Certification & Licensure

Graduates of the program are eligible for licensure in all 50 states including the District of Columbia and U. S. Territories (see link below). Licensure procedures for PAs vary widely from state to state. PAs applying for a license must typically meet several core licensure requirements, including graduating from an accredited PA educational program, passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and providing proof of national certification, providing information regarding prior practice (if applicable), and paying associated fees. Many states also require PAs to undergo fingerprinting and/or a background check. However, PA applicants may be required to complete additional actions prior to licensure. There is also a significant variation (between 2-16 weeks) in the time it takes for state licensing boards to process, approve, and issue a license.

Students are strongly advised to review the PA licensure requirements for any jurisdiction they are intending to become licensed in by contacting the state authority responsible for PA licensure and/or reviewing the licensing authority’s website.

Licensure is dependent upon successful completion of the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE), administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Only students who have graduated from programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) may sit for the PANCE.

Licensing Eligibility Adapted From AAPA Licensure by State