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Please note that certification of Orthopaedic Physician's Assistants (OPA-C) is handled exclusively by the National Board
for Certification of Orthopaedic Physician's Assistants (NBCOPA). The NBCOPA is a separate entity from the Texas Chapter
of Orthopedic Physician's Assistant and the American Society of Orthopaedic Physician's Assistants (ASOPA), which focuses
on continued professional development and education of OPAs. Any questions and inquiries about existing policies, rules, regulations,
verification and deadlines relating to certification or recertification should be addressed to Melody Raymond, the NBCOPA's
administrator, using the contact information listed below. Main Contact InformationNational Board for Certification
of Orthopaedic Physician's Assistants (NBCOPA) c/o Melody Raymond, AAOS Special Society Services 6300 North River Road,
Suite 727 Rosemont, IL 60018 (847) 698-1698 Fax: (847) 823-0536 Email: raymond@aaos.orgBoard Certification
Information about the National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Physician's Assistants (NBCOPA) Exam for Board Certification,
as well eligiblity, exam fees, application deadlines and dates, format and content and contact information for requesting
the exam.Maintaining Certification
An explanation of the requirements and categories for maintaining NBCOPA certification through CME credits.
Credentialing Packet (TCOPA)
Privileges for OPA-C (TCOPA)
Recognition
Information on states that recognize OPA-Cs.
Military Duty
A position statement from the NBCOPA on military duty.
Verification of OPA-C Credentials
Please
contact Melody Raymond at the NBCOPA at (847) 698-1698 or via email at raymond@aaos.org to request verification of an existing OPA-C certificate holder.
Change of Information
To ensure you get your reminders and information from NBCOPA. Please make sure they have your most recent contact
information whenever it changes. Contact them at the above emails. It is your responsibilty to keep up with your certification. President,
TCOPA
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NBCOPA RECERTIFICATION REMINDER
All OPA-Cs are required by the NBCOPA Bylaws to recertify every 4 yrs from date of
original certification. This is accomplished by acquiring 120 CME hours in orthopedics/or related subjects as indicated in
the brochure/category section. Deadline for reporting is October 1 of your recertifying year!
Submissions after that date will be charged a $50.00 late fee in addition to your regular CME dues. CME’s/dues should
be sent to the NBCOPA (see contact information).
Dues are accepted until December 31 of
the recertifying year with late fee. CME’s reported after that date are not accepted and the OPA will be required to
take the certifying test.
ADDRESS CHANGES? PLEASE NOTIFY
US!
Have
you moved recently? We need to keep you in our system for renewal notice. This way we keep you current in our files. The NBCOPA
bylaws state an OPA-C must notify the board of any address change. This way a reminder notice can be sent to you the Spring
of your recertifying year to prevent a lapse of your certification.
INCREASE OF CME PER UNIT DUES
as of JANUARY 1, 2009
Our annual NBCOPA board meeting was held in conjuntion with AAOS this past March. One
subject discussed was the increase of CME unit dues for recertification. Dues have NOT had an increase for over 20 years.
It was voted on by the NBCOPA Board members dues will increase for CMEs as of January 1, 2009.
For ASOPA members, the CME unit fee will increase to $2.00; for non-ASOPA members the CME unit fee will increase to $5.00.
The CME late fee will increase to $100.00 if reported after the October 1 deadline for the recertifying year.
If you have any questions regarding the above information, please feel free to contact me at carichopa@yahoo.com.
OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN CATEGORY 1 CMEs OPPORTUNITIES
TO EARN CATEGORY 1 CMEs ASOPA
members are encouraged to write and submit certification exam questions to be reviewed by NBCOPA and Professional Testing
director at our Item Review Meeting in October.
For each question submitted, the NBCOPA
will give Category 1 credit (one CME per question). Questions must be orthopaedic or related subjects...anatomy/physiology/neuromuscular/history
& physical; surgical; conditions/diagnoses/treatment/pharmacology/radiology. Each question submitted must include verification
with reference source/s, author/s, page numbers, and publication date. Along with each question submitted, 4 answers must
be provided, with the correct answer indicated.
Questions may be submitted throughout the
year to Cassie Richardson at carichopa@yahoo.com. If you have any questions regarding the questions the NBCOPA will accept,
please contact Bob Adams at radams@mayo.edu
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