CERTIFICATION
The National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Physician's Assistants (NBCOPA)
The National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Physician's Assistants (NBCOPA) endorses the concept of voluntary, periodic certification for physician's assistants working primarily in orthopaedics. The certification process is designed to promote excellence in the practice of orthopaedic physician's assistants by:
1. Recognizing formally those individuals who meet all the requirements of the NBCOPA.
2. Encouraging professional growth of the physician's assistant in orthopaedics.
3. Establishing and measuring the level of knowledge required for a certified orthopaedic physician's assistant.
4. Providing a standard of requisite knowledge required for certification, thereby assisting the employer, the public, and members of the health professions in the assessment of orthopaedic physician's assistants.
Eligibility
Candidates for the exam must hold current US citizenship and must have completed an orthopaedic physician program, a primary care physician assistant program, or a nurse practitioner program OR have at least five (5) years of experience in orthopaedic work with responsibility in surgical assisting, history and physical assessment, and immobilization techniques, under the supervision of a Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon.
Please note that a supervising Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon must verify eligibility and sign the Supervising Physician’s Statement on the candidate's Application.
Exam Fees
Initial Certification Fee for ASOPA Members - $350
Initial Certification Fee for Non-ASOPA Members - $425
Application Deadlines - 2008 and 2009
June 30, 2008 for August 9, 2008
December 31, 2008 for February 7, 2009
June 30, 2009 for August 8, 2009
Test Dates and Locations
August 9, 2008
February 7, 2009
August 8, 2009
California – Los Angeles, San Francisco
Colorado – Denver
Florida – Orlando
Georgia – Atlanta
Illinois – Chicago
Iowa – Iowa City
Kentucky – Lexington
Washington, D.C.
Massachusetts – Boston
Minnesota – Minneapolis
New York – New York City
Tennessee – Nashville
Texas – Dallas, Houston
Washington - Seattle
Exam Format & Content
The Certification Examination for Orthopaedic Physician Assistants is composed of a maximum of 250 multiple-choice, objective test questions with a total testing time of four hours. The questions for the examination are developed by individuals with expertise in orthopedics and are reviewed for construction, accuracy, and appropriateness by representatives of NBCOPA. The NBCOPA, with the advice and assistance of the Professional Testing Corporation, prepares the examination. The Certification Examination for Orthopaedic Physician Assistants will be weighted in approximately the following manner:
Anatomy and Physiology -15%
Musculoskeletal Conditions - 30%
Orthopaedic History and Physical Examination - 10%
Imaging and Laboratory Studies - 10%
Treatment of Musculoskeletal Conditions - 35%
Passage of the NBCOPA examination also signifies an entry level of knowledge in the following categories in the specialty of orthopaedic medicine and surgery:
•Pharmacology
•Assessment and treatment of adult and pediatric orthopaedic diseases and injuries
•Principles and techniques of operative procedures
•Functions and applications of instrumentation and equipment utilized in operative orthopaedic procedures
•Principles and techniques of traction, casting and splint applications
•Clinical evaluation and physical assessment.
**NBCOPA Source List/Study Guide References**
Application and Study Materials
To obtain a study handbook and register to take the exam, please contact:
The Professional Testing Corporation
1350 Broadway, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Telephone: (212) 356-0660
E-mail: ptcny@ptcny.com
Web: http://www.ptcny.com
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM
For more information about NBCOPA certification, please contact Deak Walden, NBCOPA Board Member.
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