How to Maximize Your CME Allowance
What is a CME Allowance?
A Continuing Medical Education (CME) allowance is not just a financial benefit – it's an investment in your growth, expertise, and leadership.
With this support, healthcare employers are helping you stay at the cutting edge of medical advancements, maintain your licensure, and elevate the care you provide to your patients.
This is your opportunity to continue to grow as a professional and make the most of the benefits in your employment contract.
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Join the MembershipWho Gets a CME Allowance?
CME allowances are typically offered to healthcare professionals who are required to engage in continuing education to maintain their professional certifications and licensure. This is often given to you by your employer.
These professionals include:
Physicians (MDs and DOs)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
Physician Assistants (PAs)
Pharmacists (in some cases)
Dentists (DMDs)
Other licensed healthcare providers, depending on their employer’s policies
CME allowance policies depend on specialty, degree/training, location, practice type, and employer/institution-specific rules.
Typical CME Allowance by Profession
The amount you get as a CME allowance varies depending on the employer, specialty, and location.
Here’s a general breakdown of the average CME allowance amounts:
Physicians: $3,000 - $5,000 per year
Nurse Practitioners (NPs): $1,000 - $4,000 per year
Physician Assistants (PAs): $1,500 - $3,000 per year
Dentists: $2,000 - $3,000 per year
Some employers offer additional support for specific courses, certifications, or travel expenses related to CME activities. In general, academic institutions often offer the most generous CME packages, followed by private hospitals and then private practices.
CME allowances are often negotiable, so it's beneficial to discuss them during contract negotiations to ensure you receive appropriate support for your continuing education.
When reviewing a new contract, the amount of days and financial compensation you are allocated in your CME allowance is a fantastic point to negotiate.
Here are some critical questions to ask when you're evaluating your contract:
How much money do I get for CME activities?
What can I use my CME allowance on—do virtual conferences or online courses count?
Will I be reimbursed for the time I take off to attend CME events?
Is the CME allowance provided as a lump sum at the start of the year, or reimbursed as expenses are incurred?
Am I compensated for time off when attending CME events?
“When signing a contract, I was most concerned about not having a clear strategy or the necessary skills to navigate contract negotiations. We’re often told that contracts are ‘standard,’ but we’re not taught which key terms to focus on or how to evaluate salary and benefits in comparison to other positions.
For women, in particular, the transition from training to an attending role often coincides with starting a family, making it essential to secure maternity leave and manageable call schedules in the contract. Additionally, many of us are unsure about what to request for educational time and the costs related to continuing medical education.”
Eligible CME Allowance Expenses
A CME allowance empowers you to invest in your educational and professional growth, covering a wide range of expenses, including:
Registration fees for CME courses, conferences, and workshops
Medical journals, books, and other educational materials
Online CME courses and subscriptions
Licensing fees and board certification exams
Travel expenses (airfare, lodging, meals) related to CME events
Membership fees for professional medical organizations
Technology, like laptops and tablets, might be covered if it is mostly for educational purposes
Before paying these fees, it’s worth checkling your contract and employment policies to understand any restrictions. For example, you might have spending limits, approved course providers that you have to use, or required documentation.
Example
As an example, if you’re attending the Pinnacle Conference in May 2025, your CME allowance may cover the registration fee, travel cost (such as flight tickets and hotel stay), and meals during conference hours.
However, you may find restrictions in your contract that limit reimbursement. For example, you might not get reimbursement if you stay in your hotel room for a few days before or after the conference. Or you might have a limit on hotel room cost per night.
Check your contract before you start booking the trip!
Expenses that may not qualify for CME allowance usage include:
Travel/lodging
If you extend a trip beyond the conference dates, the remainder of your trip will not be covered. You may also have a spending limit on the cost per night of your hotel, in which case you’ll only be eligible for a partial reimbursement.
You’re also unlikely to get reimbursed if you choose to travel first class.
Technology
Technology for personal use, like tablets or laptops, sometimes might be covered, but if you are using this mostly for personal use, it may not count. You may also need to justify the cost, so make sure you’re choosing tech that improves your efficiency or patient care while working.
Meals and Entertainment
While meals may be covered by your CME stipend if you’re travelling for a course or conference, you need to check the fine-print. You may have a spend limit per day, or a limit on food outside the conference.
You’re also unlikely to be reimbursed for entertainment while you’re on your trip. Remember - this is a work trip, not a personal vacation!
That being said, you may still be able to get some tax refunds for expenses incurred during professional trips. Check what the rules are in your state to see if you could offset some of the additional expenses that aren’t covered in your CME allowance.
Non-approved & Non-accredited CME
When looking for CE activities to spend your allowance on, check the accreditation. Joint-accredited CME such as the Pinnacle CE Membership cover most healthcare professionals and boards.
However, if the activity is only accredited for a single board or credit type (such as AMA PRA Category 1™ or ACPE CPE), you need to ensure that your employer will still cover the costs.
Some employers will also stipulate which providers are approved for reimbursement.
What’s the Best Way to Spend a CME Allowance?
To fully harness the power of a CME allowance, you should embrace the following strategies, to make the most of this opportunity for growth and advancement.
Choose High-Quality Courses: Prioritize CME programs that deliver cutting-edge, relevant knowledge aligned with your career goals, practice style, and specialty.
Attend Conferences Wisely: National and specialty conferences like the Pinnacle Conference, offer invaluable networking opportunities and access to cutting-edge research, helping you stay at the forefront of your field and connect with like-minded people who share your passion for education.
Utilize Online CME Options: Online courses and webinars provide a cost-effective and flexible way to earn CME credits on your own terms, fitting seamlessly into your busy schedule. One example is the Pinnacle CE Membership where you can get CME credit on your own time.
Invest in Essential Resources: Subscriptions to medical journals, textbooks, and online databases offer a continuous stream of knowledge that helps you to stay informed and engaged with the latest research and developments throughout the year.
Plan for Licensure and Certification Costs: Allocating funds for mandatory licensing and board certification exams to ensure you remain fully compliant with professional requirements, while reinforcing your credibility and expertise in the field.
Do Medical Students and Residents Get A CME Allowance?
In general, medical students do not receive CME funding, as they are still in the process of completing medical education and training.
However, many medical schools recognize the value of continued growth and may offer funding for additional educational activities, like conferences or courses, particularly if they align with an elective or specific course.
As a medical resident, you’ll find that you have more opportunities, though it varies greatly depending on your residency program and specialty.
Some programs offer funding for conferences, workshops, and courses that contribute to your CME credit. This funding is often included as part of your professional development budget, empowering you to continue advancing your skills. You may have to justify this to get reimbursed, so choose carefully based on your career goals and educational needs.
Depending on the program, you may also have a certain number of days set aside for continuing education activities, ensuring that you stay on top of your growth and stay inspired along the way.
By strategically utilizing a CME allowance, you can improve your skills, enhance your patient care, and move forward with your career – all while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.
Pinnacle can help you achieve this through conferences and our CE membership that gives you everything you need to build a career that works for you!
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