PAs should keep NCCPA’s streamlined certification maintenance process in mind and submit all CME hours and the certification maintenance fee by June 30.

First announced in the Summer 2004 edition of the NCCPA News, this new policy creates concurrent earning and logging windows and eliminates one of the deadlines in the certificate expiration year.

The old deadline system, which included three, staggered deadlines, was instituted to provide time to process CME hours from a growing certified PA population and to create flexibility in the process for PAs.

“Many certified PAs reported to us that the staggered deadline approach was more confusing than helpful,” said Janet J. Lathrop, NCCPA president. “In an effort to be responsive to those concerns, this new streamlined policy with one key deadline – June 30 – was adopted.”

A rapid increase in the use of NCCPA’s online logging services – more than 97% of CME hours logged last year were submitted via the Web – has allowed NCCPA to transition to this streamlined deadline schedule even as the total number of CME hours logged increases.

Further, Web site enhancements launched last year automatically approve CME activities from known providers when the activities are submitted online. This system dramatically reduces processing time for known activities and allows PAs to keep an accurate running count of exactly how many hours they have left to earn.

For PAs with certificates expiring in 2006, their required 100 CME hours should be earned and logged between May 1, 2004 and June 30, 2006. PAs still have the flexibility to earn or log after the deadline until the December 31 certification expiration date, but a $100 late fee will be assessed for hours submitted or certification maintenance payments made after the deadline.

Sign in to your personal certification record to check the status of your certification and determine a plan to meet your certification maintenance requirements by the June 30 deadline.

AAPA Conference attendees are invited to NCCPA’s Information and Resource Center in Room 122 North of the Moscone Convention Center, May 28 – May 31, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Attendees can take advantage of quick educational sessions throughout the conference day on a variety of NCCPA products and services, including the new self-assessment exams, online CME logging, streamlined CME logging for the AAPA conference, and more.

Staff and NCCPA leaders will be available to answer PAs questions about certification and walk them through the many services available at NCCPA Connect.

Conference attendees can also take advantage of an opportunity to earn Category I credit while brushing up on the requirements for certification maintenance by attending, “The Latest on NCCPA and PA Certification,” Sunday, May 28, 2006 at 8:00 a.m.

Redesigned Process Makes Logging CME from AAPA Conference Easier

Certified PAs attending this year’s American Academy of Physician Assistant’s 34th Annual Conference in San Francisco, California, will find a redesigned conference logging process that saves time and effort by allowing PAs to come directly to NCCPA’s Web site to submit their hours.

First developed in 2005 by leveraging the resources of NCCPA and AAPA, the special conference logging process was designed to electronically transmit the CME earned by PAs at the conference from AAPA to NCCPA.

Favorable feedback from PAs indicated that the new process was a great idea, especially given the vast number of CME opportunities available at the conference; but PAs also reported that selecting their hours on AAPA’s site and then confirming them on NCCPA’s site often took extra time. Further, they reported that the process sometimes lacked the necessary flexibility to ensure accurate reporting, which then resulted in having to re-log hours.

“Based on PA’s feedback from last year, we redesigned the process – incorporating enhancements to address the concerns raised by PAs,” said Lori Leal, NCCPA’s vice president of operations and finance. “The new, simplified process reduces time and effort when PAs come directly to NCCPA’s Web site – making conference logging a one-stop shopping process.”

Certified PAs, who attend the conference, simply sign in to their personal certification record and select the activities they attended from the master list. Once selected, the activities are recorded in the PA’s file and become part of the PA’s permanent certification record.

To facilitate the new process, NCCPA has continued to work with AAPA, who will provide key ingredients for the redesigned process. AAPA will provide confirmation of PA’s attendance, which also serves as verification for the hours submitted by the PA. As a result, AAPA conference hours are considered confirmed hours and will not be subject to review again during an NCCPA audit.

“It’s our hope that the revamped AAPA conference logging process, will serve as a blueprint for developing streamlined logging processes for state PA conferences, where AAPA serves as the CME sponsor,” said Leal.

For more information about how to log your 2006 AAPA conference hours, visit NCCPA’s Information & Resource Center in Room 122 North of the Moscone Convention Center,
May 28-31, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Certified PAs may begin logging their conference activities via the new process at NCCPA Connect approximately one week after the conclusion of the conference.

Back to top

Four Orgs Develop PA Competencies Web Site

NCCPA, the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) have developed a Web site to educate PAs about the evolution of the PA competencies project.

After nearly two years of collaborative effort, Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession was approved by the governing bodies of the four national PA organizations in 2005. The four organizations believe that the next crucial step in the project is sharing the work already completed with the profession.

“The approval of the physician assistant competencies document by the four national PA organizations was a huge step in the development of our profession,” said Bill Kohlhepp, MHA, PA-C, NCCPA chairman of the Board. “As each organization evaluates their next step, we also wanted to foster a greater understanding and invite discussion by all PAs about this project and the future of the profession.”

The Web site, which will be accessible by a link on each of the organizations’ Web sites, includes a copy of the Competencies for the PA Profession document, a self-evaluation tool, and references and resources.

“I’d encourage all PAs to visit the site,” said Kohlhepp. “Not only are you able to read the document, but we’ve also created a tool that you can use to individually evaluate yourself on the competencies. Further, reference documents provide greater insight into the development of the PA competency project and the development of similar projects in other medical professions.”

In addition to the Web site, the four organizations plan to provide a mailed copy of the Competencies for the PA Profession document to PAs in the next few weeks.

Back to top

Short Takes

New Public Director Joins Board
NCCPA recognizes Linda Golodner, the newest edition to its Board of Directors. Golodner, the president and CEO of the National Consumers League, brings a keen interest in health care and public safety to NCCPA’s Board where she began her term as a public director at large on January 1. Her impressive CV includes service on the boards of the National Council on Patient Information and Education, the National Patient Safety Foundation, the Patient Safety Institute, the American National Standards Institute and many others.

“The combination of interest, awareness and experience that Linda brings to NCCPA is a perfect fit for the role of a public director on NCCPA’s Board,” said Bill Kohlhepp, MHA, PA-C, NCCPA chairman of the Board. “Linda’s voice represents the needs and expectations of our patients, and I look forward to working with her on NCCPA’s Board of Directors.”

Regarding her interest in NCCPA, Golodner said, “I am interested in NCCPA because I am committed to assuring patient safety, better communication between health professionals and patients, and an unwavering integrity in the system that certifies physician assistants.”

The National Consumers League is the nation’s oldest consumer organization with a priority program devoted to heath care.

PAs Log Most CME Yet in 2005
Last year, certified PAs logged 602,674 activities, which translated into more than 3.95 million hours of continuing medical education sessions attended by PAs, a true testament to the profession’s commitment to lifelong learning. In addition, more than 97% of those activities were submitted via NCCPA’s online logging services.

Back to top

Q & A Corner

Q. What are my options if I am unable to take my recertification exam after I’ve scheduled my exam date?

A. If a severe and extenuating circumstance arises after you’ve scheduled your exam, you may submit a written request for an exception to policy. Severe and extenuating circumstances may include military service, medical illness, a death in the family or natural disasters. Requests should be accompanied by verifiable, supporting documentation that clearly explains the circumstance that is affecting your ability to take the exam. Once NCCPA receives your documentation, a staff member will advise you of your exam options. Keep in mind, this process may not be used to appeal a failing exam score.

Q. My certification expires at the end of this year. When do I need to log my CME?

A. The best way to keep track of your certification maintenance requirements is to sign in to your personal certification record. On your “My Record” page, you’ll be able to view a snapshot of exactly what requirements you need to complete and by when. PAs with certificates that expire in 2006 should keep in mind that all CME must be earned and logged and the certification maintenance fee must be paid by June 30, 2006.

Back to top

Dates and Deadlines

Click here for a current listing of dates and deadlines.

Back to top