Top 11 Physician Assistant Certifications

Certifications are important for physician assistants in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise that employers value. They also show potential employers that the physician assistant is dedicated to continuing their education and staying up-to-date on the latest advancements in medicine. Having certifications can give a physician assistant an edge over other applicants, as employers may be more likely to hire someone who has taken the time to gain additional qualifications. Additionally, certifications can help physician assistants earn higher salaries and advance more quickly in their careers.

The purpose of this article is to review and explain the benefits of some of the top certifications for Physician Assistants, and how they can contribute to a successful career.

What are Physician Assistant Certifications?

Physician assistant certification is a credential that is awarded to qualified medical professionals who have completed an accredited physician assistant program and passed the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). This certification demonstrates that the individual has the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to practice medicine as a physician assistant.

Physician assistants are able to provide patient care services under the supervision of a doctor or other licensed healthcare provider. They can perform physical exams, take medical histories, diagnose illnesses, order and interpret lab tests, prescribe medications, assist in surgery, and provide education and counseling to patients.

Having physician assistant certification can help individuals stand out in their field by demonstrating their commitment to their profession. It also shows employers that they have met the required standards for practicing as a physician assistant. Additionally, having certification may make it easier for individuals to find employment opportunities in certain states where licensure is required. Finally, having this certification may qualify individuals for higher salaries than those without certification.

Pro Tip: Make sure you understand the requirements for physician assistant certification in your state. Some states require a certain number of hours of clinical experience and/or a specific exam score before you can be certified. Knowing these requirements ahead of time will help ensure that you are adequately prepared to become certified.

Related: What does a Physician Assistant do?

Top 11 Physician Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Physician Assistants today.

1. National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is an independent, non-profit organization that certifies physician assistants (PAs) in the United States. The NCCPA is responsible for setting and maintaining standards for PA education, certification, and recertification. It also provides information about the profession to the public.

In order to become certified by the NCCPA, PAs must first complete a program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Upon completion of an accredited program, PAs must then pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Once they have passed this exam, they will be eligible for certification from the NCCPA.

The process of getting certified by the NCCPA typically takes about six months to complete. First, applicants must submit their application materials and fees to the NCCPA. After that, they must take and pass the PANCE exam. Once they have passed this exam, their applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts who will decide whether or not to grant them certification.

The cost of getting certified by the NCCPA varies depending on several factors such as when you apply and which type of certification you are seeking. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$600 dollars to apply for certification with additional fees for any additional exams or services required during the process.

2. American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the quality of health care provided by physician assistants (PAs). The AAPA was founded in 1968 and is the only national organization representing all PAs. It provides education, networking, and advocacy for PAs, as well as resources to help them practice safely and effectively.

To become a member of the AAPA, you must be a certified PA in good standing with your state licensing board. You can join online or by mail. There are several membership levels available, including student memberships for those enrolled in an accredited PA program. Membership fees range from $85-$295 per year depending on the level chosen.

Once you are a member, you will have access to educational resources such as webinars, conferences, and publications; career development opportunities; and discounts on products and services. You will also be able to network with other PAs around the country through online forums and regional meetings.

In addition to membership benefits, the AAPA also offers certification exams that demonstrate competency in various specialty areas of medicine. These exams are offered twice a year and typically take about 4-5 hours to complete. The cost of taking these exams ranges from $400-$600 depending on which exam(s) you take.

3. National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) is a non-profit organization that provides certification for occupational therapists. It was established in 1982 and is the only nationally recognized certification program for occupational therapy practitioners. NBCOT offers the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and the Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR) certifications.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements, pass an exam administered by NBCOT, and maintain their certification through continuing education activities. The COTA exam takes approximately 4 hours to complete while the OTR exam takes 6 hours to complete.

To get certified, applicants must first submit an application to NBCOT with proof of their educational qualifications and any necessary documentation. Once approved, applicants can register for the exam online or by mail. The cost of the COTA exam is $530 while the cost of the OTR exam is $575.

Once applicants have passed their exams, they will receive a certificate from NBCOT confirming their status as a certified occupational therapist or assistant. This certificate must be renewed every three years in order to remain valid. Renewal requires completion of continuing education activities as well as payment of a renewal fee ($75 for COTA and $110 for OTR).

4. American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is a professional organization for emergency physicians in the United States. It was founded in 1968 and has over 40,000 members. ACEP is dedicated to improving emergency care through continuing education, research, and public education.

It takes approximately one year to become an ACEP member. To become an ACEP member, you must be a licensed physician with at least two years of experience in emergency medicine or related fields. You must also meet the eligibility requirements set by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM). Once you have met these requirements, you can apply for membership online or by mail.

The cost of joining ACEP varies depending on your membership type. The annual dues for regular members are $395, while the annual dues for associate members are $295. In addition to these fees, there may be additional costs associated with attending conferences and events hosted by the organization.

ACEP offers many benefits to its members including access to educational resources and networking opportunities with other emergency physicians from around the world. Membership also provides discounts on products and services related to emergency medicine as well as access to exclusive job postings in the field.

5. American Osteopathic Association (AOA)

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is a professional organization for osteopathic physicians and students. The AOA was founded in 1897 and is the oldest national medical association in the United States. It is dedicated to promoting excellence in osteopathic medical education, research, and patient care.

It takes approximately four years of post-graduate training to become an AOA member. To become an AOA member, you must first complete a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from an accredited college or university. After completing your DO degree, you must then complete at least one year of post-graduate training in an approved residency program. Once you have completed your post-graduate training, you can apply for membership with the AOA by submitting an application along with supporting documents such as transcripts and letters of recommendation.

The cost to join the AOA varies depending on the type of membership chosen. For example, annual dues for a full member are $450 per year while student members pay $50 per year. Additional fees may be required for certain services such as continuing education courses or certifications.

6. American Medical Association (AMA)

The American Medical Association (AMA) is a professional organization for physicians in the United States. It was founded in 1847 and is the largest association of physicians in the world. The AMA works to promote the art and science of medicine, improve public health, and protect the interests of patients and physicians.

It takes about four to six weeks to become an AMA member after submitting your application. To apply, you must have a valid medical license from any state or territory in the United States. You will also need to provide proof of graduation from an accredited medical school, as well as verification of board certification if applicable.

The cost for membership varies depending on your specialty and type of membership you choose. For example, a full membership costs $420 per year while student memberships are free. There are also discounts available for residents, fellows, retired physicians, and other special groups.

In addition to providing resources for its members, the AMA advocates for policy changes that improve access to healthcare services and protect patient rights. It also works closely with other organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), World Health Organization (WHO), and many others to advance public health initiatives around the world.

7. National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is a professional organization that provides certification and credentialing services to healthcare professionals. It is dedicated to the advancement of healthcare education, certification, and career development.

NHA offers a variety of certifications for different healthcare roles, such as medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, phlebotomists, EKG technicians, and patient care technicians. Each certification requires applicants to pass an exam that tests their knowledge and skills in the specific field. The exams are administered by NHA-approved testing centers throughout the United States.

The amount of time it takes to get certified varies depending on the individual's experience level and the type of certification they are pursuing. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from one month to six months or more to complete the process.

In order to get certified by NHA, individuals must first meet eligibility requirements for their chosen credential. This includes having a minimum amount of work experience in the field or completing an approved training program. After meeting these requirements, applicants must then register for the exam and pay any applicable fees.

The cost of taking an NHA exam varies depending on which certification you are pursuing; however, most exams range from $90-$200 USD per attempt.

8. American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants (AASPA)

The American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants (AASPA) is a professional organization that promotes the development and advancement of surgical physician assistants. The AASPA was established in 1988 to provide support and resources to surgical PAs working in the United States.

It typically takes two years after graduating from an accredited PA program to become certified as a surgical PA. To obtain certification, applicants must pass the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) exam, complete at least 200 hours of clinical rotations in surgery, and have a minimum of two years' experience as a practicing PA.

In order to become a member of the AASPA, applicants must be certified by the NCCPA and have completed at least one year of practice in surgery or related fields. Membership fees vary depending on the type of membership chosen; however, all members receive access to educational materials, discounts on continuing education courses, networking opportunities with other surgical PAs, and more.

The cost for membership varies depending on the type of membership chosen; however, annual dues typically range from $50-$100 per year.

9. Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

A Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) is a professional who has been certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) to provide basic medical services in a medical office or clinic. CMAs are responsible for performing administrative and clinical tasks, such as taking patient histories, measuring vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, administering medications, and assisting physicians with minor surgical procedures.

It typically takes about 12 months to become a Certified Medical Assistant. To become certified, you must complete an accredited CMA program and pass the CMA certification exam administered by the AAMA. The cost of becoming a CMA varies depending on the program you choose and any additional costs associated with it. Generally speaking, tuition for an accredited program can range from $1,000 to $3,500 or more. Additionally, there is an exam fee of $125 to take the CMA certification exam through the AAMA.

10. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)

A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is a specialized medical assistant who has been trained and certified to perform clinical duties in a physician's office or other healthcare facility. These duties include taking vital signs, administering injections, drawing blood, performing EKGs, preparing patients for exams, and assisting physicians with patient care.

The certification process typically takes between three to six months depending on the program. To become certified as a CCMA, you must complete an accredited medical assisting program that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. Once you have completed the program, you must pass the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam to receive your certification.

The cost of becoming a CCMA varies depending on the program you choose. Most programs cost between $1,500 and $3,000. Additionally, there is a fee to take the NHA exam which is usually around $125.

11. Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) is an advanced, evidence-based clinical course that teaches healthcare professionals the critical thinking skills necessary to assess, intervene and stabilize patients with a variety of cardiac and respiratory emergencies. The ACLS course focuses on the importance of high-performance team dynamics and communication, systems of care and immediate post-cardiac arrest care.

The ACLS course typically takes two days to complete. The first day consists of didactic instruction followed by a written exam. The second day is devoted to simulated scenarios where participants practice their newly acquired skills in a hands-on environment.

To get ACLS certified, you must have current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS). You should also be familiar with the American Heart Association's Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. In addition, you will need to register for an ACLS course at an accredited provider such as the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.

The cost of ACLS certification varies depending on the provider and location; however, it typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

Do You Really Need a Physician Assistant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual situation. If you are considering a career as a physician assistant, then obtaining a certificate could be beneficial in order to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the field. It can also provide you with an advantage when applying for jobs or promotions.

However, if you are already employed as a physician assistant, then it may not be necessary to obtain a certificate. Instead, you may want to focus on building your skills and knowledge through continuing education courses or other professional development activities. Ultimately, the decision about whether or not to pursue certification should be based on what best meets your career goals and needs.

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FAQs About Physician Assistant Certifications

1. What is a Physician Assistant Certification?

Answer: A Physician Assistant Certification is a credential that demonstrates the competency of a Physician Assistant to practice medicine in a specific area or specialty. This certification is granted by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

2. How long does it take to become certified as a Physician Assistant?

Answer: It typically takes two years to complete the educational and clinical requirements for certification as a Physician Assistant. This includes completing an accredited PA program, passing the PANCE exam, and meeting any state licensure requirements.

3. What are the eligibility requirements for becoming certified as a Physician Assistant?

Answer: To be eligible for certification as a Physician Assistant, you must have completed an accredited PA program and passed the PANCE exam. You must also meet any state licensure requirements in order to practice in your state.

4. What type of continuing education do I need to maintain my Physician Assistant Certification?

Answer: All Certified Physician Assistants are required to complete at least 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years in order to maintain their certification status with NCCPA.

5. How often do I need to re-certify my credentials as a Physician Assistant?

Answer: All Certified Physician Assistants must re-certify their credentials every 10 years by taking and passing the PANCE exam again, meeting any additional state licensure requirements, and completing at least 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years.