This guide provides a detailed overview of the requirements, expectations and processes involved in collaborating with the AANS to deliver a CME activity through joint providership. It is intended to support organizations in planning compliant, high-quality educational programs.
Overview of Joint Providership
Joint providership is a formal collaboration between the AANS, as an ACCME-accredited provider, and a non-accredited organization. In this relationship, the AANS assumes responsibility for ensuring that the activity meets all applicable accreditation requirements.
All activities must adhere to ACCME standards for independence, balance and scientific integrity. These standards guide how content is developed, how faculty are selected and how financial relationships are disclosed and managed.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for joint providership, an activity must align with the AANS CME mission and meet ACCME definitions of continuing medical education. Activities should address an identified professional practice gap and be designed to improve physician competence or performance.
Additionally, all proposed activities must maintain independence from commercial influence and demonstrate a clear educational purpose.
Joint Providership Process
The joint providership process includes several interconnected phases that guide your activity from initial concept through completion.
The process begins with preparation and application. Organizations are expected to gather preliminary materials, define learning objectives and submit a complete application for review. After approval, the planning phase begins, during which the AANS and the joint provider collaborate on content development, faculty selection and compliance documentation.
During the delivery phase, the activity must be conducted in accordance with ACCME requirements, including appropriate disclosure practices and separation from promotional activity. Following completion, the process concludes with submission of final materials such as attendance records, evaluations and financial documentation.
Roles and Responsibilities
Successful joint providership requires active collaboration. The joint provider organization is responsible for developing the educational content, coordinating faculty, maintaining planning documentation and ensuring required materials are submitted throughout the process.
The AANS provides accreditation oversight, reviews materials for compliance and offers guidance to help ensure that all requirements are met. This shared responsibility supports both compliance and educational quality.
Timeline and Required Materials
Organizations are expected to begin planning early and submit applications at least six months before the activity. This timeframe allows for thorough review and coordination.
Required materials typically include documentation of practice gaps, planning communications, faculty disclosures, mitigation strategies for conflicts of interest and both preliminary and final budgets. Promotional materials and final program content must also be submitted for review to ensure compliance with accreditation standards.
Fees and Payment Structure
The AANS requires a $795 nonrefundable application fee, which is invoiced upon approval of the application. Additional service fees may be assessed following completion of the activity, depending on the scope and support required.
All payments are coordinated through the AANS and include clear instructions upon invoicing.
Commercial Support Guidelines
Commercial support must be managed in accordance with ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence. Educational funding must be separate from promotional activity, and all financial support must be documented through formal agreements.
Educational grants may be used to support the development and delivery of the activity, provided they are used appropriately and fully disclosed. Exhibit income, which is separate from educational funding, must be managed independently and cannot influence the educational content.
Strict separation between education and promotion must be maintained at all times, including during the activity and within program materials. Please refer to Resources for more details.
Required Documentation
Throughout the planning and delivery process, organizations are expected to maintain and submit documentation that demonstrates compliance. This includes planning materials, faculty communications, financial disclosures and conflict mitigations, agreements with commercial supporters, final program materials and attendance records.
The AANS will review these materials as part of its oversight responsibilities.
Templates and Downloads
The AANS provides a set of templates and resources to support compliance, including tools for disclosure collection, conflict mitigation and documentation of commercial support. These resources are designed to streamline the process and ensure compliance with ACCME requirements. View resources here.
Questions
For additional information or guidance, contact the AANS education team at education@aans.org.
