ARC-PA is best described as which of the following?

• A. A professional association of Physician Assistants.
• B. A certification testing service for PAs.
• C. A hospital consortium for PA training.
• D. An accrediting agency for PA education that defines standards and monitors compliance.

Answer: (D)

ARC-PA is about accrediting physician assistant education. It defines the standards that PA programs must meet and monitors whether programs comply, ensuring that graduates are prepared and programs maintain quality. It’s not a professional association, not a certification test service, and not a hospital consortium. Its role is different from certifying individuals or administering exams—the national certification for PAs is handled separately by NCCPA.