Primary source verification of qualifications for physician associates

What is primary source verification?

Primary source verification is when the institution which awarded a medical qualification or document (for example, a medical school or university) confirms that the document is authentic.

Council uses ECFMG’s CVHP service for this purpose. ECFMG contacts the overseas institution directly to verify your documents.

Who is required to have documents primary source verified?

You will be required to have your documents verified through CVHP if you are relying on overseas qualifications in your registration application.

When do documents need to be verified?

Before you apply for registration, you must have submitted the required documents to CVHP for verification. We cannot start assessing your application until you provide evidence of this. Therefore, a timely application to CVHP will prevent delays.

By the time you attend your registration interview all relevant documents must have been primary source verified through CVHP. We cannot confirm your registration and issue your practising certificate until we have received your verified documents through CVHP.

What documents will I need to get verified?

The documents you need to get verified will depend on the registration pathway you apply down. Details on the documents to be verified for each pathway are set out below.

Pathway 1 – United Kingdom qualifications-based (PA CHKL1)

• A qualification approved by the General Medical Council for registration as a physician associate/assistant; and
• Successful completion of the Physician Associate Registration Assessment (PARA) or the Physician Associate National Examination (PANE) evidenced by one of the following documents:
  • Examination Results Letter; or
  • PARA/PANE Certificate; or
  • Letter of Assessment Record Confirmation from the Royal College of Physicians. This may be requested from the Royal College of Physicians. For instructions on verification of this document, please see Instructions for Submitting a CGS.

Pathway 2 – United States of America qualifications-based (PA CHKL2) 

• A qualification accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) for state licensure as a physician associate/assistant in the United States of America; and
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Certificate to demonstrate successful completion of the Physician Assistants National Certification Examination (PANCE) examination.

Pathway 3 – Canada qualifications-based (PA CHKL3) 

• A physician assistant qualification accredited by Accreditation Canada and recognised by the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC); and
• Successful completion of the Physician Assistant Entry to Practice Certification Examination (PA CERT EXAM) administered by the PACCC evidenced by one of the following documents:
  • PACCC Certificate
  • Letter of Good Standing from the PACCC. This may be requested from the PACCC. For instructions on verification of this document, please see Instructions for Submitting a CGS .

Pathway 4 – New Zealand experiential 

• Physician associates who are already practising in New Zealand must provide the same documentation listed under Pathways 1, 2, or 3 for primary source verification, depending on the country in which they were awarded their qualifications.

How to create a CVHP account

You can create an account via the CVHP portal .

If you have already established an account, you can log in using your username and password. If you have not established an account, click the Sign-up link and follow the instructions to set up your account.

For questions about CVHP and the verification process, refer to ECFMG's FAQ page or contact ECFMG at cvhpinfo@ecfmg.org.

• Instructions and FAQs for New Zealand Physician Associate applicants

  Special instructions for physician associates applying for registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand