In our desire to continuously improve the NCCAOM recertification process, our staff has been working behind the scenes for the past two years on streamlining and automating this process to ensure a more efficient and satisfactory experience for all of our valued NCCAOM board-certified acupuncturists. Since 2018, the NCCAOM has been developing a new Online Management System for diplomates and PDA providers to improve the NCCAOM experience.
The first phase began in November 2018 when the online NCCAOM Recertification Transcript was opened to active diplomates, enabling them to track their PDAs / CEUs as they move through their four-year recertification cycle. No longer do diplomates have to make paper copies of all their course certificates and mail them to the NCCAOM. This new system has made the NCCAOM certification renewal process more streamlined, easier and a time saver for all participants.
During this first phase in November 2018, a PDA provider portal was opened, and all providers were brought online to the new NCCAOM PDA Online Management System for course applications and monitoring renewals.
In September 2019, the new NCCAOM® PDA Certificate of Completion was introduced. Working closely with PDA providers, the NCCAOM transitioned to an online PDA certificate distribution system directly from the PDA provider portal.
On May 1, 2020, the NCCAOM Online Management System moved into the third and final phase: CE banking. The goal of phase three is to automatically report PDA / CEU points emailed by the PDA provider directly to the diplomate's NCCAOM recertification transcript. This means PDA certificates are no longer reported manually by the diplomate. The switch to CE banking is being conducted on a case-by-case basis throughout 2020-2021, with each PDA provider guided through the process by the NCCAOM Information Technology Systems Department and the PDA staff.
To continually improve CE banking and so we can receive the PDA points successfully, it is crucial that diplomates correctly register for the PDA-approved course by entering their name and NCCAOM ID number exactly as they appear in their online certification account.
Although the NCCAOM PDA Certificate of Completion continues to be distributed by PDA providers, some confusion has occurred with diplomates receiving their certificate via email. Listening to our stakeholder's concerns and suggestions, the NCCAOM has created a new diplomate benefit called "My Learning." This new benefit houses all of the PDA certificates earned by NCCAOM diplomate since CE banking began. Located in the certification account, diplomates can click the orange "Diplomate Benefits" button at the top of the profile, and on the next page they will see the "My Learning" section.
The new feature provides an easy search function, enabling the diplomate access to any of their PDA certificates – with the ability to download or print a copy. In addition, this new benefit will provide the diplomate with immediate access to all issued PDA certificates, resolve email problems, and increase customer satisfaction. This new process will reduce the need for our valued diplomates to upload PDA certificates received from our approved NCCAOM PDA providers.
We are pleased to announce that the overall integration of the PDA and recertification systems is a big success, and has been well received by our diplomates. This new process has saved valuable time for diplomates, providers and PDA staff ; and increased customer satisfaction. If you have recently recertified with the new CE banking process, we would love to hear from you on your experience. Please contact us at info@thenccaom.org.
Attention Diplomates! To find NCCAOM PDA-approved courses that will automatically load to your NCCAOM recertification transcript, visit the NCCAOM PDA Search Engine here: https://pdasearch.nccaom.org.
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