Message from the President and CEO

We have much to celebrate in the profession’s 50th year anniversary! Our annual “check-up” on Certified PAs by specialty reveals the nimbleness of the profession and a healthy, expanding workforce of more than 115,000 Certified PAs delivering high quality care across all specialties and clinical settings. We are capable, versatile and well prepared to work in today’s interdisciplinary healthcare model.

In this time of growth, Certified PAs are working in 69 unique medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. In fact, an overwhelming majority of Certified PAs work in specialties outside of primary care. We continue to meet expanding health needs in areas such as family and emergency medicine and are increasing our ranks in highly specialized areas such as orthopaedic surgery and cardiothoracic and vascular surgery.

Data also show that Certified PAs are meeting patients where they live. We’re notably filling care gaps in rural states such as Alaska, Idaho and Montana where PA-to-patient ratios are higher than most states. PAs can offer or coordinate specialized care for patients in these rural areas and improve their access to timely, high-quality treatment. I am delighted to see that PAs are out front in communities with provider deficits and rendering affordable, top-notch care to patients of all medical needs and socioeconomic statuses.

In this milestone year, we have opportunities to increase our footprint in a number of medical specialties and the capacity for growth looks promising. We hope this report inspires informed conversation within and outside the field and works to enhance the full utilization of Certified PAs in all the settings and specialties in which we work.

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About the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is the only certifying organization for the 139,000 physician assistants (PAs) in the United States. The PA-C credential is awarded by NCCPA to PAs who fulfill certification, certification maintenance and recertification requirements. NCCPA also administers the Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) program for experienced, Certified PAs practicing in seven specialties. For more information, visit https://www.nccpa.net.