Celebrating 50 Years of Certification, Excellence
Celebrating 50 Years of Certification, Excellence
by Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed.D, PA-C, ICE-CCP, FACHE
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the incredible journey that has shaped NCCPA into what it is today.
By continuing to protect the integrity of the Board Certified PA-C credential, we remain dedicated to ensuring its continued significance and influence in the profession we are honored to serve.
Since the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) administered the first PA certifying examination to 880 candidates in 1973, we have seen extraordinary growth and transformation within our organization and the PA profession.
In 1974, fourteen national health organizations united with a shared vision to establish the NCCPA, ensuring the highest standards of competency for PAs. This collaborative effort laid the foundation for our mission to provide oversight regarding eligibility and uphold rigorous certification standards, offering assurance to state medical boards, employers and the public about the capabilities of PAs.
Since our incorporation in 1974, NCCPA has certified more than 200,000 PAs, a testament to our unwavering commitment to setting professional standards that meet the needs of our partners. This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication and contributions of our employees, both new and tenured, as well as the support of our partner organizations.
Over the past five decades, NCCPA has been at the forefront of innovation.
We introduced the PANRE in 1981, redesigned the PANCE in 1983 and provided the take-home version of PANRE, known as “Pathway II,” from 1996 to 2010. In 1999, we marked a significant milestone by administering the first computerized PANCE, further advancing the accessibility and efficiency of our exams.
Our commitment to the PA profession extends beyond exams. In 2005, we established the nccPA Health Foundation, and six years later, we welcomed the PA History Society.
In 2006, we took a bold step by ending our contract with NBME, bringing all exam activities in-house. This move allowed us to further refine and enhance the certification process, ensuring it remained relevant and rigorous. In 2011, we administered the first CAQs, adding another layer of recognition for specialized expertise within the PA profession.
Our most recent innovation, the launch of PANRE-LA in January 2023, is an example of our dedication to continuous improvement and adaptability in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.
Reflecting on five decades of growth and innovation, we are also thrilled to launch the inaugural PAsDoThat! Magazine. This platform will celebrate the incredible talent and inspiring stories of the PA community, spotlighting the diverse ways PAs make a difference. This new initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to elevating the unique contributions of the PA profession and telling the stories of those shaping the next 50 years.
So, I want to sincerely thank each of you for being part of this remarkable journey, for the work you are doing today and for your dedication to the future of our growing profession.