Standards Comments and Update
(October 2, 2008, updated 11.6.08, 1.5.09, 4.29.09, 2.8.10)
Standards Committee Update (1.27.10) The Standards committee met in January 2010, reviewing all comments received from those attending the fall 2009 PAEA forum in Portland, Oregon, as well as those received via email from individuals and collaborating organizations. The Standards will be discussed at the March ARC-PA meeting by the entire commission for endorsement at that meeting.
The working copy of the Standards, 4th edition, as distributed at the fall 2009 PAEA meeting, is available here. This copy is being edited based on comments received during the fall 2009 Call for Comments time period.
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) is in the process of comprehensively reviewing its accreditation Standards. This comprehensive review and revision process occurs as an integral part of the ARC-PA’s ongoing business practice and the Standards have historically been reviewed and revised every 5 years.
At the September 2008 ARC-PA meeting, a subcommittee of commissions was charged to begin reviewing the current Standards for needed changes. Comments from the ARC-PA collaborating organizations, accredited PA programs, other professional organizations, and the public were initially sought via surveys posted on the ARC-PA web site. Open forums will be held in conjunction with national PAEA and AAPA meetings and will be announced on the ARC-PA web site and AAPA and PAEA newsletters.
The Standards Committee will meet numerous times and the revision of the Standards will be a continuing business item on the ARC-PA meeting agendas until final approval and implementation. After the draft of the 4th edition of the Standards is completed, it will be distributed for additional comment. The final copy of Standards will be sent to the ARC-PA’s collaborating organizations for their endorsement before they become fully operational.
A PDF copy of proposed Review Process Timeline is available here.
Questions about the Standards Review process should be sent to the Standards Committee at an email box established specifically for that purpose at standards@arc-ap.org. This mail box may still be used to to submit comments about the Standards and must be referenced the specific standard(s).
Those wishing to submit comments about the Standards may do so at standards@arc-ap.org.