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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.

Paving the Way for Native American Health and Healing

• Rachel Chavez, PA-C, is an advocate for increased Native representation in the medical field through her work at New Life Clinic.

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PA Blends Military Duty and Medicine

• Captain (CPT) Patrick Brady's, MPAS, PA-C, career journey from infantryman to Board Certified PA is driven by a family legacy of military service and a commitment to helping fellow soldiers.

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How PA Profile Data Advances Profession

• With information from about 150,000 Board Certified PAs, NCCPA has the most comprehensive workforce data on the profession. Since 2012, NCCPA researchers have collected data through the PA Professional Profile, an online tool developed based on the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) minimum data set guidelines for health professions.

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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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The Effect of Education Debt on PAs’ Specialty Choice or Preference

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Physician Assistant/Associate Orthopedics Workforce

Demographics and Characteristics of Cardiolog Physician Assistants/Physician Associates in the United States: A Workforce Analysis – JACC: Advances

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.