Which of the following is NOT an approved agency for verifying board certifications according to NCQA?

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recognizes certain agencies for verifying board certifications to ensure the credibility and reliability of the verification process. Among the options, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is not an approved agency for this purpose.

The AMA (American Medical Association) and ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties) are both established organizations that play a significant role in the certification and credentialing of healthcare professionals. They are recognized by NCQA for their established processes that ensure the integrity of board certification verification.

State licensing agencies are likewise acknowledged because they have the authority to regulate professional practice and verify the licensing status of healthcare providers, which is critical for maintaining quality standards in healthcare.

In contrast, NIH primarily focuses on biomedical research and public health rather than on the certification of healthcare professionals. Thus, it does not fit the criteria established by NCQA for verifying board certifications, making it the correct answer in this context.