The Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) is a title that can be used by PAs who have obtained and maintained national certification requirements established by the NCCPA. It is a mark of professional accomplishment, indicating the achievement and maintenance of established levels of knowledge and clinical skills. The PA-C credential is widely recognized within the medical professions and is required in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the American territories for initial licensure or registration as a physician assistant. The PA-C Emeritus designation was established in 2016 to honor PAs who have demonstrated longstanding commitment to the professionalism and standards required of certified PAs but who are no longer clinically practicing and do not have the need to be certified any longer. See NCCPA for more details.