Physician Assistant Program Professional Resources

 

ARC-PA -

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) is the recognized accrediting agency that protects the interests of the public, including current and prospective PA students, and the PA profession by defining the standards for PA education and evaluating PA educational programs within the territorial United States to ensure their compliance with those standards.

PAEA (Physician Assistant Education Association) -

PAEA is the only national organization representing physician assistant educational programs in the United States. Currently, all of the accredited programs in the country are members of the Association. PAEA provides services for faculty at its member programs, as well as to applicants, students, and other stakeholders.  The Association was founded in 1972 as the Association of Physician Assistant Programs. Member programs voted to adopt the current name in 2005.

CASPA –

CASPA (Centralized Application Services for Physician Assistants) is a service of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), the only organization representing PA educational programs nationwide, and has been offered to applicants since 2001.  The online application is designed to simplify the PA school application process by allowing students to apply to several programs with only one application.

NCCPA –

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants is the only certifying organization for physician assistants in the United States. Established as a not-for-profit organization in 1974, NCCPA is dedicated to assuring the public that certified PAs meet established standards of clinical knowledge and cognitive skills upon entry into practice and throughout their careers. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories have decided to rely on NCCPA certification as one of the criteria for licensure or regulation of PAs. As of Dec. 31, 2016, there were approximately 115,500 certified PAs.

AAPA –

Founded in 1968, the American Academy of PAs is the national professional society for PAs. It represents a profession of more than 115,500 PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and the uniformed services.

AAPA advocates and educates on behalf of the profession and the patients PAs serve. We work to ensure the professional growth, personal excellence and recognition of PAs. We also enhance their ability to improve the quality, accessibility and cost-effectiveness of patient-centered healthcare.

GAPA –

Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) empowers and affords Physician Assistants a voice in legislation, protects the right to practice, provides meaningful connections and the edge to succeed through quality education.

Since 1975, GAPA has represented the PA profession among state and national legislators, helped PAs find jobs in Georgia, promoted public awareness and understanding of PAs among prospect employers and the general public, kept PAs up to date on reimbursement and legislative news, given PAs chances to earn CME credits, and more.

Now, the GAPA offers the general public a place to learn more about hot health topics and serves as a gateway to more resources on health. Furthermore, the association offers physicians, hospitals, and clinics a way to advertise PA job openings, and a place to learn the benefits of hiring a PA. And of course, all PAs in Georgia benefit from GAPA’s reimbursement and legislative news, CME credit-earning opportunities, regional meetings, and legislative representation.