Latest News and Updates

POV: Advancing Phlebotomy Requirements: A Case for Public Safety and Industry Standards

At the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), we are committed to promoting excellence in allied health professionals' education and practice. As part of our ongoing efforts to improve healthcare standards, we have responded to the pressing need for advancement in industry-wide standards and regulations in the field of phlebotomy. In this point of view, we explain why our recent update to raising the Phlebotomy requirement from 30 to 50 venipunctures and from 5 to 10 capillary sticks is not just a necessity but an obligation to ensure the well-being of patients and the competence of phlebotomists.

View the POV

CAPPS 2020 ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR

NCCT has been a CAPPS Allied Member for many years. They have been a brilliant contributor to the CAPPS conferences, providing suggestions on how to improve quality of content, improve experience for Allied Members, and volunteer to assist with logistics. NCCT's commitment to CAPPS, our members, students, and the entire sector has and continues to be consistent and strong. NCCT stands as an example of an excellent Allied Member Partner. CAPPS is grateful for their support and dedication to our sector. We are proud to announce Dana Van Laeys and NCCT as our 2020 Allied Member of the Year!


National Center for Competency Testing Receives Accreditation of its Tech in Surgery TS-C (NCCT) Certification program from the National Center for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) has reawarded NCCT accreditation for its healthcare certification programs. The Tech in Surgery TS-C (NCCT) certification program earned reaccreditation for a five-year period, expiring in 2025.

NCCT earned NCCA accreditation for all seven of its health care certification programs by demonstrating the program’s compliance with the NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs.

NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (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.

NCCT’S NCCA Accredited Certification Programs
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA)
National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT)
National Certified ECG Technician (NCET)
Tech in Surgery TS-C (NCCT)
National Certified Insurance & Coding Specialist (NCICS)
National Certified Patient Care Technician (NCPCT)

Founded in 1989, NCCT is a professional certification organization acting in the public interest by establishing and enforcing education, examination, experience and ethics requirements for certification. Currently, NCCT has tested over 558,000 individuals throughout the United States.


Industry Partnership - Raising Patient Care Consistency and Quality

NCCT has partnered with AORN as a source of quality continuing education courses for surgical technologists. In accordance with its Outside CE Course Submission and Acceptance Policy for recertification, contact hours provided by AORN can be completed and submitted to NCCT for outside CE approval for recertification credit.

AORN’s mission is to promote safety and optimal outcomes for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures by providing practice support and professional development opportunities to perioperative nurses. AORN will collaborate with professional and regulatory organizations, industry leaders, and other health care partners who support the mission.


NEW! Interactive Review System for Insurance & Coding!

NCCT now has an interactive review available for medical assistants, phlebotomy technicians, insurance & coding specialists and surgical technologists. Features of these new reviews include:

  • Practice Exam - designed to simulate an actual certification exam
  • Multiple Choice Questions
  • Flash Cards
  • Case Studies
  • Preliminary Sample Quiz

A premier value in this system is the Practice Exam, designed to simulate an actual certification examination experience, to help ease test anxiety and provide an individualized analysis of performance in each content area.

Visit www.ncctinc.com/review to learn more about the features in this system, view a demo, or make a purchase.


Outside CE is now submitted online!

Outside CE has become an increasingly popular option for our certicate holders for maintenance of their NCCT credentials. To contain costs and improve eciency, outside CE must be submitted using the Online Submission Form for Outside CE*.

Benefits of the new online process:

  • Faster approval turnaround times
  • Electronic record of your outside CE courses
  • Easier management of your recertication

Please visit your ‘Recertication/CE Dashboard’ for instructions and be sure to read the latest Outside CE Policy available on the ‘Submit Outside CE page.’

*supporting documents of completion are required in addition to the completion of the Online Submission Form


New Continuing Education Courses:

Published on 7/31/2019

A new CE course is available for those who perform coding in their healthcare roles. The course is available online and in print.

Course #1221619 - ICD-10-PCS Medical and Surgical Section Coding Guidelines

This CE course focuses on the Medical and Surgical Section of the ICD-10-PCS Official Guidelines and is a compilation of the current FY 2019 and FY2020 ICD-10-PCS Guidelines, with some new and revised examples plus a new section of guidelines for Radiation Therapy. The FY2020 ICD-10-PCS System will be effective 10/01/2019.


Published on 7/8/2019

A new CE course is available for those who perform coding in their healthcare roles. The course specifically addresses ICD-10-PCS, which is used in the inpatient setting. The course is available online and in print.

Course #1221519 - Fundamental ICD-10-PCS Inpatient Procedure Coding

The course specifically addresses ICD-10-PCS, which is used in the inpatient setting.


Published on 5/22/2019

New NCCT CE course available online and in print!

Course #1221419 - Measles and the MMR Vaccine

This course discusses the high number of measles cases that have been occurring in the U.S. in 2019. After introducing the measles disease and its associated complications, the course goes on to explain how outbreaks can occur in developed countries, such as the U.S., where the disease was declared eliminated years ago.


Published on 3/25/2019

New CE Series Now Available!

NCCT’s continuing education series titled ‘Allergies and Hypersensitivities’ discusses immune system overreactions.

Course #1221019 - Type I Hypersensitivities- Allergies and Hypersensitivities Series, Part 1 of 4

Course #1221119 - Type II Hypersensitivities- Allergies and Hypersensitivities Series, Part 2 of 4

Course #1221219 - Type III Hypersensitivities- Allergies and Hypersensitivities Series, Part 3 of 4

Course #1221319 - Type IV Hypersensitivities- Allergies and Hypersensitivities Series, Part 4 of 4

Each course consists of its own course material and test worth 1CH (4CH total for the series). The courses are intended to be completed in order 1-4.


Arizona Medical Board Revision

NCCA Accredited Certification Programs Included in Arizona Medical Board Revised Medical Assistant Rules

NCCT contributed to the Arizona Medical Board’s exploratory rulemaking research into the existing training requirements and the value of accredited certification for Medical Assistants.

The revised requirements can be found in the Arizona Administrative Register Vol. 25, Issue 4, signed 1.24.2019.

See entire document here.

Note page 150 for relevant portions:

ARTICLE 4. MEDICAL ASSISTANTS

R4-16-401. Medical Assistant Training Requirements

  1. After the effective date of this Section, a supervising physician or physician assistant shall ensure that before a medical assistant is employed, the medical assistant completes either:
    1. An approved training program identified in R4-16-101; or
    2. An unapproved training program and successfully passes the medical assistant examination administered by a certifying organization accredited by either the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or the American National Standards Institute.

U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs

NCCT has added a path for graduates of U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs under its Route 1B eligibility path. Graduates of Certificate/Diploma, Associate, and U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs may all qualify to test under this route.


CLSI Publishes New & Updated Phlebotomy Documents

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute has published new and updated phlebotomy documents. Read more about the updates here .


NCCT Announces Partnership with Pfiedler Education

NCCT announces its partnership with Pfiedler Education as a source of quality continuing education courses for surgical technologists. Pfiedler offers courses free of charge which can be completed and submitted to NCCT for outside CE approval for recertification credit.

Pfiedler Education’ mission is to provide continuing medical education to healthcare professionals. They believe the healthcare professional has a need for quality education with the potential to increase knowledge and when applied, to improve patient care. Pfiedler supports life-long learning and believes the ultimate aim of continuing education is to convey best ideas and techniques, knowing that change is constant and new knowledge governs the educational needs of healthcare professionals. Quality is the prevailing theme of their products and services.

For more information about Pfiedler Education, visit their website at
http://www.pfiedlerenterprises.com/


Pass Rates

View Pass Rates Here


NCMA Meets Meaningful Use Requirements

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program stage two rules allow only the following groups to perform Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) for medication, laboratory, and radiology orders:

“Any licensed healthcare professionals and credentialed medical assistants can enter orders into the medical record for purposes of including the order in the numerator for the objective of CPOE if they can originate the order per state, local, and professional guidelines. Credentialing for a medical assistant must come from an organization other than the organization employing the medical assistant.”*

Our National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) credentials will qualify to meet the above stated CMS requirements. The NCMA certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.

*Excerpt from: Stage 2, Eligible Professional, Meaningful Use Core Measures, Measure 1 of 17. Date issues: October, 2012. CMS Electronic Health Records Incentive Program.


WANTED: Subject Matter Experts!

NCCT is looking for subject matter experts in all of the disciplines it tests. These experts will fill many important roles for the NCCT certification examinations. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information on the different volunteer options, click here. surgical technologists, click here.


Attention California Phlebotomists!

Questions about obtaining or renewing your CA state certification? Go to the lfs website or call 510-620-3800 for assistance.


Contacts

Business Hours

  • Monday-Friday: 7:30am to 5:00pm CST
  • Saturday: 9:00am to 3:00pm CST
  • Sunday: Closed

NCCT Social Channels

Translate This Page