What’s New in 2012

NCCAOM^® Professional Development Activity (PDA)

The NCCAOM^® is pleased to announce the launching of the new Professional Development Activity
(PDA) Handbook, policies and services. The PDA Department has enhanced the program review process
and made it more user-friendly as well as provided greater opportunities for the PDA Provider to promote
their programs. Below are the new additions to the PDA program beginning January 1, 2011 which will
add to the benefit of being an NCCAOM PDA Provider.

PDA Logo

The NCCAOM is very excited to offer our PDA Providers use of the official NCCAOM PDA logo! The jpeg
formatted logo can be used in advertising and promoting approved continuing education programs. The
appearance of the PDA logo will immediately attract the viewer to the program by visually showing the
seal of approval by the NCCAOM. The PDA logo signifies a quality education program that has been
approved by a leading national organization in the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession. PDA
Providers should e-mail pda@thenccaom.org to receive a jpeg file of the PDA logo for approved programs.

NCCAOM^® Certificate of Participation
NCCAOM^® Certificate of Completion

One of the most significant changes for PDA Providers that will go into effect on January 1, 2011 is a PDA Department issued continuing education certificate. For programs approved after January 1st, the Provider will be e-mailed an NCCAOM^® Certificate of Participation for a live presentation or an NCCAOM^® Certificate of Completion for a distance learning/online course after the program has been approved by NCCAOM. Space will be available for the Provider’s logo and participant information. Only the approved PDA Department certificate may be issued by the Provider during the one-year approval year.

One year PDA Program Approval and Web Posting Service

All PDA programs will be posted on the NCCAOM^® PDA Search Engine for a period of one year from the
approval date. This new process eliminates the two-year PDA program renewal system.

NCCAOM Recertification Categories

PDA Providers are now required to identify the NCCAOM recertification category that their continuing education program fulfills. The identified recertification categories will be added as a search field to the PDA Search Engine and provide an easy method for a Diplomate to find the type of course they need for their recertification. The category abbreviations, with definitions and examples are listed on page 2 of the NCCAOM^® PDA Handbook.

PDA Web Page

We are updating our look and have reorganized the PDA portion of the NCCAOM website to provide easy access to resources for both Providers and Diplomates. Providers will have easy access to all documents needed to have a program approved by the PDA Department. Diplomates will have at their fingertips what they need to acquire PDA approved courses for their recertification requirements.

PDA Search Engine

The number of ways to search for approved programs has now increased dramatically. Programs can be found by multiple field searches, by recertification categories, course title, instructor, dates, location, PDA points, and much more. Please visit the PDA Search Engine for more information.

NCCAOM^® PDA Program Review and Web Posting Application

A new NCCAOM^® PDA Program Review and Web Posting Application is now available. The new application is formatted to be submitted electronically or in the traditional paper format sent to the PDA Department via the U.S. Postal Service. The application has changed and there are new areas for the PDA Provider to submit information. We recommend that the Provider carefully review the new application and access the NCCAOM PDA Handbook for more detailed information. As always, Providers are welcome to contact the PDA Department at pda@thenccaom.org or 904-674-2474.

PDA Program Review and Web Posting Fees

The PDA Department has added new categories that we hope will further enhance the PDA program and help the Provider. Fees include the review of the program and, if approved, posting on the updated PDA Search Engine for a period of one year. The new review fees and website posting periods will be implemented at the PDA Provider’s next program renewal date.

Expedited program reviews continue to be available at the same additional cost of $50. See the table below for a complete list of fees associated with the PDA program.

Optional Services Fee

Expedited Review – 1 application	$ 50
Expedited Review – 2 to 15 applications	$ 100
Expedited Review – 31 + applications	$ 100
Expedited Review – 16 to 30 applications	$ 150

Note: It is the responsibility of the PDA Provider to track their PDA programs and web posting dates. An NCCAOM^® PDA Program Review and Web Posting Application should be submitted six weeks before the
expiration of the program to allow for continual PDA Search Engine posting.

Program Advertisement

PDA Providers are now required to submit a sample program advertisement when they submit the NCCAOM^® PDA Program Review and Web Posting Application. Continuing education programs may be advertised with the PDA logo if they are approved by NCCAOM. Programs may be advertised as “Pending PDA Points” if the PDA application has been received by the PDA Department. The PDA logo cannot be displayed for programs in pending status.

Program Evaluation

A participant program evaluation or survey is now a required document and must be submitted with the PDA application. The program evaluation provides the PDA Provider with important information about the quality of their continuing education program and gives the participant an opportunity to provide feedback as to the effectiveness of the program and the instructor. A program evaluation template is available for live presentations as well as distance learning and online programs on the PDA webpage or by emailing pda@thenccaom.org.

Distance Learning/Online Worksheet

Beginning in 2011, the PDA Provider must include a program worksheet and state the passing grade for the end-of-course assessment with the PDA application. The program worksheet is a document that provides the student with a method to identify and list major topics of the course and serves as documentation for the Provider that the student has completed the program course work. The completed program worksheet is submitted to the PDA Provider before the end-of-course assessment is sent to the student and should be retained by the Provider. A template is available on the PDA webpage at
www.nccaom.org.

The end -of-course assessment, commonly called a test or exam documents the participants’ knowledge gained from a distance learning or online program. At a minimum, the assessment must include ten questions (at least one question addresses each of the goals and objectives of the program) and the assessment is delivered to the student after the Provider receives the program worksheet which verifies that all course work has been completed and the student is ready to test.