Beginning with the 2000-2002 CME logging cycle, NCCPA will randomly select and audit CME submissions.

In February 2003, the first PAs will be chosen for auditing and will receive a request for original documentation of all Category I CME activities.

Acceptable documentation could include a certificate of attendance, a copy of a certification wallet card, a hospital-generated list of programs attended, a completed AAPA conference CME Planner or written verification of attendance from the CME provider.

PAs who are unable to provide acceptable documentation of at least 50 hours of Category I activities or whose submissions are disapproved during the auditing process will be audited again after the next logging cycle. They must provide appropriate documentation of all Category I CME activities with their CME logging forms.

"While we don’t expect to find widespread discrepancies when we begin the auditing process, this is a logical step for NCCPA to take in the interest of advancing our mission: to assure the public and others that NCCPA-credentialed physician assistants meet established standards of knowledge and clinical skills upon entry into practice and thoughout their careers," says Diane Boyd, director of certification services.

"At the same time, we don’t want to levy harsh penalties on PAs who simply lost paperwork or inadvertently misreported an activity as Category I," she continues. "Hopefully PAs will find our policies fair and the auditing process simple to navigate."

NCCPA staff members have visited nine PA educational programs so far this year, reaching a few hundred students with first-hand information about the certification process.

Those program visits are part of a larger effort to reach students with the information they need to become certified and maintain certification throughout their careers.

Wagner College’s PA program director Nora Lowy, PA-C, reported that her students found the presentation and question-and-answer session very informative.

She said, "Even though, for the most part, it was information we had already given them, it was nice for them to hear it straight from the source. They saw that someone from headquarters really thinks about them and cares enough to come see them in person. NCCPA isn’t just a faceless organization for these students any more."

Other schools visited include the University of Colorado, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Beaver College, Albany Medical College, Midwestern University, Allentown College and Cornell University. Those programs responded to an offer issued last fall to all program directors for a visit from NCCPA staff.

"The students were very interested in the certification process, and they were especially grateful to receive information on common mistakes they should avoid to make sure their exam applications are received and processed in a timely manner," said Jocelyn Sweatman, NCCPA’s certification maintenance manager. She and Steven Scales, exam administration assistant, conducted the program visits.

NCCPA plans to visit other programs next Spring.

Fall 1999 PANCE examinees told us what study materials they found most helpful during preparation for the exam. Though NCCPA is not recommending or endorsing these references and study materials, we thought you’d like to know what your fellow PAs recommend. Here is a list, in no particular order, of the most frequently cited references:

Here are some of the tips we’ve offered to PA students to ensure successful exam registration.

1. Write legibly. Many applications have to be returned because we simply can’t read them.

2. Follow directions and complete every item. One missing piece of information could delay your application for weeks.

3. Double-check that you’ve correctly entered your PA program code. They’re listed in the application booklet.

4. Don’t use your nickname! Remember that your name will appear on your certificate as it appears on your exam application.

5. Be sure to sign your application and include your payment.

6. Mail your application before the deadline via a traceable delivery service. By using certified mail or an expedited delivery carrier and tracking its progress, you don’t have to worry about your application being irretrievably "lost in the mail."

NCCPA is conducting its second annual You Tell Us! Survey.

Mailed in April to 1,000 randomly-selected PA-C designees, the survey is designed to help us serve you better. In particular, we’re interested in receiving feedback on whether you’re receiving the information you need when you need it via an appropriate communications vehicle.

Last year’s survey produced several changes to NCCPA’s communications program, including the redesign of NCCPA Connect, the introduction of our fax-on-demand system and the move to a quarterly newsletter.

If you received a survey and haven’t returned it yet, please do so!

If you didn’t receive a survey but would like to share your thoughts about how we’re doing, send your comments to feedback@nccpa.net.

Thank you!

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If you’re attending the American Academy of Physician Assistants annual conference in Chicago, plan to visit NCCPA’s information booth, located next to the AAPA’s CME desk in the registration area.

In addition to getting the latest information about exams and the certification process, you’ll be able to get a sneak preview of NCCPA’s Web-based CME logging system.

Scheduled for launch later this year, the on-line system will allow PAs to log CME, receive notification via e-mail of its approval status, and keep a running tab of how many hours they’ve logged. And you’re input at the AAPA conference will be instrumental as we continue to develop the on-line logging system.

Also in conjunction with the AAPA conference, the Third Annual Open Forum with the NCCPA Board of Directors will be conducted on Wednesday, May 31, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in room E352 of the McCormick Place Convention Center. This is your chance to ask the board about the certification process, CME logging, new policies and any other certification-related issues you have on your mind.

NCCPA has a formal appeals policy, described in detail in a document that’s available on demand— Policy and Procedures for Exceptions to Policy, Examination Grievances, Complaints and Appeals.

If you decide to register a complaint, file a grievance or make an appeal, request that document right away. (You must contact us within 10 days of the exam if you want to file an exam grievance.)

The document is available in four parts via our fax-on-demand system:

#116—Exceptions to Policy

#117—Examination Grievances

#118—Complaints

#119—Appeals

Or contact Lisa Rannels at 770.734.4521 or lisar@nccpa.net to request a mailed copy.

1.Submit a completed reregistration application and payment directly to NCCPA.
2. Log 100 hours of CME with either NCCPA or AAPA.

And keep in mind that after July 31, we’ll begin assessing late processing fees for reregistration applications and CME logging.

• Ric Sanchez, PhD, has joined the NCCPA staff as director of research and testing. He’ll oversee the development and administration of our exams, as well as NCCPA’s research efforts.
• Hank Cohn is NCCPA’s new director of information technology. As such, he’ll spearhead efforts to develop NCCPA’s on-line services to include Web-based CME logging, exam registration and more.
• Director of Certification Services Diane Boyd’s phone extension was published incorrectly in our last issue. You may contact Diane at ext. 4505 or dianeb@nccpa.net.