In July, 70 continuing medical education professionals became the first to earn the new Certified Continuing Medical Education Professional designation.

Created and administered by the National Commission for Certification of CME Professionals, Sandia, N.M, an independent organization, the CCMEP certification is the first credential exclusively for CME professionals. The program is designed to help organizations verify the knowledge and skills of CME staff and to demonstrate the integrity of their education initiatives to the public and government, say organizers.

Of the 79 who took the inaugural test in June, 70 received passing scores. “In certification exams, the primary goal is a pass/fail discrimination,” said Jack Kues, PhD, CCMEP, president of NC-CME, in a press release. “Every candidate who achieves the minimum score is deemed to be competent.” The exam is one portion of the credentialing process, which also includes the applicant’s experience, formal education, and continuing education.

Kues was among the inaugural class of 70, as was Karen Overstreet, EdD, RPh, CCMEP, chair of NC-CME’s Test Development Committee. Here’s a  complete list of the new CCMEPs.

The next certification exam period will be held September 13–30 at 200 testing centers throughout the U.S. The cutoff date to register is August 31. The first two groups of graduates will be recognized on October 21 at the National Task Force on CME Provider/Industry Collaboration annual conference in Baltimore. After that, there will be another testing period December 13–30. Candidates must register by November 30. To register, or for more information, go to www.nc-cme.org.