The following is a press release being issued to the media. We’re pleased to let the world know about our newly certified advocates!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Patient Advocate Certification Board Certifies First Cohort of
Board Certified Patient Advocates
Inaugural National Certification Exam for Patient Advocates Successfully Completed
GLEN ELLYN, IL, May 2 – The Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB) has certified 149 Patient Advocates following the inaugural national certification exam for professionals working in the field of patient advocacy. The certification exam was administered at testing sites across the United States. The first group of Board Certified Patient Advocates received notification of successfully passing the certification in late April.
The non-profit PACB was organized in 2012 to establish ethical standards, professional competencies and best practices for professionals who work in the emerging field of patient advocacy. Public comments were solicited, reviewed by the Board and used to define the domains of practice for patient advocates. These domains can be found on the PACB website www.pacboard.org.
“Patient advocacy is becoming increasingly distinct as an independent professional domain,” said Connie Sunderhaus, PACB president. “Historically populated by skilled practitioners from a variety of professional backgrounds, patient advocates can now demonstrate their knowledge and professionalism by achieving a credential unique to this practice.”
The PACB contracted with Professional Testing Corporation (PTC), an organization that develops, administers, and maintains certification exams, to guide the exam development from conception through administration. PTC indicates exam participation exceeded expectations for an inaugural exam, which indicates strong interest in the patient advocate role.
“We are pleased with the outcome of this first exam,” said Sunderhaus. “Continued collaboration with PTC for the psychometric analysis of these early exams will be critical to ensure fairness and accuracy of the examination.”
Patient Advocates who earn the BCPA credential must be recertified every three years. Certified advocates will be listed on the PACB website upon consent. The exam will be available two times a year. The next testing period is scheduled for September 2018, and registration for that exam session is already open and available on the PACB website www.pacboard.org. The site also hosts news and developments about the organization and information related to exam registration and credential maintenance.
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Patient Advocate Certification Board, Inc., is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on development and maintenance of certification for the profession of patient advocacy.
Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) was founded in 1983 to provide professional organizations of all sizes with quality psychometric services. Over the years PTC has expanded its range of services to include national certification and licensure testing program development, national and international test administration, psychometric consulting, statistical analysis and reporting, and board management. For more information about PTC’s services, please visit www.ptcny.com or contact Vicki Gremelsbacker, President, at vgremelsbacker-at-ptcny.com.