At their August meeting, the NCCPA Board of Directors concluded that the potential risk associated with the fraudulent use of paper certificates was significant cause for discontinuing the practice of issuing paper documentation for certification maintenance.

The increasingly common practice of photocopying the NCCPA certificate and using it as primary source verification was one of the key catalysts for this change.

“In our technology savvy world, there is an increasing risk that paper documentation can be altered,” said Janet J. Lathrop, MBA, NCCPA president. “Such a potential risk is unacceptable because it puts the integrity of the PA-C credential and all those who carry it at risk.”

In addition, when NCCPA surveyed certified PAs, 51% indicated they kept their certificate filed unless a third party asked to see it; and others suggested the two-year certificate might be unnecessary, particularly since it is not valid proof of certification.

The survey results, along with NCCPA’s concerns, led the Board to conclude that the two-year certificate should be eliminated.

NCCPA recognizes that such a paradigm shift requires education of credentialing organizations and state licensing boards that may require copies and has already begun efforts to notify these stakeholders of this change and the importance of primary source verification.

“Primary source verification is the only acceptable form of verification because it happens at the instant that the request is made and ensures that the latest, most accurate certification information is provided,” said Lathrop.

NCCPA’s online verification tool, Verify PA-C, allows interested third parties to obtain the same information contained on the certificate in a much more secure fashion. It also offers the capability to have the information sent via e-mail or postal mail and can be requested by the third-party or by the PA and sent directly to the third-party.

This change takes effect immediately, and PAs awaiting updated certificates in November will instead receive the plastic NCCPA wallet card to use for quick reference for their NCCPA Identification Number.

For PAs who successfully complete the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE), NCCPA will issue a one-time document, suitable for framing, which will be commemorative in nature. To mark the change, NCCPA will unveil a new design for this document in 2008. The commemorative document will not be proof of certification.

Currently certified PAs who wish to receive the commemorative document will be able to request one by e-mailing their request along with their name and NCCPA Identification Number to NCCPA at nccpa@nccpa.net. NCCPA will begin issuing the commemorative documents after the new design is unveiled in 2008.

This information is verbatim from the NCCPA website today. The process for initial licensure in Florida will be affected and the NCCPA is in contact with the DOH to advise them of this change so they can change their procedures accordingly.

Go to the NCCPA Website for more information on this issue.

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