CAQ-Ortho
Orthopaedic Surgery CAQ (Certificate of Added Qualifications)
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Orthopaedic Surgery CAQ is a Certificate of Added Qualifications offered through NCCPA's specialty certificate program, which NCCPA describes as a way for PAs to "show your advanced expertise in your specialty." It is aimed at Board Certified PAs who already hold the PA-C credential and want documented, specialty-level recognition in orthopaedic surgery rather than a generalist certification. NCCPA states that its certification programs "reflect standards for clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning and other medical skills and professional behaviors required upon entry into practice and throughout the careers of PAs," so the CAQ is designed to sit on top of initial certification, not replace it.
Content coverage follows the specialty: orthopaedic assessment and imaging interpretation, fracture and soft-tissue injury management, operative and nonoperative treatment decisions, arthroplasty and sports medicine concepts, pediatric orthopaedics, complications, and rehabilitation. NCCPA maintains a dedicated Specialty CAQ Resources page and a Specialty CAQ FAQs page, and both should be your first stop for the current blueprint, eligibility rules, application steps, and scheduling windows, because those details are revised periodically.
Preparation strategy: build a study plan around the published blueprint rather than a textbook's table of contents, weight time toward high-yield trauma and joint reconstruction material, review imaging and implant terminology, and finish with timed mixed-topic practice that mirrors clinical decision-making rather than isolated recall.
Note: this page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NCCPA.
What you'll study
About CAQ-Ortho preparation
What exactly is the Orthopaedic Surgery CAQ?
It is a Certificate of Added Qualifications earned through NCCPA's specialty certificate program, which NCCPA describes as a way for PAs to "show your advanced expertise in your specialty." It is not a separate license and does not replace PA-C certification; it is an added credential documenting specialty-level knowledge in orthopaedic surgery.
Who should sit for it?
Board Certified PAs who already practice or intend to practice in orthopaedic surgery and want a credential that signals specialty depth. Candidates should confirm current eligibility requirements on NCCPA's Specialty CAQ Resources and Specialty CAQ FAQs pages before applying, since those rules are set and revised by NCCPA.
What does the exam cover?
Expect specialty-focused content in orthopaedic assessment, imaging interpretation, fracture and soft-tissue injury care, nonoperative and operative management, arthroplasty, sports medicine, pediatric orthopaedics, complications, and rehabilitation. Always build your plan from the current blueprint published on NCCPA's Specialty CAQ Resources page rather than from memory or older outlines.
How long is the exam and how many questions are there?
This page does not state a duration, item count, or passing score. Those values are set by NCCPA and can change between exam revisions, so check the Specialty CAQ Resources and Specialty CAQ FAQs pages for current figures rather than relying on numbers quoted by colleagues or older prep material.
How hard is it?
It is a specialty-level exam, so difficulty comes from depth rather than breadth. Candidates who work in orthopaedics still stumble on pediatric deformity, subtle imaging findings, and implant-related complications outside their daily case mix. Treat it as a focused fellowship-style review, not a repeat of general recertification content.
What if I fail - can I retake it?
Retake rules, waiting periods, and any fees are governed by NCCPA policy and are not stated in the source material used here. Check the Specialty CAQ FAQs page and NCCPA's Policies & Procedures page for the current retake policy before you assume a timeline, and plan your first attempt as if no quick retake exists.
How should I order my studying?
Start with the blueprint and score your confidence per domain. Front-load trauma and joint reconstruction, which carry heavy clinical weight, then move to sports medicine, pediatrics, and hand/foot topics. Finish with timed mixed-topic blocks so you practice switching between presentations the way the exam requires.
What are the most common failure modes?
Three recur often: studying from a general orthopaedic textbook instead of the blueprint, neglecting imaging and implant terminology, and over-learning favorite topics while skipping pediatric and complication content. A fourth is ignoring the exam agreement and scheduling logistics until late, which compresses study time.
Where do I find official logistics like fees and dates?
NCCPA maintains a Key Dates page and a Specialty CAQ Resources page, and the specialty certificate section links to a Specialty CAQ FAQs page. Those are the authoritative places for application windows, scheduling, and the CAQ Online Maintenance Exam Agreement. Fees and deadlines are not stated here and should be verified directly.