After being formally structured and organized in 1974, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) was incorporated and opened offices in Atlanta, Georgia in 1975. NCCPA is the only credentialing organization for physician assistants in the United States, and is dedicated to assuring the public that certified physician assistants meet established standards of knowledge and clinical skills upon entry into practice and throughout their careers. Its Board of Directors includes appointees from 14 participating organizations, as well as three members-at-large. After passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), physician assistants are issued an NCCPA certificate, entitling them to the use of the Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) designation until the expiration date printed on the certificate (approximately two years). To remain certified, PAs must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and complete the Physician Assistant National Recertification Exam (PANRE) every ten years.
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- About The Society
Who Are We
Dedicated to the history and legacy of the physician assistant profession
Collection Description
Chronicles the development of various professional organizations
Founding Members
Individuals who joined us during our first year
Mission, Vision & Values
Learn about our mission, vision & values
PA Veterans Garden
Visit the McElligott PA Veterans Garden
PAHx History & Projects
Explore our history and projects
- Information & Links
Initial State Recognition of Physician Assistants
Find out when your state started recognizing the PA profession
Our Associates
View the Associates of the PA History Society
Past Presidents of the National Organizations
View our past presidents
National Conference
View the locations & dates for the National Conference
PA Glossary
Abbreviations, acronyms & titles associated with the physician assistant profession
Preserving History
Find several resources for preserving, documenting & archiving historical documents and materials
Trivia
Test your PA history knowledge
Newsletter
Read the most recent issue
Helpful Links
Find links and additional resources
Search Options
View our different search options
- Illustrated History
Archival Research
Use finding aids for our collections
Biographies
Read our numerous biographies
Collection & Exhibits
Our collection features artwork, artifacts and exhibitions
Oral Histories
Listen or watch oral history interviews from PAs or those close to the profession's history
Research Library & References
Library collections, books and serials
Videos
Our moving image collection includes film and video
Photos
Slides, photographs, negatives & others
Historical Perspectives
Essays, personal narratives and long articles on aspects of PA history
PA Timeline
View important milestones and events
International PA Timeline
View international milestones and events
Historical Highlights
Orgs that are saving and preserving their history
Celebrating 50
PA programs that have celebrated their 50th anniversaries
- Support The Society
How To Support Us
Help our staff work with organizations, institutions, researchers and archivists
Friends of the Society
View our friends and find out how to become one
Our Associates
Become an active partner
First Class Photos
First class photos of our Associates
PA History Books
Find out how to order your copy
PA History Products
Lapel pins, posters, and art prints
- Contact