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Confusion on probation and any limitations on practicing if your program looses accreditation


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A few weeks ago I found out the PA school I have been accepted to (Salus University) had been put on probation for various reasons. I am confident Salus will fix all issues and come out on top a better program than before, however, I can't seem to get an answer on if I will be limited at all if they were to lose accreditation before I graduate. For example, I'm told by the school and the ARC-PA that I will still be able to graduate, sit for the PANCE, and obtain a license nationally, but the ARC-PA states that Maryland and several other states (she could not recall on the phone) say that your program must be accredited when you matriculate and also when you graduate and that if my program lost accreditation before I graduated then I would technically not meet some of the state's requirements. Does anybody know any information about this or which states I might be limited to practicing in? The program had said that if it does loose accreditation they would opt to teach out all remaining classes. Thanks for any information!

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It's getting more confusing because I was told by the ARC-PA this morning that if my program looses accredidation then I technically didn't graduate from an accredited program despite being able to sit for the PANCE, but the AAPA says in their teach out clause that you will graduate from an accredited program, but following that last class no other classes will be able to matriculate until the program is reaccredided. I'm really concerned because the list of states on the AAPA's website clearly states that although states may differ from state to state with PA licensure, all states and DC require that applicants meet the following criteria. 1. graduation from an accredited program; and 2. Passage of the PANCE. With the AAPA saying one thing and the ARC-PA saying another I'm quite torn on whether to attend or not. Thanks for any info.

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NCCPA who administers and owns the PANCE (correct me if I'm wrong) stated to me this morning that as long as I start in a program that was accredited when I started, I am able to graduate and sit for the PANCE. I even mentioned that the ARC-PA told me I wouldn't have technically graduated from an accredited program, and the gentleman from the NCCPA stated that in their eyes I would have graduated from an accredited program and that if I hadn't I wouldn't even be able to sit for the PANCE as that is their only requirement. He did state that they have no control on the requirements for state licensure, but if I had passed the PANCE I shouldn't have any issues although the only sure way to tell is to call that states Department of Health as previously mentioned. Thanks for all the info and hopefully this can help clearify for others...

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NCCPA who administers and owns the PANCE (correct me if I'm wrong) stated to me this morning that as long as I start in a program that was accredited when I started, I am able to graduate and sit for the PANCE. I even mentioned that the ARC-PA told me I wouldn't have technically graduated from an accredited program, and the gentleman from the NCCPA stated that in their eyes I would have graduated from an accredited program and that if I hadn't I wouldn't even be able to sit for the PANCE as that is their only requirement. He did state that they have no control on the requirements for state licensure, but if I had passed the PANCE I shouldn't have any issues although the only sure way to tell is to call that states Department of Health as previously mentioned. Thanks for all the info and hopefully this can help clearify for others...

I, as well, have been accepted to Salus and am facing the same problem. I have a seat in a program elsewhere, but was really leaning towards Salus so this could not have come at a worse time. Did you happen to write down the list of states that may need clarification? Thanks.

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I've only heard Maryland so far, and not even positive they won't let you. That seems to be the million dollar question (which states). The gentleman I spoke with from the NCCPA said he's never heard of anyone having an issue if you've passed the PANCE and graduated from an accredited program which apparently to the NCCPA we would have since they're still accredited when we matriculate next August. He stated just as everyone else has, to call whichever state(s) and make sure that you will fulfill their requirements. It sounded like if you're able to sit for the PANCE then in most states you would be able to practice without any issues reguardless if your program lost accreditation after you matriculated. Again I repeat MOST states because I've yet to hear of any states other than Maryland.

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I plan on practicing in Virginia after school. I just called the DOH in VA to get an idea of all requirements to obtain a license. I may end up calling other states as well. Will keep you posted!

Thanks, appreciate it! In all honesty, I don't even think this will end up being a problem. From what I've been told, most programs that are put on probation will do whatever necessary to maintain their accreditation.

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I just got off the phone with the lady at the Board of Medicine for Virginia and she stated that as log as I passed the PANCE and have had 35 hours of pharmacology I would be good to go in Virginia. I will be attending Salus and after talking to the NCCPA and the Board of Medicine in Virginia I feel at ease that I will have no problem practicing in VA. Hope everything works out and maybe I'll see you in class!

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  • 2 months later...

Does anyone know if these rules change if the program to which you were accepted is on probation at the time of acceptance? My friend has an interview at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and they were just placed on probation. Their accreditation will be revisited in September. I'm wondering if the school remains on probation or is suspended, will she be able to sit for the PANCE?

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  • 2 weeks later...

Does anyone know if these rules change if the program to which you were accepted is on probation at the time of acceptance? My friend has an interview at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and they were just placed on probation. Their accreditation will be revisited in September. I'm wondering if the school remains on probation or is suspended, will she be able to sit for the PANCE?

ARC-PA still considers programs accredited if they are labled as on "probation," it's merely a temporary (yet serious) status of accredidation.  The ARC-PA technical term is "Accreditation-Probation" or "Accreditation-Administrative Probation." Programs on probation are still listed on the ARC-PA accredited list: http://www.arc-pa.com/acc_programs/.

 

According to NCCPA, the eligibility requirements for the PANCE are as follows:

 

"To be eligible for PANCE, you must graduate from a program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) as a Physician Assistant Program. PA program graduates will be deemed to have graduated from an accredited program if their PA educational program was accredited at the time of their matriculation."

 

In your friend's case, if she starts the program and it's still on probation she would be eligible to sit for the NCCPA's PANCE after she completes that program.  Even if while in the program they lose all accrediation.  If that were to happen it would then be the responsibility of the school to either "teach out" or assist students in transferring to another ARC-PA accredited school. 

 

The NCCPA representative I've been emailing told me:

"In the past, NCCPA allowed graduates to sit for PANCE as long as the program from which they graduated was accredited at any point during the students' enrollment. This policy changed in 2003, and in order to be eligible to take the PANCE, students must successfully complete a program that was accredited at the time the student matriculated"

 

In short, so long as at marticulation a program has the status of Accreditation-Provisional, Accreditation-Continued, Accreditation-Probation, or Accreditation-Administrative Probation you will be eligible to sit for the PANCE once you graduate.

 

If you have more questions about accredidation-probation status the FAQs Salus University supplied on their website are really helpful: http://www.salus.edu/physicianAssistant/FAQs%20for%20Physician%20Assistant%20Program%20Final%20Final.pdf

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