Summary of NCCPA Board Actions and Issues
The NCCPA Board of Directors met on August 12, 2005. The following summary describes the actions taken and issues addressed at that meeting.
Modification to Examination Content Blueprints
In 2004, NCCPA contracted with the NBME to conduct a practice analysis to identify needed revisions to the knowledge and skills dimension of the examination content blueprint. Concurrently, NCCPA management conducted an analysis of the organ system dimension. The results of those analyses validated the current blueprint. Thus, the Board accepted the Research & Test Development Committee’s recommendation to make no changes to the percentage allocations on NCCPA’s exams.
Based on work of the Practice Analysis Focus Group that was later validated by the practice analysis survey, the Board approved revisions to the labels assigned to two categories of the blueprint. Effective with the 2006 content blueprint publications, “clinical therapeutics” will be changed to “pharmaceutical therapeutics,” and “applying scientific concepts” will be changed to “applying basic scientific concepts.” Those changes do not reflect changes in the exam’s content but will more accurately describe the knowledge and skills tested under those headings.
Publication of Reportable Disciplinary Actions
As part of NCCPA’s commitment to serving the public interest, the Board approved publicizing reportable disciplinary actions more broadly. Specifically, after all appeals for the physician assistant have been exhausted, information on the disciplinary action will be posted in the Verify PA-C section of NCCPA’s Web site and displayed when an inquiry is made for that particular PA. NCCPA will also notify the AAPA of such disciplinary actions.
Other Issues & Decisions
- The Board approved a document describing the process for submitting a complaint about a certified PA to NCCPA.
- The Board approved minor revisions to the disciplinary policy and referred one procedure to the Review Panel for further consideration.
- The Board approved policy revisions relating to membership on test committees and an increase in the honorarium paid to test committee members.
- NCCPA has two seats that are designated for public directors at large, and the second terms for both public directors expire at the end of this year. In order to maintain a more consistent experience level in the public director seats, the Board approved a two-year extension for one director, to be chosen by lot. As a result of the drawing, Marlene Futterman’s term was extended to December 31, 2007.
- The Board voted to appoint PA director at large and Board secretary, Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA-C, to a second four-year term.
Next Meeting
The Board and its committees will convene in Atlanta on November 11-13.
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