Overview of Visit to NCCPA
As an NCCPA PA Ambassador I had the opportunity to visit the NCCPA headquarters last week. During the visit we were able to hear about everything that is going on at NCCPA, and it was an opportunity to meet the other ambassadors.
During the visit we were given an overview of NCCPA; and although it seems like the only thing they do is give PAs trouble when it is time to re-certify they do a lot more than that.
It was a reminder that there are different organizations for PAs and they all have different functions. It is not the job of the NCCPA to advocate for PAs; that would be the job of the AAPA. Nor do they regulate the education of PAs, which would be the role of the PAEA.
Part of the NCCPAs role is to represent the public and ensure that PA students have a baseline competency through a certification exam (PANCE); and veteran PAs maintain a level of competency through continuing education and a re-certification exam (PANRE).
NCCPA PANRE Pilot Program
We also heard about the PANRE pilot program, which is a pilot for a possible alternative to the traditional PANRE test. I had recently re-certified when the pilot program was coming out, so I didn’t pay much attention to it. Unlike the traditional PANRE the pilot program does not require advanced preparation or scheduling a trip to a testing center.
The pilot started in January 2019 and will go through December 2020. Testing is done in the comfort of your home or office. The testers are given 25 questions that need to be answered every quarter for two years.
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Other Related NCCPA Organizations
After our introduction to NCCPA we were given a tour of the offices to see what goes on behind the scenes. There were presentations from other PA organizations as well.
The nccPA Health Foundation gave us an overview of what they do, and discussed opportunities for PAs to obtain grants to help improve health in their communities.
We also heard from the PAHx Society and what they are doing do help preserve the history of the PA profession. At the NCCPA headquarters there is a room that displays many things from the history of PAs, which the PAHx Society keeps updated.
Although they didn’t give us all the answers to the PANRE, it was a great opportunity to learn about the NCCPA and the other affiliated organizations. If you’d be interested in being an NCCPA ambassador they typically have applications in the summer, so be sure to read the monthly newsletter and watch for when they are accepting applications.
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