Information for Continuing Education Providers

Healthcare is a rapidly changing industry, especially with regard to technology and healthcare policy.  Patient advocates must remain well informed on the dynamic changes in health care issues, policies, laws, and practices that affect the healthcare consumers and the clients they serve. The Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB) believes that individuals certified as patient advocates (BCPA) must continue to expand their skills to maintain and enhance the quality of service they provide to clients.

BCPA Certification Renewal

• To maintain certification, BCPAs must renew their certification every three (3) years via continuing education or re-examination.
• The continuing education requirement stipulates that 30 clock hours of continuing education (CE) must be completed within the 3-year period. Of the 30 hours, a minimum of 6 hours must be dedicated toward the Ethics domain.
• Academic institutions, professional organizations or providers of continuing education interested in having a course or activity pre-approved by the Patient Advocate Certification Board may submit materials to do so.  Pre-approved courses will be listed on the PACB website to support re-certification efforts and opportunities.  

Pre-Approvals

Review our Guide for CE Providers and determine if your program falls within one the 6 domains from the PACB Competencies and Best Practices, or within the Ethical Standards for Board Certified Patient Advocates.

Continuing Education programs need to improve the participant’s knowledge of or skill in the practice of professional patient advocacy. Programs must be no less than one clock hour in duration, which is defined as 60 minutes of instruction and does NOT include coffee breaks, meals, introductions, or networking time.

PACB does not issue partial credit to attendees who do not participate in the full duration of a CE activity. The purpose of the program must be clearly defined in terms of expected learning objectives (a minimum of three) and must describe measurable outcomes a BCPA will be able to demonstrate upon completion of the program.

Applying for Pre-Approval

Visit the CE Provider Home to learn more about fees, application categories, required documentation and the expected review timeframe.

Once approved, the CE provider contact will receive an approval notice with a unique approval number to include on certificates distributed to attendees.

For more information, contact Danielle Marshall, Executive Director at execdirector@pacboard.org or by calling 929-430-7222.