What is the NCCPA?

What is the NCCPA?

• A. National Certification Commission for Physician Assistants
• B. National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
• C. National Council for Certification of Physician Assistants
• D. National Board for Physician Assistant Certification

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is identifying the national body that certifies physician assistants. The NCCPA is the national commission that handles PA certification, not licensure or other boards. Its name expansion is National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, which is the organization that administers the certification process (like the PANCE to earn the PA-C credential and the PANRE for recertification) and maintains certification status with ongoing CME requirements. This distinguishes it from other-sounding options that imply a board, council, or a slightly different naming, which do not match the official credentialing body.

The main idea here is identifying the national body that certifies physician assistants. The NCCPA is the national commission that handles PA certification, not licensure or other boards. Its name expansion is National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, which is the organization that administers the certification process (like the PANCE to earn the PA-C credential and the PANRE for recertification) and maintains certification status with ongoing CME requirements. This distinguishes it from other-sounding options that imply a board, council, or a slightly different naming, which do not match the official credentialing body.