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Become Certified

You’re beginning a rewarding career. Learn more about what it takes to become a Certified PA, what to expect on test day and access certification resources as you begin your exciting journey.

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Maintain Certification

Certified PAs engage in career long learning by documenting continuous study and taking periodic exams to remain certified. Learn more about recertification and certification maintenance requirements as you continue your career as a Certified PA.

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Earn Specialty Certificates

Want to stand out? Learn more about how to earn a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) to show your advanced expertise in your specialty.

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Resources

Need to verify PA credentials? Access our easy-to-use Verify Certification tool.

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Title Change Update

NCCPA recognizes that the titles used by our profession have evolved and continue to evolve and that our profession’s authorization to practice medicine and legally permitted titles are governed by each jurisdiction’s practice acts and by federal regulations.  Therefore, NCCPA shall regard the titles “physician assistant,” “physician associate,” and “PA” as equivalent and synonymous.  NCCPA policies and published guidance that use the terms “physician assistant,” “physician associate,” and/or “PA” shall apply to any Board Certified or certifying PA, regardless of that individual PA’s preferred or assigned title. More information on board certification and title change can be found here.

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Verify Board Certification

Need to verify PA certification and/or disciplinary actions issued by NCCPA? Access our easy-to-use Board Certification Verification tool.

Meet the PA Ambassadors

• The PA Ambassador program brings together Board Certified PAs who collaborate with NCCPA to offer information, contribute ideas and promote the value of the PA profession.

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Why I Volunteer: Sandy Pais Narciso-Owen, MS, MSPAS, PA-C

• Sandy Pais Narciso-Owen, MS, MSPAS, PA-C, is a Board Certified PA with a background in pediatric care. Find out why she believes imposter syndrome is real and how she overcame it.

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REPRESENT! NCCPA Summit® 2024 Underscores Urgent Need for Diversity in PA Profession

• The biennial REPRESENT! NCCPA Summit 2024, “When They See Us,” was held on Sept. 16-17 in Atlanta, providing an opportunity for more than 170 attendees to connect and exchange ideas on boosting diversity, equity and inclusion within the PA profession.

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MEAPA (Maine)

October 2nd - October 4th

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NAMSS

September 29 - October 2, 2024

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Dominican University of California

September 20, 2024

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Comparative Analysis of Physician Assistant/Associate National Certifying Examination (PANCE) Performance Trends: Pre and During COVID-19 Era

Physician Assistants in Plastic Surgery A Descriptive Analysis Using the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants Dataset – BMC

2023 Specialty Supplement Report on Secondary Specialty

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Learn more about our supporting organizations

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The PA History Society

The PA History Society was created to share the history of the development of the PA profession and illustrate how PAs continue to make a difference in our society. Visit their website to learn more about how they’re preserving PA history.

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The NCCPA Health Foundation

The nccPA Health Foundation creates solutions for improving the capacity of Certified PAs to impact the quality and accessibility of health care delivery. Visit their website to learn more about how they’re partnering with PAs to make a difference in communities across the country.