Statement by Josanne Pagel following NCCPA’s November 18th PANRE Proposal Communication

On November 18, 2016, NCCPA announced that it had finalized its plans for modifying PA maintenance of certification requirements. It has discarded its proposal to require PAs to take a closed-book, proctored exam in a specialty area, as well as its plans to introduce either several take-home exams or other new requirements during each 10-year recertification cycle.  NCCPA also announced its intention to modify the PANRE exam to focus on “core knowledge.”

We are grateful to the many PAs who have made and continue to make their voices heard on this issue.  On their behalf, AAPA welcomes NCCPA’s decision to abandon some of the most onerous parts of its recertification proposal. But we continue to oppose high-stakes recertification exams.

AAPA opposes re-testing because there is no evidence that it improves patient outcomes or safety. We urge NCCPA to conduct research on the impact of PA recertification exams on patients.

In the meantime, we will redouble our efforts to remove state laws and regulations that require current NCCPA certification for license renewal.  If we can change these provisions, at least PAs will not be at risk of losing their license if they fail NCCPA’s high stakes recertification exam.  We have already contacted the State Chapters in the 20 states where this requirement exists, and we encourage you to join your State Chapter and help us work on this issue.

We continue to examine the feasibility of starting a new recertifying organization, and we look forward to a robust conversation on this topic with PAs at AAPA’s Leadership and Advocacy Summit (March 4-5) in Washington, D.C.

NCCPA Revises Potential Changes to the PA Recertification Exam

September 19, 2016

NCCPA advised AAPA, PAEA and ARC-PA at our meeting in Atlanta on September 6 that it is considering an alternative to its previous proposal for recertification testing. NCCPA did not ask the organizations present to endorse its proposal, nor did we offer to do so. We – AAPA, PAEA and ARC-PA – agreed to give NCCPA time to make an official announcement to the PA community before reaching out to our respective stakeholders. NCCPA distributed the alternative they are currently considering by email to PAs on September 9. Over the coming weeks, AAPA’s board will evaluate the new NCCPA proposal in light of AAPA policy, the views of our constituent organizations (COs) and those of individual PAs.

Listening to and being responsive to our membership is at the heart of AAPA. We will continue to provide transparency in our decision-making and actively seek the opinions of PAs and COs. Please continue making your voices heard by posting your views of the NCCPA alternative on our Facebook page, Twitter #PARecert or in Huddle. You can also send us your views by emailing AAPA at this address: recertificationcomments@aapa.org. We also encourage you to share your views directly with NCCPA.

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