CAQ-Derm - CAQ in Dermatology

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredits the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) to offer Certificates of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in specialty categories to qualifying physician assistants (PAs). Only certified PAs currently certified by the NCCPA with a PA-C designation qualify for CAQs. The Certificates of Added Qualifications in Dermatology (CAQ-Derm) certifies PA-Cs with advanced knowledge in dermatology beyond the expectations of entry-level or general practice PA-Cs. Examination and certification becomes available at the beginning of 2023.

Prerequisites

• Current PA-C certification

• Valid, unrestricted PA-C license in at least one U.S. jurisdiction

• All PA-C licenses must be unrestricted if PA-C has multiple licenses

• Attestation from a physician, senior PA-C or post-graduate program director familiar with the PA-C’s practice and experience

Specialty CME Requirement

• Complete at least 75 credits of Category 1 Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits related to dermatology practice within six years of applying for the exam

• Earn at least 25 CMEs within two years before application date

  • CME credits must include a minimum of 5 credits for successful completion of a dermoscopy course

  • CME credits may also be used to maintain PA-C credential

Specialty Experience Requirement

• Complete at least 4,000 hours of PA-C experience in dermatology within six years of attestation of satisfying the experience requirement

• Provide documentation substantiating their work experience if selected for an audit

Specialty Procedure/Patient Case Requirement

• Provide attestation from a physician, senior/lead PA-C or post-graduate program director in dermatology familiar with the candidate’s knowledge and experience

  • Attestations must be submitted within 90 days of candidates receiving their CAQ scores

  • Attestation of knowledge and skills must show that the PA-C has completed or understands patient management skills and when and how to perform procedures

The list of knowledge, procedures and skills for the Dermatology CAQ attestation includes:

• Administering local anesthesia

• Applying an Unna boot

• Interpreting pathology reports

• Performing:

  • Cultures

  • Biopsies 

  • Skin exams

  • Cryosurgery

  • Dermoscopy

  • Electrodessication and curettage

  • I&D

  • Injections

  • Microscopy

  • Patch testing

  • Surgical excisions

  • Wood’s lamp evaluation

• Understanding:

  • Appropriate use of imaging studies

  • Chemical peels

  • Complications of dermatologic procedures

  • Laser procedures

  • Mohs appropriate use criteria

  • Narrow band UV therapy

  • Suture techniques

  • Principles of wound care

Applicants have six years to submit documents, sign the attestation statement and finish all requirements to sit for the CAQ-Derm exam. Candidates must submit their $100 registration fee to begin the CAQ process after they satisfy their prerequisites. They pay the $250 test fee when they apply for the exam.

Completion Time: Candidates have 2 hours to complete the CAQ-Derm exam, 60 minutes for each 60-question block

Cost: $350 total, including a $100 registration fee and $250 exam fee

Exam Format

The CAQ-Derm exam includes 120 multiple-choice questions. The exam blueprintincludes:

• Clinical tasks related to:: 

• History and Physical 25%

• Laboratory studies 12%

• Diagnosis 15%

• Health maintenance 5%

• Surgical interventions 8%

• Nonsurgical interventions 15%

• Pharmacology 15%

• Scientific concepts 5%

• Content areas:

  • Inflammatory Dermatoses 11%

  • Psoriasis and Other Papulosquamous Diseases 10%

  • Precancerous Lesions and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer 9%

  • Acne, Rosacea, and Related Disorders 8%

  • Nevi and Melanoma 8%

  • Hypersensitivity Reactions 5%

  • Benign Tumors and Vascular Lesions 5%

  • Blistering Dermatoses 5%

  • Skin Manifestations of Systemic Disease and Nutritional Deficiency 5%

  • Connective Tissue Disease 5%

  • Hair and Nail Disorders 5%

  • Urticaria 4%

  • Severe and Life-Threatening Eruptions 3%

  • Pigment Disorders 3%

  • Infestations and Bites 2%

  • Mucocutaneous Disorder 2%

  • Psychiatric Dermatoses 2%

  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders 2%

Test Dates

The first administration of the Dermatology CAQ exam will be available beginning in the spring of 2023 at Pearson VUE testing sites nationwide.

• Satisfy all prerequisites

• Submit $100 registration fee to begin CAQ-Derm process 

  • Applicants have six years to submit documents, sign the attestation statement, and finish all requirements to sit for the CAQ-Derm exam

• Submit application to NCCPA with $250 exam fee

• Provide supporting documents

• Schedule exam within 180 days

• Pass CAQ-Derm exam

  • Exam must be taken within 180 days of notification of eligibility or candidate must pay another $250 fee

  • Candidates must continue to meet all the prerequisites

To maintain their CAQ-Derm credential, candidates must: 

• Hold a current, valid, unrestricted and unencumbered PA-C certification

• Submit required information for any state licenses or governmental agency privileges

• Pass the CAQ-Derm exam within three attempts before the current certification expires

  • Renewal candidates who don’t pass after the third attempt must meet initial eligibility requirements and reapply to test as an initial candidate during the next exam administration

• Earn at least 125 credits of Category 1 dermatology-based CME within the current 10-year cycle

Renewal Fee: $350 every 10 years

CAQ-certified PAs must earn at least 125 credits of Category 1 dermatology-based CME over each 10-year certification period. 

• CME credits also satisfy PA-C certification requirements 

• PAs may submit CME credits before or during their exam application

The NCCPA offers a content blueprint for the CAQ-Derm exam.

Related certifications include:

• Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) 

• PA-C Certificate of Added Qualifications in Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery (CAQ-CVTS)

• PA-C Certificate of Added Qualifications in Emergency Medicine (CAQ-EM)

• PA-C Certificate of Added Qualifications in Hospital Medicine (CAQ-HM)

• PA-C Certificate of Added Qualifications in Nephrology (CAQ-Neph)

• PA-C Certificate of Added Qualifications in Orthopaedic Surgery (CAQ-OS)

• PA-C Certificate of Added Qualifications in Pediatrics (CAQ-Peds)

• PA-C Certificate of Added Qualifications in Psychiatry (CAQ-Psy)

• PA-C Certificate of Added Qualifications in Palliative Medicine and Hospice Care (CAQ-PMHC)