Imbued with a strong sense of responsibility to assure that PAs meet professional standards of knowledge and skills, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) strives to meet the needs of its stakeholders efficiently, effectively and honorably.

NCCPA is the only certifying organization for PAs in the United States. Established as a not-for-profit organization in 1974, NCCPA provides certification programs that reflect standards for clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning and other medical skills and professional behaviors required upon entry into practice and throughout the careers of PAs.

Our core values guide us as we make decisions and conduct ourselves as individuals and as an organization. We apply these core values both in our work to support the PA profession and in our collaboration with one another.

We believe that values must be embodied by everyone who is part of NCCPA, and we are committed to the PRACTICE of:

• Professionalism – We show genuine respect and regard for everyone we interact with, those we certify and for their patients, while conducting NCCPA business and lead by serving others before ourselves.
• Responsibility – We are dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of the credentials we confer. We recognize the responsibility to apply our experience and expertise to benefit the PA profession, the organization, and our colleagues.
• Accountability – We embrace the obligation we bear as the PA profession’s certifying body to develop and administer relevant exams that reflect industry standards, and we hold ourselves accountable to the profession, the organization and one another to support NCCPA’s mission.
• Collaboration – We foster a culture of teamwork, intellectual exchange, and diverse perspectives. By working with the public and partners, we drive innovation and build a shared vision of the role of the PA on the health care team.
• Trust – We earn trust through meaningful connections, transparent communication, dependable performance, and ethical conduct.
• Inclusion –We are committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work and endeavor to foster diversity within the PA profession and health care.
• Certification – We believe in the inherent value of certification and certification maintenance that fosters ongoing learning throughout a PA’s career for the benefit of those who rely upon PAs for medical care.
• Excellence – We thoughtfully and purposefully seek ways to build the public and partners’ confidence in NCCPA credentials and add value to the products and services we provide, always working to address changing needs appropriately and effectively. NCCPA demonstrates excellence in its work by delivering high-quality services and products and being responsive to an evolving workplace environment.

NCCPA promotes high-quality patient care in the changing world of medicine through certification and recertification. PAs, patients, and other stakeholders view the PA-C credential as a commitment to evidence-based, equitable, accessible care. NCCPA is an innovative global leader that is respected for its data-driven decision-making, integrity, and research.

NCCA Accreditation
NCCPA has earned accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The NCCA is the accrediting arm of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). Established in 1977 as a nonprofit organization, ICE is a leader in setting quality standards for certifying organizations.