As more states adopt “Physician Associate” as the legal title for the PA profession, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) has clarified its policies to ensure consistent recognition of all Board Certified PAs.

In June, New Hampshire became the third state to enact legislation adopting Physician Associate as the profession’s official title, following Oregon and Maine. While the profession continues to evolve, NCCPA emphasizes that its Board Certification process remains rigorous and nationally recognized.

Addressing Title Change and State Regulation

In response to the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) 2021 vote to change the professional title to Physician Associate, NCCPA has aligned its policies with the reality that state and federal regulations govern PA practice and licensure, including the official professional title and the required credential for initial licensure. NCCPA recognizes that professional titles are determined by individual states and can differ among them.

Recognizing that titles can differ by state, NCCPA treats “Physician Assistant,” “Physician Associate,” and “PA” as interchangeable and synonymous for certification and credentialing purposes.

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