Articles

NCQA Clarification on Race/Ethnicity Requirements for Reappointment Applications

To summarize NCQA’s guidance:

• The R/E/L data collection fields were introduced to recredentialing applications beginning with the 2025 standards year.
• NCQA intends to retire this requirement for recredentialing starting with the 2028 standards year, three years after implementation.
• The purpose of this timeframe is to allow organizations to capture R/E/L data for practitioners who were already in the recredentialing cycle when the requirement was introduced.
• Once all practitioners have completed an application that includes the R/E/L fields and attestation, the requirement will no longer apply to recredentialing.
• Beginning in 2028, R/E/L data collection will apply only to initial credentialing applications.

NCQA acknowledged that there has been some confusion around this requirement and indicated they will continue to monitor questions and provide additional guidance as needed.

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From: Tsveta Polhemus <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2026 9:37 AM
Subject: RE: Clarification Request: Race/Ethnicity Statement Requirement for NCQA Applications and Audits

NCQA added the requirement for R/E/L data collection fields to the recredentialing cycle in the 2025 standards year. NCQA plans to retire this requirement for recredentialing beginning with the 2028 standards year, three years after its introduction.  This timing allows organizations to capture R/E/L data for practitioners who were already in the recredentialing cycle when the requirement was introduced and who will complete the cycle within the three-year period following implementation. For many practitioners, this will be the first time they complete an application that includes the required R/E/L fields and attestation.  NCQA plans to retire the recredentialing requirement once all practitioners have completed an application with the new R/E/L requirements. Beginning with the 2028 standards year, this requirement will apply only to initial credentialing applications. 

Apologies for any confusion. We will continue to monitor this question and provide additional guidance if needed. 

Warm regards, 

Tsveta  [email protected]