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Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about NCQA’s various programs. If you don’t see what you are looking for in one of the entries below, you can  ask a question through My NCQA.

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5.15.2025 Credentialing Application: Race, Ethnicity and Language (REL) Are separate fields required for race, ethnicity and language? For example, is the CAQH application acceptable to meet CR 3, Element C, factor 6, as the CAQH application collects race and ethnicity under one field and language in another?

The requirement is for the application to have separate fields to enter responses for each of these three data points (race, ethnicity, and language). However, it would be acceptable to group these into one question if the application prompts the user to provide separate responses for race, ethnicity and language. 

Responses provided through the CAQH online portal for credentialing data application are acceptable. Although the online portal supporting the credentialing application groups the responses for race and ethnicity into one field, the practitioner is prompted to provide separate responses within the system. When a practitioner chooses his/her race, the practitioner is then prompted to provide his/her ethnicity information. Language is captured via a separate field.  

This applies to:
HPA: CR 3, Element A, factor 6
CRPN: CRA 3, Element A, factor 6, CRC 10, Elements A, factor 6
MBHO: CR 3, Element A, factor 6

Note: A related question was posted on 3/17/2025: “Credentialing Application: Race, Ethnicity and Language (REL).” This FAQ is an update to that post. 

ALL 2025