). 

Disclosing to learners:

• The name of the ineligible company providing support (financial or in-kind).
• Do not include the ineligible companies’ corporate or product logos, trade names or product group messages.
• Do not include the dollar value of in-kind support — this is no longer permitted nor required.
• As a best practice, include the nature of the in-kind support, such as:
  • Durable equipment
  • Facilities/space
  • Disposable supplies (non-biological)
  • Animal parts or tissue
  • Human parts or tissue
  • Other (with a description)

As an example, your disclosure to learners could be as simple as:

“This activity received in-kind support from XYZ Medical Technologies in the form of durable equipment used for hands-on instruction during the workshop.”

Not too much has changed since the original question asked in 2012, but a few things to note:

• The ACCME Standards for Commercial Support have been retired.
• The 2022 ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence apply to all accredited education, including CME and CPD.
• The term “ineligible company” has replaced “commercial interest” to better reflect the evolving healthcare landscape.
• The emphasis is now squarely on transparency of relationships, not financial quantification.

Bottom Line/Best Practices for Compliance:

• Ensure the accredited provider makes all decisions regarding the receipt and disbursement of the commercial support. 
• Make sure disclosures to learners are timely, accurate and unambiguous.
• Include the name of the ineligible company and the nature of the in-kind support in your learner-facing materials (e.g., slides, handouts, websites).
• Maintain agreement records with clear internal documentation, even though dollar values are no longer required.
• Stay current with any PARS system updates, as the ACCME continues to enhance usability and automation.

If you have insights on how to navigate the push-pull between policy and power — or if you have your own tough question — we want to hear from you. Email us at almanac@acehp.org and be part of the Reality CPD Revival or join in the conversation for this article on the Alliance community discussion page.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are intended for professional discussion and peer reflection only. They do not constitute legal, employment, accreditation or regulatory advice. Readers should consult their own institutional policies, legal counsel and accrediting bodies when making decisions related to compliance or employment matters.