Description

The Physician Assistant-Certified® (PA-C®) credential, issued by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), is a mark of professional accomplishment, indicating the achievement and maintenance of established levels of knowledge and clinical skills. The PA-C credential is widely recognized within the medical professions and beyond. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and the American territories have decided to rely on the NCCPA certification as one of the criteria for initial licensure or regulation of physician assistants. In order to become certified, physician assistants must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). After earning initial certification, physician assistants are required to pass the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination (PANRE) every ten years as part of their maintenance of certification requirements. For more information on the certification and recertification processes and exams, please see the related links section.