- CPT licensing requirement and scope
- Checking licensing status and application process
- Types of CPT licenses and usage
- CPT licensing ongoing requirements
- Managing licenses and royalties
- How are licensing royalties determined?
- Approved CPT content uses with AI
- Guidance and support for AI-related licensing
- Disclaimer
The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set, created and maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA), is the language of medicine today and the code to its future. This system of terminology is the most widely accepted medical nomenclature used to report medical procedures and services under public and private health insurance programs in the United States.
CPT coding is also used for administrative management purposes such as claims processing and developing guidelines for medical care review. Each year, via a rigorous, evidence-based and transparent process, the independent CPT® Editorial Panel revises, creates or deletes hundreds of codes in order to reflect current medical practice.
The AMA has introduced terms to its licensing agreements to clarify how the CPT® Standard Data File and related content may be used in connection with AI.
The AI terms identify permitted and prohibited uses of AI. They build on the existing license agreement to promote responsible and innovative use of licensed CPT content.
CPT is copyrighted by the AMA and as such must be licensed to be used in electronic products or other forms.
CPT licensing requirement and scope
Do I need a CPT license to use the code set?
If your organization uses, references or displays CPT content, your organization is expected to obtain the appropriate license for your use case. Any entity using CPT content anywhere worldwide must have a license authorizing the use of CPT code set from the AMA or an authorized distributor.
Examples of when a license and royalty payment are required (not an exhaustive list):
- Use of CPT content to develop, test, maintain and service products that use or rely on CPT
- Use of CPT content in products that are licensed or distributed by a vendor, company or other third party
- Distribution of products that require use of CPT content
- Any proposed use of CPT content including the creation of derivative works of CPT content, translations or localized versions of CPT content
Do I need to get a license if the CPT codes are already in my system?
The AMA holds the copyright to the CPT code set and related derivative products. CPT content is copyrighted, maintained and published by the AMA. Any individual or entity using CPT content needs permission or a license (i.e., an end-user agreement, end user license agreement, or other written agreement authorizing use of CPT codes) from the AMA or an authorized distributor.
I purchased the CPT Professional Edition and other CPT related codebooks. Aren't we covered to use the CPT codes?
CPT Professional Edition or other CPT related codebooks are for reference only. They do not provide the purchaser with the ability to use the CPT codes in an electronic product nor may they be copied or transmitted. Please refer to the front portion of CPT Professional Edition regarding these restrictions.
My company licenses other AMA products such as AMA Guides® and/or AMA Physician Professional Data™ already. Do I need to get another license for CPT content?
A license for anything other than the CPT Standard Data File, which contains the CPT code set, is not a license for CPT content.
Checking licensing status and application process
How do I know if my organization has a license for CPT content?
Organizations license CPT content from the AMA directly or through a vendor. Check with staff in your organization or with the software vendor where you use CPT content to determine if you are already licensed for your use case. You may also submit a request to the AMA to determine if your organization is licensed.
Where do I apply for a CPT license?
You can submit a licensing application and contact an AMA CPT licensing specialist. Certain use cases can utilize a self-service licensing application. At this time, organizations eligible for this channel are notified with instructions.
Types of CPT licenses and usage
What type of CPT license do I need?
AMA offers several types of licenses depending on your organization and CPT utilization.
- Private license for internal use (hospitals, clinics, insurance, payers, etc.): An organization may license CPT content from an AMA-authorized distributor to allow utilization of CPT content in connection with a specified product within their organization.
- Distributor license for health technology organizations who utilize CPT content within their products/solutions: The AMA or our distributors license many organizations to use CPT content in a broad array of health technology applications. Organizations across the globe must have a license for each product that contains CPT codes. You may also submit a request to ask an AMA CPT licensing specialist to determine the appropriate type of CPT license for your use.
CPT licensing ongoing requirements
Why do I need to get licensed for CPT content now?
CPT users have always been required to have a CPT license.
Managing licenses and royalties
What is the AMA Royalties Portal and where can I find it?
The AMA Royalties Portal is a centralized hub for managing all aspects of your royalty activities. It’s a user-friendly, self-service platform where you can easily access all your royalty information in one place. In the portal, you can download licensed Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) content, manage your royalty payments, report usage and keep your contact details up-to-date. Learn more.
Can I make changes to my license in the Royalties Portal?
At this time, you cannot change a license through the AMA Intelligent Platform Royalties Portal. Please contact your AMA account representative or submit a help request to an AMA CPT licensing specialist to discuss your interest in new products.
How are licensing royalties determined?
The AMA strives to develop licensing models that are fair, transparent, consistent and easy to apply. The AMA applies different pricing models to determine the applicable royalty. The AMA applies royalties for the use of CPT codes and descriptors based on the type of product in which the CPT content is used and the type of user of the product.
Approved CPT content uses with AI
Why are AI terms added to the license agreements?
The AI Addendum defines permitted AI uses as well as prohibited uses. Explicit terms in this area promotes responsible use and supports innovation.
Can I use the CPT Standard Data File with AI?
Yes, but only as specified in the AI Addendum. Approved AI use cases include:
- Traditional machine learning (e.g., predictive analytics) for internal use
- Retrieval‑based AI that references content when needed
These use cases must align with the terms of your license agreement with the AMA, and any applicable product approvals. For many CPT Standard Data File licensees, retrieval-based AI offers the clearest and most flexible way to enable AI features while maintaining the integrity of licensed CPT content.
Can I train an AI model on CPT Standard Data File content?
No. Using the CPT Standard Data File to train, fine-tune, or improve AI models is prohibited.
What are retrieval rights, and how do they help me use CPT Standard Data File content with AI?
Retrieval rights allow an AI system to reference licensed CPT content at the point of use without embedding that CPT content into the AI model itself.
Can I use CPT Standard Data File content in public or open AI systems?
No. Uploading the CPT Standard Data File into public, unrestricted, or open-market AI systems is prohibited. This is consistent with existing license terms.
Are AI‑generated outputs considered official CPT content?
No. AI-generated outputs are not a substitute for CPT content and should not be treated as authoritative CPT guidance. Where appropriate, output(s) should be identified as AI-generated. CPT content, as updated by the CPT Editorial Panel and licensed by the AMA or its authorized distributors remains the authoritative standard.
Can I share or sell AI outputs that reference CPT content?
Any distribution, monetization, or sublicensing of AI outputs that reference CPT content must be consistent with the terms specified in your CPT license agreement. If you plan to provide these outputs to third parties, AMA can review the AI use case(s) with you and help determine whether such activities are authorized under your agreement.
What if my organization already has a CPT Standard Data File license agreement?
If your organization already has a CPT Standard Data File license agreement, AMA can help assess whether your existing agreement can be updated to support your planned AI use cases or if a new agreement is needed. If you are a current licensee seeking support, please submit a support request or contact your account manager and include your contract ID so we can review the correct account.
Guidance and support for AI-related licensing
What should I do if an AI use case in development is unclear?
If your AI use case is unclear prior to product launch, contact an AMA CPT licensing specialist or your account manager. We can help review the proposed workflow, confirm whether it fits within an approved AI use case, and identify the right licensing path for your organization.
What if we used CPT Standard Data File content with AI before the new AI terms took effect?
AMA has developed a framework to help licensees disclose and transition certain prior AI use cases for compliance with the AMA’s licensing terms. The goal is to create a practical, forward-looking path for alignment under the AMA’s AI terms, including addressing any prior AI uses of CPT content.
What should I do if I want to use CPT Standard Data File content for an AI use case that is not currently permitted?
Certain AI use cases, such as training or fine-tuning, are prohibited. The AMA evaluates other AI use case requests based on the proposed use of CPT content, the technical approach, and the evidence of data protection. For most AI solutions, retrieval rights provide a clear and sustainable path to enabling AI features with CPT Standard Data File content, while continuing to be in compliance with AMA’s licensing requirements.
I am creating a new AI-based product, how do I obtain a CPT license?
If you are building a new AI-based product, you can submit a licensing application and contact an AMA CPT licensing specialist to discuss the right licensing approach for your use case.
Disclaimer
These FAQs are for informational purposes only. The information provided is a general summary and does not modify, alter, or supersede the terms, conditions, or obligations set forth in your express written agreement. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between these FAQs and your executed agreement, the terms of the formal agreement shall govern in all respects.
