Category I- Introduction
Perfusion meetings are those programs and seminars in which a minimum of 75% of the contact hours consists of perfusion or relevant cardiac surgery related material. Only ABCP-approved events will qualify for Category I CEUs. Examples include:
- international, national, regional and state perfusion meetings;
- real-time interactive webinars attached to approved Category I meetings;
- authors listed in a publication of perfusion related material (book chapter or paper in a professional journal);
(Society newsletters and correspondences are not included.)
- presentation at an international, national, regional or state perfusion meeting associated with an approved Category I meeting;
- presentation during a real-time interactive webinar associated with an approved Category I meeting;
- poster presentation associated with an approved Category I meeting;
[Presenter(s) must be present for discussion during poster sessions.]
- clinical instructor in an accredited school of perfusion;
- participation in the ABCP Knowledge Base Survey;
- completion of ABCP-approved Self-Directed Continuing Education (SDCE) material; and
[Self-Directed Continuing Education (SDCE) is education provided to individuals who are not physically 'onsite.' Rather than attending meetings or courses in person, participants may communicate at times of their own choosing by exchanging printed or electronic media. This activity may be either online or in written format. Participants must take a required post-test and achieve a minimum score of 80% to receive credit.]
- completion of ABCP-approved High-Fidelity Perfusion Simulation (HFPS).
[HFPS activities must meet the following criteria: (a) must be an interactive process facilitated by ABCP-certified perfusionists using standardized high-fidelity medical simulation devices in an ABCP-approved meeting that supports learning; (b) must be reproducible, reliable and valid and (c) must integrate one (1) of the following for each simulation- lecture, training module, fireside chat or panel discussion. The length must be no less than fifty (50) minutes of active simulation activity. One (1) credit is awarded for every fifty (50) minutes of educational activity.]
Category I- CEU Approval ⤴
General considerations
Only international, national, regional and state perfusion meetings, webinars and SDCEs approved in advance by the ABCP may qualify for Category I CEUs. Sponsors of international, national, regional and state perfusion meetings must complete all requirements for approval prior to the date of the meeting. No event will be approved for Category I CEUs after the date of the meeting.
The ABCP does not authorize the use of phrases indicating that ABCP approval of a meeting is pending. The advertising or marketing of a meeting as having ABCP approval without written confirmation is expressly prohibited.
Procedure
Simulation Centers must follow an approval process in order to provide clinical perfusionists with case credits or CEUs; learn more through this link.
The procedure for obtaining ABCP approval for programs seeking Category I CEUs is as follows:

- The ABCP National Office should receive requests at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting.
- A completed application must be submitted in electronic form and includes-
- the completed Professional Continuing Education Request for Program Approval Form* including Form and Schedule tabs;
- a sample of the-
- meeting evaluation form;
- daily sign-in sheet; and
- certificate or letter of CEU credit.
- a list of faculty with titles, credentials and/or qualifications; and
- an Application fee paid by check or credit card according to the following CEU Fee Structure (effective January 1, 2014)-
- Tier I- from 1-10 CEUs $150;
- Tier II- from 11-20 CEUs $250;
- Tier III- from 21-30 CEUs $350;
- Tier IV- for 31 or more CEUs $450.
The ABCP National Office will notify the meeting sponsor of any deficiency in the application. Upon receipt of a completed application, the ABCP will assign the appropriate CEUs and notify the sponsor within fourteen (14) days. Applications not completed thirty (30) days prior to date of meeting must include a $100.00 Late fee. Applications not completed by the date of the meeting will NOT be approved for Category I CEUs.
Category I- SDCE Approval ⤴
General considerations
Self-Directed Continuing Education (SDCE) sponsors who submit activities for ABCP Category I CEUs must include:
- 75% perfusion or related cardiac surgery material;
- a post-test (graded by the sponsor) consisting of a minimum of eight (8) questions per CEU;
(participants must achieve a minimum passing score of 80% to receive credit) - a statement in SDCE advertisements that SDCE activities are limited to a maximum of ten (10) Category I CEUs within a three-year reporting period.
SDCE activities that do not meet the above criteria will be considered as Category III activities.
SDCE CEU approval is valid for one (1) year from the time of original approval by the ABCP, but may be renewed annually if approved by resubmitting all updated application materials and fees to the ABCP.
Procedure
The procedure for obtaining ABCP approval for Self-Directed Continuing Education (SDCE) programs seeking Category I CEUs is as follows:
- The ABCP National Office should receive requests at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of availability to CCPs.
- A completed application must be submitted in electronic form and includes:
- the completed SDCE Program Approval form* including Form and Day schedule tabs detailing the name(s) of educator(s) and the length of time needed for program session(s);
- a list of faculty with titles, credentials, affiliations and/or qualifications;
- fifty (50) minutes of activity or ten (10) full pages of text per CEU;
- a sample of the-
- course evaluation form;
- attendance method or a daily sign-in sheet; and
- certificate or letter of CEU credit.
- an Application fee paid by check or credit card according to the following SDCE Fee Structure-
- Tier I- from 1-10 CEUs $150;
- Tier II- from 11-20 CEUs $250;
- Tier III- from 21-30 CEUs $350;
- Tier IV- for 31 or more CEUs $450.
Form 13e, Form 14e Access the *SDCE Program Approval Forms
The ABCP National Office will notify the sponsor of any deficiency in the application. Upon receipt of a completed application, the ABCP will assign the appropriate SDCE CEUs and notify the sponsor within fourteen (14) days. Applications not completed thirty (30) days prior to date of availability to CCPs must include a $100.00 Late fee. Applications not completed by the date of availability to CCPs will NOT be approved for Category I SDCE CEUs.
Attendance Policy ⤴

CEU Attendance Verification Policy
All Category I CEU approved meetings require participants to sign-in once a day to verify attendance. Photo identification is required for participants to obtain registration materials. Meeting sponsors are required to clearly post or display sign-in period(s).
Meeting sponsors are required to provide verification to all attendees in the form of an official document such as a letter or certificate that specifies the total number of CEUs earned by each individual. This letter or certificate serves as official verification of attendance and CEUs earned. Sponsors are required to maintain attendance records for four (4) years.
SDCE Attendance Verification Policy
All Category I SDCE approved activities require participation in coursework and a minimum passing score of 80% on a post-test verified by the sponsor. SDCE activity sponsors are required to provide verification to all attendees in the form of an official document such as a letter or certificate that specifies the total number of SDCE CEUs earned by each individual. This letter or certificate serves as official verification of SDCEs earned and must be saved by the perfusionist for auditing purposes. Sponsors are required to maintain completion records for four (4) years. A maximum of ten (10) SDCE CEUs approved by ABCP as Category I may be used for professional activity recertification within a three-year reporting cycle. Additional SDCE CEUs may be reported in Category III.
For questions and concerns about CEU program approval please send an email to Phillip Bailey at PBailey@abcp.org