Physician Assistant Requirements: Education & Degree Details

To become a Physician Assistant (PA) in the United States:

1. Prerequisite Bachelor's Degree

• Any major, but must complete prerequisite courses: Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry (Gen/Org/Biochem), Statistics, Psychology, Medical Terminology.
• Typical minimum GPA: 3.0–3.5 (competitive >3.5).
• Healthcare experience (HCE): 1,000–4,000+ hrs (CNA, EMT, MA, scribe, phlebotomist) — most programs require paid hands-on patient care.

2. Accredited PA Program (AR-PA)

• Length: ~27 months (3 academic years) — typically Master's degree (MPAS, MHS, MS).
• Curriculum: Didactic (12–15 mo): anatomy, pharmacology, clinical medicine, diagnostics, procedures. Clinical rotations (12–15 mo): family med, IM, surgery, EM, peds, OB/GYN, psych, elective.
• Accreditation: ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the PA).

3. Certification & Licensure

• PANCE: Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (NCCPA).
• State License: Application, fee, background check, NCCPA certification verification.
• Maintenance: 100 CME q2yr + PANRE q10yr (or longitudinal PILOT).

Timeline Summary:

~7–9 years post-high school (4 yr bachelor's + 1–2 yr HCE + 27 mo PA school).

Admission is competitive: ~33% acceptance rate nationally. Strong academics, high-quality HCE, and compelling narrative are key.