CE vs. CME in Healthcare - What’s the Difference?

In the healthcare field, professionals frequently encounter the terms Continuing Education (CE) and Continuing Medical Education (CME). While both refer to educational activities designed to maintain and enhance professional knowledge, they cater to distinct groups and serve different purposes.

Understanding these differences is crucial for selecting the right educational opportunities tailored to your professional role and licensing requirements.

What’s Continuing Education?

Continuing Education (CE) encompasses a broad range of educational activities aimed at improving skills, knowledge, and professional competence across various sectors.

In healthcare, CE is a term often used to describe ongoing learning for non-physician professionals. CE is often used interchangeably with Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEUs) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs). 

Who Uses This Terminology?

CE is commonly used across various healthcare disciplines that require professionals to stay updated with advancements in their fields. Such professions include:

• Nurses

• Pharmacists

• Dietitians

• Physical Therapists

• Occupational Therapists

• Social Workers

Example of Continuing Education

An example of CE is a nurse completing a course on advanced wound care management accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This type of learning ensures that the nurse remains proficient in providing high-quality care and meets state licensing requirements.

What’s Continuing Medical Education?

Continuing Medical Education (CME) refers specifically to educational activities designed for medical professionals, such as physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. CME focuses on improving medical knowledge, patient care, and other competencies critical to clinical practice.

Who Uses This Terminology?

CME is primarily used by medical professionals who diagnose and treat patients. Typical professions include:

• Physicians

• Physician Assistants

• Nurse Practitioners 

Example of Continuing Medical Education

A CME example is a physician attending the Pinnacle Conference to learn about leadership in medicine, earning AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ through Learn at Pinnacle - an ACCME-accredited provider.

What’s the Difference?

While CE and CME share the goal of professional development, their focus, audience, and accrediting bodies differ. CE caters to a wider range of healthcare professionals, encompassing diverse competencies, whereas CME is specifically designed for medical practitioners, with a stronger focus on clinical knowledge and skills.

Understanding whether CE or CME is appropriate depends on a professional’s role and learning goals. By selecting the correct type of education, healthcare providers can ensure they meet licensing requirements and deliver exceptional care to patients.

Aspect	Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)	Continuing Medical Education (CME)
Target Audience	Nurses, LPNs, NPs	Physicians, PAs, NPs
Focus	Nursing practice, patient care	Clinical and medical advancements
Examples	Pediatric emergency care, advanced wound management	Clinical pharmacology, surgical innovations, physician leadership
Accrediting Bodies	ANCC, State Boards of Nursing	ACCME, AMA