Online Pathway II Administration Questions
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PANCE Questions
Q. How do I become eligible to take PANCE?
A. Graduate from a PA program accredited by ARC-PA or one of its predecessors. Today, there's no other way to gain PANCE eligibility.
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Q. What happens if I don't pass my exam?
A. You can take PANCE once in a 90-day period or three times a year, whichever is fewer - this applies to all applicants.
Individuals who have never been certified and who graduated from an ARC-PA accredited physician assistant program on or after January 1, 2003, will be eligible to take PANCE for up to six years after completing the requirements for graduation from that program. During that six-year period, the examination may be taken a maximum of six times. When either the six attempts or six years is exhausted, whichever occurs sooner, the individual loses eligibility to take PANCE. The only way to establish new eligibility to take PANCE is to enter into and complete an unabridged ARC-PA accredited physician assistant educational program.
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Q. What do I need to do to have a letter verifying my eligibility for the exam sent to my state board so I can get my temporary license?
A. To request an eligibility
letter, sign in to your personal record and choose Credentialing Info Release from the left-hand menu bar, e-mail us your request (including your name, social security number and to whom it should be sent) or fax or mail your request.
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Q. How do I set up my exam time?
A. After your application is processed, you’ll receive an exam acknowledgement from NCCPA with instructions on how to schedule your exam.
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Q. When will I receive my score?
A. NCCPA will post your exam results in your personal certification record as soon as we receive the results (approximately two weeks after your test date.) We'll notify you by e-mail when the results are received.
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Q. If I have a medical degree, can I get certified as a PA without graduating from a PA program?
A. No. You must graduate from a PA program accredited by ARC-PA or one of its predecessors.
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CME Questions
Q. When are my CME hours due?
A. Your CME hours should be earned and logged by June 30 of your certification expiration year. CME hours earned or logged after the deadline through December 31of your certification expiration year (final postmark deadline) will be accepted but are late and subject to a $100 late processing fee. Sign in your personal certification record to view any outstanding requirements and upcoming deadlines.
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Q. How much does it cost to log CME?
A. It costs $80 to log CME online, and $95 to log CME
via the paper form.
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Q. How do I log my CME?
A. Sign in to your personal certification record, and click the "Log New CME" link on the screen. Or print a
paper form, and write it the old-fashioned way.
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Q. I’ve already logged some CME for this cycle on a paper form with NCCPA. Can I finish logging online?
A. Absolutely! Just pick up right where you left off with your paper form, and start logging online as you earn your CME. However, the hours that have already been approved will be reflected in summary form online
and the paper fee will still apply. (In other words, the number of hours and the category of those hours will be there, without the details about each individual program or activity.)
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Q. I’ve already logged my CME and paid the fee, but I want to do it online now at the online price. Can I get a refund for the $15 difference between the regular fee and the discounted online fee?
A. Sorry—if we’ve already processed the paper CME logging form you submitted, we’ve already incurred the cost associated with that work. But in the future, log online at the discounted rate!
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Q. How do I account for partial hours (i.e., a 1.5 hour seminar)?
A. Simply log the exact number of hours earned according to your certificate with up to two decimal places (ie, 1.75, 2.5, etc).
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Q. Can I get Category I CME credit for certification programs like BLS, ACLS, PALS, ATLS, etc.? How many hours does each program count for? Is there a maximum for each?
A. Yes, you can earn Category I credit for all of the certification programs. Each program has been preapproved for a designated number of hours regardless of who presents the program or where it is presented. View a complete list of certification programs.
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Q. What is the maximum number of hours I can earn for teaching certification programs like BLS, ACLS, etc.?
A. The maximum number of Category I hours that you can earn as an instructor is included in the list of certification programs. However, you may only log those instructor hours once each year (or twice per logging cycle) regardless of how many times you actually teach the course. Additional, duplicative instructing activities may be logged for Category II credit based on the number of hours spent preparing for and teaching the course.
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Q. I just completed an ATLS course but didn't receive a card. What documentation would I need to provide NCCPA if I am audited?
A. The ATLS course does count for
Category I (Preapproved) CME credit even though you did not
receive a card or certificate for completing the course. You
should have received a "letter of audit" indicating that you
attended the course. If you are audited by NCCPA, the letter
of audit (with a date listed) from the CME provider will be sufficient
documentation of the activity.
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Q. I’m an AAPA member. Do I have
to pay the certification maintenance (CME logging) fee?
A. Yes. We charge for our services on an
a la carte basis and are moving towards having each service
we offer stand financially independent of the others. That way, you pay for the services
you use but your fees aren't subsidizing the cost of
services you're not using. The certification
maintenance fee covers the cost of all NCCPA's work
associated with CME logging. The fee is $80 for those
who log on our Web site and $95 for those who submit paper
forms.
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Q. Do I have to pay the CME logging fee the first time I enter any hours?
A. No, you can pay the CME logging fee at any time during the logging cycle.
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Q. I have earned extra Category I CME hours. What’s the best way to use those?
A.
Clinical Category I CME hours earned in excess of the required amount for certification maintenance in the last six years can be logged on our Web site and "banked" to use toward the Elective Component requirement for Pathway II if you think you might be interested in the take-at-home recertification exam. Simply sign in to your record and click “Log Elective Component” from the left-hand menu and follow the on-screen instructions. When you apply for the Pathway II exam, those hours that you've banked for Pathway II will be reviewed and applied as appropriate towards the 100-point elective component requirement. Be sure to maintain the supporting documentation for all of your extra hours.
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Q. How can I get a print-out of the CME I’ve logged?
A. Just sign in
to your personal certification record, and click on the "CME History " link.
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Q. How many Category II hours can I count for precepting PA students? Students from other professions? What about journal reading?
A. There are no maximums on the number of hours that you can earn for any Category II activity. All Category II hours are earned on an hour-for-hour basis.
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Q. Can I earn Category I or Category II CME hours for presenting lectures to PA students or other medical professionals if I'm not a program faculty member?
A. You may only earn Category I credit for delivering lectures to PA students or other medical professionals if the lecture has been approved for Category I credit and the students are earning Category I credit with the issuance of documentation. If the lecture was not preapproved for Category I credit, you may log time spent preparing for and delivering the lecture as Category II credit.
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Q. Can I earn Category II hours for lobbying activities on behalf of the PA profession?
A. Yes.
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Q. Can I earn CME credit for any type of committee work performed for PA or other healthcare organizations?
A. Category II hours should be practice-related, voluntary, self-learning activities. If you serve on committees at the local, state or national level that meet those qualifications, you may log the time you spend on committee work for Category II credit.
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Q. How long do I need to keep my Category I CME documentation?
A. You should keep your Category I CME documentation for your current CME cycle and your last CME cycle. For example, if you are currently on a 2005-2007 CME cycle you would need to keep that documentation and the 2003-2005 CME cycle documentation. We do not audit Category II CME. This is the policy for NCCPA, not the state medical boards. You will need to check with your state medical board regarding their auditing requirements.
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CME Audit Questions
Q. What is the NCCPA CME audit?
A. To ensure the accuracy and professionalism of CME logging, NCCPA randomly audits the Category I CME hours of certified PAs. To complete the CME audit, randomly selected PAs must submit supporting documentation for each of their Category I activities.
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Q. How often does NCCPA audit PAs?
A. NCCPA audits PAs for every two-year certification maintenance cycle.
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Q. How will I know that I have been randomly selected for the NCCPA CME Audit?
A. PAs selected for the CME audit will be notified by postal mail and by e-mail.
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Q. What do I need to submit as documentation to support the Category I CME hours logged?
A. Acceptable supporting documentation includes certificates received upon completion on an activity from the CME provider, a hospital-generated list of programs attended, a completed AAPA Annual Conference CME Planner or written verification of attendance or hours earned form the CME provider. Other documentation may be considered at the discretion of NCCPA.
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Q. How do I submit my documentation?
A. Supporting documentation can be mailed (12000 Findley Road, Suite 200, Duluth, GA 30097), faxed (678.417.8135) or e-mailed to audit@nccpa.net. Be sure to include your name and NCCPA certificate number on all materials.
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Q. What happens if I can’t provide documentation for at least 50 of my Category I hours?
A. PAs who are unable to submit supporting documentation for at least 50 Category I hours will fail the CME audit and will automatically be audited again for their next cycle. In the second audit, PAs are required to submit appropriate documentation as
they log their Category I hours.
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Q. What if I need more time to submit my supporting documentation?
A. If you have a severe and extenuating circumstance which has prohibited you from providing the requested documentation in support of your Category I hours, you may request an extension to submit your documentation. To request an extension to submit your documentation, please submit a written request explaining your situation before the six-week deadline passes.
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Q. May I submit additional Category I CME hours to meet the audit requirements?
A. Yes. Additional Category I CME hours can be submitted to meet the audit requirements as long as the hours have not previously been logged to meet either certification maintenance or elective component requirements and the hours were earned within the earning window of the cycle that is being audited.
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Q. On my CME Audit Transcript, some hours are listed as “confirmed.” What are “confirmed” hours?
A. Confirmed hours are those Category I hours that NCCPA received directly from a CME provider. Since these hours have been verified by the CME provider upon electronic transmission to NCCPA, no additional supporting documentation is required.
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Q. What is the CME Audit Detail Report?
A. The CME Audit Detail Report is your audit transcript that shows which Category I hours have been verified by NCCPA and any discrepancies in activity information that was logged,( i.e., incorrect sponsor, incorrect provider, incorrect activity name and/or date, etc.) and any information submitted in your supporting documentation.
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Q. What is the CME Post Audit Final Transcript?
A. The CME Post Audit Final Transcript reflects the final outcome of the CME audit and becomes the current transcript on record for a PA for the audited cycle.
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Recertification Questions
Q. When do I recertify?
A. For the best answer to this question, sign in and view your personal certification record. But generally speaking, you need to pass the recertification exam every six years, with the option to take it a year early.
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Q. Can I take the Pathway II exam after 2010?
A. The last administration of Pathway II will take place in 2010; therefore if you will not be in the fifth or sixth year of your certification maintenance cycle, you will not be able to take Pathway II.
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Q. How do I apply for the exam?
A. The quickest, easiest way to apply for a recertification exam is via our online application. Just sign in and click the "View details about your recertification status" link in the Exam Notes box of your My Record page. Or
you can print an application and send it to us via fax or mail.
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Q. What happens if I don’t pass the exam?
A. You must pass by the end of the sixth year, but you can take the test in years 5 and 6 and have up to four attempts (two per year) to test and pass.
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Q. I have earned extra Category I CME hours. What’s the best way to use those?
A. Clinical Category I CME credits earned in excess of the required amount for certification maintenance in the last six years can be logged on our Web site and "banked" to use toward the Elective Component requirement for Pathway II if you think you might be interested in the take-at-home recertification exam. Simply sign in to your record and click “Log Elective Component” from the left-hand menu and follow the on-screen instructions. When you apply for the Pathway II exam, those hours that you've banked for Pathway II will be reviewed and applied as appropriate towards the 100-point elective component requirement. Be sure to maintain the supporting documentation for all of your extra hours.
Q. Do I have to submit my CME before I test?
A. No. However, any past due fees (i.e., certification or late fees) must be paid before you can test.
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Online Pathway II Administration Questions
Q. I am registered for the Pathway II exam but have not yet been notified how to access it. When will I be notified?
A. Approximately 7 to 10 days prior to the opening of the exam window, you will receive an e-mail from NCCPA with exam access instructions.
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Q. Where will I access the Pathway II exam?
A. Sign in to your personal certification record using your NCCPA ID number and chosen password. Then, click the Pathway II Exam Access link in the left-menu column, and follow the instructions on the Pathway II Access Page.
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Q. When will I first be able to access the Pathway II exam?
A. At 12:01 am Eastern Standard Time on the first day of the exam window.
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Q. When must I have the exam completed by?
A. All responses must be entered online before 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time on the last day of the exam window.
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Q. I cannot sign in to the exam. What should I do?
A. E-mail nccpa@nccpa.net or call 678-417-8100. Support is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (except on holidays).
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Q. Are there sections to the exam?
A. The examination has three sections: The Tutorial, the Exam and the Survey. The 300-question exam itself is only one section.
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Q. How do I print the exam?
A. Sign in to your personal certification record using your NCCPA ID number and chosen password. Then, click the Pathway II Exam Access link in the left-menu column, and follow the instructions on the Pathway II Access Page.
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Q. I cannot print the exam what should I do?
A. E-mail nccpa@nccpa.net or call 678-417-8100. Support is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (except on holidays).
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Q. My computer crashed while taking the exam. What should I do?
A. If your computer crashes or you are disconnected from the Internet during the exam, try restarting your computer and logging back in to the exam. Your answers are saved each time a new question is accessed, so you will not lose any of your work. If you are unable to re-access the exam, try accessing the exam from another computer or e-mail nccpa@nccpa.net or call 678-417-8100 for technical support. Support is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (except on holidays).
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Q. How do I know my exam has been electronically submitted?
A. After the close of the Pathway exam window, you will receive an e-mail confirming that we received your exam.
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Q. When will I receive my Pathway II scores?
A. You should receive your Pathway II exam scores approximately eight weeks after the end of the examination window.
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Q. Since the exams are completed electronically, why does it take up to eight weeks for the scores to be received?
A. Even though the exam is electronic, Pathway II questions are not pre-tested, which means each question goes through a validation process prior to scoring. After a preliminary analysis of the exam results, additional statistical analyses are used to identify items that appear to have been problematic or flawed. Content experts review those items to determine whether the answers had been keyed incorrectly or whether the item itself was flawed in some way. Also, from time to time, Pathway II examinees will contact NCCPA with questions or concerns about particular exam items, which are also reviewed prior to scoring. When a flawed item is identified by the content experts, it is removed from the group of scored items and is not included in the scoring process.
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Self Assessment Questions
Q. Who can take a self assessment?
A. The self assessments are designed for PAs who are eligible for an NCCPA examination. PAs should use the self assessment as a tool to assess their relative strengths and weaknesses, to direct their study efforts and to familiarize themselves with the types of questions they’ll see on the actual certifying examinations.
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Q. Is there a self assessment for Pathway II?
A. No. Since Pathway II is a six-week, open-book, un-timed exam, it is not possible to offer a Pathway II Self Assessment. However, PAs deciding whether to take the PANRE or the Pathway II recertifying exam are encouraged to take the PANRE Self Assessment, so they’ll be able to make a more informed decision.
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Q. What types of content do the self assessments cover?
A. The content of the self assessments mirrors the examination content blueprint.
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Q. What is the format of the self assessment?
A. Each self assessment includes 120 multiple-choice questions divided into two sections of 60 questions each. PAs have 60 minutes to complete each section for a total of two hours of testing time.
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Q. How much time is allotted to answer the items on the self assessment?
A. Like the certifying exams, the self assessment provides approximately one minute per item.
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Q. Are the self assessment items actually previously used items on PANCE and PANRE?
A. Yes.
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Q. How much does the self assessment cost?
A. The self assessment costs $35, which must be paid by credit card when you apply.
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Q. How do I apply for a self assessment?
A. PAs can access the self assessment application online by signing in to their personal certification record 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Once registered, PAs will have 180 days to complete the self assessment online.
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Q. When can I first access the self assessment after I apply?
A. After you apply, you’ll be able to immediately access the self assessment. You’ll have 180 days to complete the self assessment.
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Q. Are there special computer requirements needed to take the self assessment?
A. When you access the self assessment application from your personal certification record, you’ll see a list of the system requirements. If you see a green check next to each requirement, your computer will support the self assessment program. If you see a red “X” next to any of the requirements, your computer, as it is currently configured, will not support the self assessment program; please contact your system administrator.
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Q. Do I have to finish the self assessment in one sitting?
A. No. Unlike the actual certifying examinations, the self assessment allows you to stop working on the self assessment and return later. You will not lose any time; and when you log back into the self assessment, you’ll be returned to the last question that you had previously accessed. All responses are saved when you access the next question, so taking a break will not cause you to lose any answers you’ve already entered.
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Q. Are answers and/or explanations to the self assessment items available?
A. No. The self assessment is designed to provide participants with feedback about their relative strengths and weaknesses in the content areas that make up NCCPA’s examination content blueprint.
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Q. What kind of performance feedback will I receive?
A. As soon as you complete the self assessment, you’ll receive a performance profile, which graphically displays your relative strengths and weaknesses in the content areas that make up NCCPA’s examination content blueprint. The performance profile should be used to help drive your study and preparation efforts for the actual exam.
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Q. Can I view a sample performance profile?
A. Yes. To view a sample performance profile, click here.
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Q. Will my performance profile be released to anyone else?
A. No. Performance profiles are available only to participants.
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Q. How long will my performance profile be available?
A. You’ll always be able to access your performance profile from the self assessment overview page in your personal certification record.
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Q. How many self assessments can I take?
A. PAs who are eligible to take an NCCPA examination may take as many self assessments as there are available, but each self assessment may only be taken once. Self assessments may only be taken one time to ensure that the content area rather than the particular question asked is being studied.
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Q. Can I review my self assessment?
A. Once your self assessment has been scored, you CANNOT review the questions or your answers. However, while you are working within each section, you can change answers or mark them for review. When you exit a section, your responses have been saved and submitted making your answers final.
You can review and print your performance profile at any time after completing the self-assessment.
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Q. Can I get my money back if I’m unable to take the exam after applying for it?
A. No. Refunds will not be issued for the self assessment.
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Q. What happens to my answers if I lose my Internet connection while taking the self assessment?
A. The system records all of your answers each time you access a question. If you are disconnected from the Internet or logged out of the self assessment program, you will re-start the self assessment on the same test question you left off on when you sign back in to the self assessment.
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Q. Can I take the exam un-timed?
A. No. The self assessment is designed to mirror the testing environment and timing constraints of an actual exam. If you need to take a break during the self assessment, you have the convenience of being able to log out of the self assessment without losing any of your time. When you log back in, you have the same amount of time remaining to finish the block of questions. For the real PANCE and PANRE examinations, you are not able to take any breaks within a section of the test.
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Q. Can I print the self assessment?
A. No. The only part of the self assessment that you’ll be able to print will be your performance profile.
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Q. Can I submit a NCCPA self assessment for Category I CME credit?
A. No. NCCPA’s self assessments are not preapproved for Category I CME credit. However, the self assessment can be submitted for Category II CME credit.
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Miscellaneous Questions
Q. How can I be sure that it’s safe to provide my credit card number over the Web?
A. We use the best encryption technology available—the same software used by all Fortune 500 companies who conduct e-commerce. The credit card data you provide to us on our Web site can only be interpreted here at our office.
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Q. How can I get a receipt for the payment I submitted?
A. To print a receipt for any payments made to NCCPA since 2004, sign in to your personal certification record at www.nccpa.net and click the "Receipt" link in the left-hand column of your My Record page and then follow the on-screen instructions.
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Q. How do I get my scores/verification sent to my state for licensing?
A. We can provide verification of certification over the phone (678.417.8100), but we need to receive requests for the release of scores online or in writing. You can sign in to your personal record and choose Credentialing Info Release, e-mail us your request (including your name, social security number and to whom it should be sent) or fax or mail your request.
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Q. My name has changed. How do I update NCCPA's records?
A. To make name changes, sign in
to your personal certification record, click on the "Personal Info" link, and follow the instructions from there. A name change is not final until NCCPA receives a copy of your valid drivers license or passport.
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Q. How do I change my contact information (address, telephone, e-mail)?
A. Glad you asked! Sign in to your personal certification record, click on the
"Make Corrections " link in the top right-hand corner of your My Record page, and follow the simple instructions from there. Or, e-mail the new information to nccpa@nccpa.net; be sure to include your name and social security or NCCPA ID number.
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webmaster • (678) 417-8100
12000 Findley Road Suite 200 • Duluth, GA 30097-1409
