October 25, 2007

The NCCPA recently announced it was eliminating the practice of issuing the two-year certificate documentation for certification maintenance due to the risk of fraudulent use of paper certificates.  The NCCPA feels primary source verification is the only acceptable form of verification as it allows instant accurate information.  This change is effective immediately.  Reference is the www.nccpa.net.

The NCCPA’s online verification tool, Verify PA-C, allows interested third parties to obtain certification verification in a more secure fashion.  The information can be sent via email or postal mail and can be requested by the third-party of the involved PA and sent directly to the third party.

Beginning in November, PAs will receive a plastic NCCPA wallet card with reference information.  PAs successfully completing the PANCE will be issued a one-time commemorative document in 2008, but this will not be proof of certification.

The bottom line is:

1.  Paper certificates can no longer be used as verification of current NCCPA certification.

2.  Online verification requests can be instituted by interested third parties, or PAs.  The information will be sent via email, or by postal mail to the third-party.  This online verification includes only the fact that the PA is certified and the dates the certification is valid.  It will not include information regarding the number of times a PA has taken the exam or the number of times that PA failed the examination as required in statute for those applying for initial licensure.

3.  In a telephone conversation with Ms. Gravitt at the NCCPA office today I was advised that the NCCPA will continue to honor those written requests forms from Florida PA license applicants, and will manually complete the forms and send to the DOH as has been the practice for a number of years.  They understand that Florida statutes require additional information beyond simple verification of certification status.

4.  Third-parties that may request information on verification of NCCPA certification include not only the DOH, but anyone else who credentials PAs such as insurance companies and hospitals, clinics and other such bodies.

The following facts need to be recognized by all concerned:

• The NCCPA has made these changes and is not subject to Florida law or rules as they are a national certification body and have notified the states about the changes in their procedures and all states will have to adapt to these changes for verification of NCCPA certification verification.
• Florida statutes do not need any changes in regards to the NCCPA verification procedures.
• Florida Administrative Code rules will need to be revised to allow for these changes by the NCCPA to allow for proper verification of  NCCPA current certification for licensure and license renewal.
• The Application Packet for Initial Licensure as a Physician  Assistant will have to have minor revisions to allow for proper verification of NCCPA current certification.

FAPA is working closely with the personnel at the Department of Health in getting these changes made in a timely manner and we will keep you informed as changes are officially made in the future.  The DOH personnel informed us this date that no license applications will be held up as a result of this change.  If you are a license applicant and have problems with this NCCPA verification process, please contact Ron Pace at 407-761-4554, or email him at ronpacepac@aol.com.