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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.

New Interactive Learning Tool Debuts at PAEA

• The PA History Society is launching a new resource for faculty who teach the history of the PA profession. At the recent PAEA Forum, PAHx demonstrated their new online, interactive Educational Modules, designed to bring the history of the PA profession to life.

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PA Spotlight: Rewriting Burnout: How One PA Found A New Way Forward

• After 23 years in dermatology, Hope Cook, MMSc, PA-C, turned dread into a blueprint for renewal by reshaping her work, embracing creativity and coaching others to do the same.

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Rehab Through PA and PT Collaboration

• As October marks National Physical Therapy Month, Krystal Martin, PT, DPT, MPAS, PA-C, highlights the collaboration between physical therapists and PAs in improving patient outcomes.

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UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine

UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine

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2024 Statistical Profile of Recently Board Certified PAs

Characteristics of family medicine physician associates/assistants in the United States

Understanding burnout in PAs through the lens of Conservation of Resources theory

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.