Message from the President and CEO

It has never been a better time to enter the PA profession. The healthcare industry is experiencing dramatic growth marked by an ever increasing demand for services. At the same time, the industry is being asked to be more transparent and provide metrics that show that patients are satisfied and have quality care. Certified PAs meet these challenges with clear proof points, entering the profession after completing an average of 2000 clinical hours and then passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. In addition, they are committed to lifelong learning as they maintain certification by completing extensive CME and by passing rigorous recertification exams throughout their careers.

This report clearly shows that physicians and employers welcome Certified PAs into their workplaces, as shown by the number of job offers received. We are proud to have these recently Certified PAs join the profession and know that those who employ them will value them as members of high-performing healthcare teams.

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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.