Credentialing & Privileging | 07.27.23
NAMSS Receives Reaccreditation of Its CPCS® and CPMSM® Programs From the NCCA
By Amanda Meekins, MHA, CPMSM, CPCS
As the governing body of the NAMSS certification programs, the Certification Commission of NAMSS (CCN) acts in the public interest by establishing and enforcing education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements for medical staff certification. We are proud that there are currently over 4,000 medical staff professionals (MSPs) certified to use the CPCS® and CPMSM® designations.
NAMSS first received National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accreditation in 2008 and, during a recent meeting, the NCCA reviewed the renewal application for the NAMSS CPCS and CPMSM credentials and reaccredited these credentials for a five-year period, expiring May 31, 2028. By maintaining NCCA accreditation, the credibility and legitimacy of the CPCS and CPMSM programs are enhanced, as there is impartial, third-party oversight of a conformity assessment system. This enables NAMSS to demonstrate to the MSPs it represents and to the general public that the CPCS and CPMSM certifications meet stringent standards set by the credentialing community.
NAMSS renewal of the NCCA accreditation of its CPCS and CPMSM programs by submitting an application demonstrated the program’s compliance with the NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. Many MSPs are unfamiliar with the NCCA, which is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.), formerly the National Organization for Competency Assurance. Since 1977, the NCCA has been accrediting certifying programs based on the highest quality standards in professional certification to ensure the programs adhere to modern standards of practice in the certification industry. There are more than 315 NCCA accredited programs that certify individuals in a wide range of professions and occupations including nurses, financial professionals, respiratory therapists, counselors, emergency technicians, crane operators, and more.
Both NAMSS and the CCN rely on I.C.E.'s mission to advance credentialing through education, standards, research, and advocacy to ensure competence across professions and occupations. NCCA was founded as a commission whose mission is to help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the accreditation of a variety of certification programs that assess professional competence. The NCCA uses a peer-review process to establish accreditation standards, evaluate compliance with these standards, recognize organizations/programs which demonstrate compliance, and serve as a resource on quality certification.
Amanda Meekins, MHA, CPMSM, CPCS is the Test Development Chair, CCN
Amanda Meekins, MHA, CPMSM, CPCS