Patient Advocate Certification Board

05/26/2026

𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥, 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙘𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙘𝙮

The future of patient advocacy is entering an important new phase.

Earlier this month, the PACB Board of Directors voted to dedicate the forthcoming edition of the BCPA Body of Knowledge (BOK) in honor of George J. Annas, whose work helped shape modern thinking around patient rights, autonomy, and ethical healthcare advocacy.

At the same time, PACB’s newly established Curriculum Advisory Board (CAB) has formally begun work on development and oversight of a foundational patient advocacy curriculum aligned with the BCPA Body of Knowledge.

This represents an important step forward for the profession. The goal is not disease-specific training, but the creation of a shared educational foundation for professional patient and healthcare advocacy — grounded in ethics, communication, health systems literacy, patient autonomy, and the core competencies reflected in the BOK.

As healthcare continues to evolve, so too must the preparation and standards that support professional advocates. This work reflects PACB’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the profession and helping ensure that patient-centered advocacy remains informed, ethical, and impactful for years to come.

We will continue to share about this initiative… stay tuned!

05/22/2026

Upcoming Continuing Education Opportunities

The following CE programs are scheduled for the coming weeks. Please register directly with the sponsoring organization.

Live Virtual Events

Compassionate Navigation
June 22, 2026
When Care Gets Complicated: Communication Skills for Challenging Advocacy Encounters Using the BRIDGE Framework™
Four-part series beginning June 22, 2026
https://www.compassionatenavigation.com/

Pulse Center for Patient Safety
July 6, 2026
Pulse Center for Patient Safety Summer Series: A Group Discussion on Health, Equity & Patient Advocacy
Six-part series beginning July 6, 2026
https://www.pulsecenterforpatientsafety.org/summerseries

Rothkoff Law
June 11, 2026
Writing Your Own Legacy
https://rothkofflaw.com/

Self-Study Activities

PracticeUP Online
June 20, 2026
Understanding the United States Healthcare System
https://practiceuponline.com/

Sonoran Wayfinders
May 27, 2026
AI? Piece of Cake
https://sonoranwayfinders.com/aaa/

Webinars — Live or On Demand

Alliance of Professional Health Advocates
June 18, 2026
Patient Rights in Practice: Lessons in Advocacy
https://aphadvocates.org/

HealthAdvocateX
June 23, 2026
Partnering for Healing: Case Studies in Collaborative Eating Disorder Recovery
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/partnering-for-healing-collaborative-eating-disorder-recovery-tickets-1989972288684

NAHAC
June 16, 2026
Protecting Assets from Estate Taxes, Nursing Home Costs, Creditors, In-Laws & Problems Arising Out of Probate
https://nahac.com/

OneOp
June 18, 2026
Coping with Client Loss: Professional Approaches for Service Providers
https://oneop.org/learn/160139/

June 25, 2026
Dietary Approaches to Support Brain Health in Aging
https://oneop.org/learn/160138/

Pulse Center for Patient Safety

May 27, 2026
Accessing Medical Records & Patient Portals to Improve Communication & Care
https://www.pulsecenterforpatientsafety.org/aces

05/22/2026

Article Spotlight: Independent Advocacy in Context

PACB is pleased to highlight the recent publication of “Independent Advocacy in Context” in the American Bar Association Health eSource.

The article was co-authored by Malynnda Stewart, PhD, BCPA, former PACB Board member and current Chair of HealthAdvocateX and Heidi B. Ku**er, MD, MPH, BCPA, PACB President.

Their collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing broader understanding of independent patient advocacy and its evolving role within healthcare.

Read the article in American Bar Association Health eSource:

A recent article in ABA Health eSource raises legitimate concerns about certain profit-driven models operating under the label of patient advocacy

05/04/2026

Shelbey Arevalo Bcpa featured in The New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/well/cavity-filling-second-opinion.html?smid=url-share

How to weigh your dental options.

04/18/2026

Follow Patient Advocate Certification Board on LinkedIn!

Patient Advocate Certification Board, Inc. (PACB) | 2,949 followers on LinkedIn. An International Certification/Credential For Patient Advocates | The mission of the PACB is "To establish a national credential (BCPA - Board Certified Patient Advocate) for those who advocate for patients."....

04/17/2026

🚀 Building Momentum with a New BCPA Cohort

The recent progress of NASA’s Artemis missions is a powerful reminder that meaningful advancement is built step by step—through preparation, collaboration, and a shared vision for the future.

The patient and health care advocacy profession is no different.

With the close of our latest exam cycle, PACB is proud to welcome 150 newly Board Certified Patient Advocates (BCPAs). Each certification represents not only a personal achievement, but a meaningful step forward in expanding access to ethical, skilled advocacy for patients and families navigating complex healthcare systems.

Certification is a public trust—one upheld daily through the integrity, professionalism, and dedication of BCPAs.

Congratulations to our newest certificants, and thank you to the subject matter experts and volunteers who make this work possible.

03/02/2026

Join the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in promoting Patient Safety Awareness Week: March 8–14, 2026

Patient Safety Awareness Week, an annual recognition event in March, is a way to encourage all to learn more about health care safety. During this week, IHI seeks to advance important discussions locally and globally, and inspire action to improve the safety of the health care system — for patient...

03/02/2026

𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭

Advocacy is about people, connection, and trust.

Certification helps show clients — and employers — that you’re prepared.

📘 Spring exam FAQs:
https://www.pacboard.org/faq/

02/24/2026

Make Your Impact Official

You already help people navigate complex systems.

Now make your impact official with Patient Advocate Certification.

🌱 Spring exam cycle info here:

https://www.pacboard.org/exam-application-and-testing-windows/

02/17/2026

Spring 2026 BCPA Exam Cycle - Registration Now Open
The next Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) exam cycle begins on March 7, 2026. As a certificant, you play a critical role in the continued growth and credibility of this profession. When new candidates enter the pipeline prepared and committed, it strengthens the value of the credential for everyone.

If you know colleagues, mentees, or emerging advocates who are ready to demonstrate professional competence, encourage them to review the Candidate Handbook and consider applying. Certification signals adherence to national standards and ethical practice, something the healthcare system increasingly needs.

Your voice matters. Referrals from current BCPAs remain one of the strongest drivers of qualified candidates entering the profession. Applicants are encouraged to review the Candidate Handbook and study materials to confirm readiness.

The official Candidate Handbook outlines eligibility requirements, exam policies, application procedures, and key information for individuals pursuing the Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) credential.