Physician assistants work collaboratively with physicians to examine patients, order diagnostic studies, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, participate in surgery, and treat chronic conditions. They work in all healthcare settings and because they are trained as generalists, can practice in family medicine or have the flexibility to enter specialty fields.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics has reported physician assistant employment is projected to grow 28% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. This potentially could rise due to the excellent rating scores physician assistants attain for work-life balance, job versatility, competitive salary, and overall satisfaction.
Addressing the Physician Shortage
Coupled with a physician shortage, estimated by the American Medical Colleges to be 124,000 by the year 2034, demand for physician assistants is rapidly accelerating. Academic institutions have recognized the imminent need to address this issue and currently there are numerous accredited programs available to train physician assistants for licensure.
Education and Prerequisites to Become a Physician Assistant
If you are interested in entering the medical field, education time commitment and expenses are factors to consider. A physician assistant career can be a great option to expedite the process and treat patients faster. To qualify, you need to have attained a bachelor’s degree. This is followed by completing a graduate program for physician assistants and passing a certifying exam administered by the National Commision on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). On average, physician assistant programs are master’s degree level programs that last 27 months in duration.
Acceptance to a physician assistant school is complicated and admission is determined by many variables. To begin, there are necessary prerequisites that are very specific to each physician assistant program. However, all physician assistant schools do require the following science courses:
- General Chemistry: two semesters or three quarters with one lab term
- Biology: two semesters or three quarters with one lab term
- Microbiology: one semester or two quarters with one lab term
- Anatomy: one semester or two quarters with one lab term
- Physiology: one semester or two quarters with one lab term
And non-science classes:
- English: two semesters or three quarters
- Statistics: one semester or two quarters
- Psychology: one semester or two quarters
To become a stronger physician assistant candidate, it is also recommended to expand your coursework to include:
- Organic Chemistry: one semester or two quarters with one lab term
- Biochemistry: one semester or two quarters with one lab term
- Genetics: one semester or two quarters
- Foreign Language and/or Medical Terminology: two semesters
While you do not necessarily need a science degree to apply to physician assistant school, it is easier to acquire the prerequisites if you do. Common majors include biology, biochemistry, biomedical science, chemistry, health sciences, kinesiology, neuroscience, nutrition, psychology, physiology, and nursing. If your major did not include the prerequisite classes, you will need to take them additionally during your four years of undergraduate education or acquire them post graduation. Some universities offer pre-PA tracts although these are relatively rare.
So, How Long Does it Take to Become a Physician Assistant?
In addition to the academic requirements, a potential student will need at least 1000-1500 hours of hands-on patient care experience. Most accepted applicants have > 3,000 patient hours. Considering one year of full time work is about 2,000 hours, meeting the TOTAL education and work experience physician assistant prerequisites takes about 5-6 years. If you are not planning a gap year(s) and want to apply directly from undergraduate school, you will need to maximize experience hours over the summer months and through part time jobs.
Common prior healthcare experience positions include being a medical assistant, emergency medical technician, paramedic, military corpsman or medic, phlebotomist, emergency room technician, surgical technician, certified nursing assistant, physical/occupational therapy assistants, or registered nurse.
Now aware of the prerequisite time course, you can add 27 months. This is the average physician assistant program length, with a minimum of 24 to a maximum of 36 months. All have a didactic phase loaded with core science and medical classes, followed by 2,000 hours of clinical rotations of supervised training within family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and psychiatry.
The curriculum will highlight anatomy/physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, physical diagnosis, microbiology, clinical lab sciences, behavioral sciences, and medical ethics.
Programs will often offer elective rotations to allow students supplemental training in preferred specialties. All rotations are 2 or 4 weeks in duration with varying total hourly commitments. Expect to work overnight while on inpatient and surgical rotations which can equate to 80 hours or more of training per week.
Once you pass these requirements and graduate, you are close to practicing medicine. Next is passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The exam is designed to test your medical knowledge and skills through 300 challenging multiple-choice questions. It is a 5 hour test administered in five different blocks of 60 questions over 60 minutes each. It is offered via Pearson VUE testing centers and available to take most calendar days of the year. You can apply as early as 90 days prior to your graduation date and sit for the exam one week following attainment of your degree. It is recommended you begin studying for the exam 1-3 months in advance of your scheduled date.
If you pass, you will be designated a PA-C by the NCCPA allowing you to pursue licensure and employment in any of the 50 states. Requirements vary by state so plan accordingly as some can take several weeks to months to process applications, fees, background checks, and verification of all information. The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) licensing website is a great resource to utilize.
To maintain a license, physician assistants are obliged to complete 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) and pay a fee to the NCCPA every two years. Additionally, they must pass a recertifying exam every 10 years to ensure they are competent and current with medical guidelines of care. Lastly, most states also charge fees to maintain your ability to practice so ensure you are aware of the mandated expenses.
That completes your journey to become a physician assistant. As detailed, it is an expedited path to enter healthcare and alleviate the increasing demand for medical providers all while occurring less education debt and having a fulfilling career associated with job security, high pay, and a desirable work-life balance. In comparison to four years of medical school and 3-7 years of residency, physician assistant programs are smaller investments with similar rewarding opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following completion of an undergraduate degree, which should include the necessary course prerequisites, the average physician assistant school is 27 months in duration and offers a master’s degree.
A strong applicant typically has 3,000 hours of medical experience. Considering one year of full time work is about 2,000 hours, 1-2 years duration is common. However, each program has a different minimum number of hours required to apply.
The average physician assistant program length is 27 months, with a minimum of 24 to a maximum of 36 months.
The median length of the clinical phase is 12 months or 2,000 hours of supervised training within family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and psychiatry.
First time PANCE Pass rates exceed 90% following completion of a program. It is recommended to study 1-3 months in advance of the exam.
It takes several weeks to months to obtain a state physician assistant licensure depending on each individual state’s verification process which usually include a background check, fees, and application forms. Plan accordingly and utilize the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) licensing website for guidance.
To maintain a license, physician assistants are obliged to complete 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) and pay a fee to the NCCPA every two years. Additionally, they must pass a recertifying exam every 10 years to ensure they are competent and current with medical guidelines of care.