Summary of Board Actions and Issues
The NCCPA Board of Directors met on November 14, 2003. The following summary describes actions taken and issues addressed at that meeting.
Practice-Focused PANRE
Presented with data that indicates that (1) more than 70% of PAs who have taken a recertification exam at least once are satisfied with the current recertification options and (2) the marginal support among PAs for the proposed practice-focused PANRE was contingent upon there being no increase in the exam fee, the Board voted against investing in the creation of that new exam format at this time.
Streamlining the Certification Maintenance Process
NCCPA’s current schedule of deadlines and fees for certification maintenance incorporates flexibility for PAs on many counts. However, that same flexibility has made the schedule somewhat complicated and difficult for some to adhere to and understand. The Board discussed those concerns several times during the last two years and considered several opportunities to streamline the schedule and shore up the process. Ultimately, the Board voted to simply make the CME earning and logging deadlines concurrent. Beginning with the 2004-2006 certification maintenance cycle, PAs must earn and log all required hours between May 1, 2004 and June 30, 2006. PAs who miss the June 30 deadline will be assessed a late processing fee if they complete the requirements on or before the final December 31 deadline and certificate expiration date.
Creation of Certificate Reinstatement Process
Each year, hundreds of PAs lose their certification simply for failing to meet administrative requirements (i.e., earning but not logging all required CME hours or failing to submit payments or reregistration applications). Those PAs have been required to pass an examination to regain certification. At its November meeting, the Board approved a new reinstatement process for those PAs. Those who fail to meet administrative requirements by the certificate expiration date will now be given an additional six months to submit outstanding hours or paperwork and pay a $250 certificate reinstatement fee.
Election of Board Officers, PA Director at Large
On January 1, 2004, John Ogle, MD will assume the office of chairman of the Board, and Gary Winchester, MD will become the immediate past chairman. The Board elected the following directors to serve with Drs. Ogle and Winchester as officers in 2004:
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Dorothy (Disty) Pearson, PA-C, chair elect
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Ed Dunn, MBA, SPHR, treasurer
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Joseph Lagana, EdD, secretary
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Bill Kohlhepp, MHA, PA-C, Executive Committee member at large
The Board also reappointed Ruth Ballweg, PA-C, MPA, to serve a second term on the Board as one of four PA directors at large.
Examining the Components of PA Competence
Earlier this year, NCCPA launched an effort to examine the components of physician assistant competence. At its November meeting, the Board approved a working definition of these competencies developed by one of its committees for further discussion with other stakeholders. The hope is that a cross-organizational meeting can be scheduled in 2004 to start a profession-wide discussion about how various entities can contribute to the promotion and assessment of physician assistant competencies.
Suspension of the Surgery Exam
Presented with financial data that indicated that NCCPA’s Surgery Exam is recouping only a small fraction of the cost of developing and administering that exam and that registration for the examination has diminished substantially, the Board voted to suspend the exam indefinitely after 2004.
Other Issues and Decisions
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The Board approved the 2004 operating and capital budgets. The approved budget includes a new $100 appeals fee that will be charged to the 50-75 PAs who appeal staff decisions each year regarding requests for exceptions to policy. Though it will only cover a fraction of the cost of the appeals process, the Board decided that it would be appropriate for those appellants to help defray the cost of that work being done on their behalf.
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The Board approved revisions to the organization’s disciplinary policy, which addresses consequences for PAs who cheat on exams, falsify credentials, or commit infractions that may result in licensure revocation or other disciplinary actions. The revisions clarified procedural issues. The policy continues to be implemented in a very slow and measured fashion.
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The Board considered a proposal from the Society for the Preservation of PA History and voted to award that organization a $10,000 grant to be applied towards the creation of an archive of the history of PA certification.
Next Meeting
The Board will meet February 6-8, 2004.
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