PAMED Member Benefit

Recognition and Reporting of Child Abuse

Physician members can meet child abuse training requirements for state licensure with this free online course. Completion is reported directly to the Department of State.

Take Child Abuse CME now →

Before You Begin: Data Must Match Your License Record

3 business days

The personal information you enter in the “Required Fields for Licensure” step must be identical to the information on file with the Pennsylvania Department of State. Mismatched, missing, or falsified data will delay confirmation of completion and can stall your license renewal.

Automatic transfer of completion to the Department of State typically takes 3 business days when your data matches.

Choose your course

Two versions are offered depending on your licensure status. Existing PA licensees receive only 2 hours of renewal credit regardless of which course is taken.

Most physicians
For license renewal

2-Hour CME Course

  • 2 hours
  • 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

Physicians renewing an existing Pennsylvania license.

Take CME
For initial applicants

3-Hour Non-CME Course

  • 3 hours
  • No CME credit

Initial license applicants.

Take CME

Required: You must submit your license application to the Department of State before completing this course.

No U.S. Social Security Number? Physicians without an SSN must complete the required SSN Waiver form and email it to CMEadmin@pamedsoc.org. Records cannot be processed without it.

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Learning objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Review Pennsylvania's child welfare system structure and differentiate between child protective services and general protective services.
  • Outline key changes in Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law that apply to physicians as mandated reporters, including the expanded legal definition of child abuse and new reporting obligations.
  • Describe the roles, rights and responsibilities of physicians and applicable office staff as mandated reporters of suspected child abuse.
  • Assess potential signs and symptoms of child abuse and other indicators that would require a report of suspected child abuse.
  • Utilize prescribed reporting channels and processes to report suspected child abuse via telephone or the Internet.

CME Accreditation and Designation information

The Pennsylvania Medical Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Pennsylvania Medical Society designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the enduring material.

No one involved in the planning or delivery of this activity has any relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Enduring material posted
Jan. 2, 2019
Enduring material reviewed
Dec. 2024
Enduring material expires
Dec. 31, 2026
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