Physician Associate/Assistant

Physician Associate/Assistant

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) states: “PAs (physician associates/physician assistants) are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice.”

For further information about the physician assistant profession, visit the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), and PAEA’s PA Focus. In addition, you can search for programs using the PAEA Program Directory and the Accredited Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. maintains a list of physician associate/assistant programs in the United States.

Additional AAPA and PAEA Resources:

• What is a PA?
• PAs & NPs: Similarities & Differences
• The PA Path Podcast

Application service: Approximately two-thirds of physician associate/ assistant programs participate in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants. However, schools that opt not to participate in the central application process require individuals to apply directly to them.

Standardized Test: Not all physician associate/assistant programs require submission of standardized test scores. Those programs that do require such scores typically require the Graduate Record Examination.

Beginning in 2020, applicants to Physician Associate/Assistant schools will be able to take an optional PA-CAT (it is estimated that about 30 PA programs will participate).  Other PA programs may continue to require the GRE until the PA-CAT is fully adopted.