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Knowing how to become a PA begins with understanding the role. PAs are licensed medical professionals educated in the medical model who diagnose, treat, and manage diseases while collaborating with physicians.
A PA’s responsibilities differ depending on the setting they work in, but some duties can include the following:
PAs aren’t independent practitioners. Depending on each state’s scope of practice, MDs are responsible for delegating tasks and supervising PAs.
According to Dawn Morton-Rias, president and CEO of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA):
“PAs provide 80 to 90 percent of the services ordinarily provided by physicians.”
Chart your path to becoming a physician assistant with a PA school advisor. From understanding prerequisites to crafting a standout application and navigating interviews, an advisor provides personalized guidance every step of the way.
Becoming a physician assistant requires more than good grades. PA programs screen for academic performance, verified patient care hours, a competitive application, and evidence that you understand what the role actually demands.
Most applicants spend three to five years completing prerequisites, accumulating clinical hours, and working through the application process before they ever set foot in a PA program.
Here are the steps you need to follow to become a PA:
Most PA applicants hold a bachelor’s degree. There are 322 accredited PA programs to choose from. Application requirements for PA programs can vary. However, most institutions have course requirements, including:
Course requirements vary, so ensure you check program requirements before applying. Some PA programs are less competitive than others.
The Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) provides a list of PA program course requirements. For example, Duke University and James Madison University require physiology and anatomy, but other requirements differ.
PA programs can be selective, and academic success is an essential element of your application: many schools require a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to 4.0 to apply. Although schools might have different standards, many have GPA cutoffs.
PA programs don’t require the MCAT, and many no longer need the GRE either.
PA programs typically require between 500 and 2,000 hours of paid healthcare experience (HCE) and patient care experience (PCE).
According to the AAPA,
“Healthcare experience is work in which you are not directly responsible for a patient’s care; patient care experience is when you are directly responsible for a patient’s care.”
Experiences that are typically accepted for PA schools include hands-on clinical roles such as:
Once you finish the preliminary PA education requirements and get the healthcare experience you need, you’re ready to craft your application. You’ll likely use the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) application. Using this service, you can apply to multiple PA programs with a single application.
PA schools have rolling admissions, so it’s in your best interest to submit your application as early as possible. PA applications typically aren’t due until September or October. Maurer advises that most students recommend applying early, in June or July. The CASPA application includes multiple elements:
Pick your program type before you apply. The structure of your PA program determines how long you study, how much debt you carry, and whether you can keep working during school. Here are the four main formats to consider:
True part-time PA programs in the USA are rare. Most accredited programs run on a full-time, fixed-schedule format that cannot be modified.
Only a small number of programs offer a formal part-time or extended-track option, and availability changes year to year:
Drexel University previously offered a part-time PA track in Philadelphia, PA, but paused that option beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year.
PA programs commonly use three interview formats: multiple mini interviews (MMIs), traditional interviews, or a combination of both. While many schools stick to one primary format, others incorporate elements from multiple styles within the same interview day.
MMIs consist of a series of timed stations where applicants rotate through different scenarios. At each station, you might respond to an ethical dilemma, discuss a healthcare issue, or interact with a standardized patient in a simulated clinical setting.
Traditional interviews are more conversational and focus on your experiences, motivations, and fit for the program. Hybrid formats combine elements of both, often including a standard interview alongside a few MMI-style stations.
Your interview has one job: convince the admissions committee you are ready for this program and this career. Every answer you give should connect back to five core themes:
You should also be prepared for the possibility of virtual interviews.
Most PA programs take two to three years of full-time study to complete. Tuition for the entire program ranges from $20,000 to over $100,000.
Students are exposed to different medical procedures, specialties, and skills to get the foundational knowledge and experience they need in a clinical setting. Around 1,000 hours of classes are taken inside classrooms and laboratories, which include:
PA programs generally require students to complete approximately 2,000 hours of supervised clinical training or rotations. Your rotations could focus on:
Exposure to various fields helps broaden your knowledge.
To decide on a PA program, take a look at our tool, which helps you explore accredited PA programs. You can compare and contrast schools based on location, class size, program duration, and more to find the perfect PA program.
After you graduate from an accredited PA program, you must obtain a state license. Ann Marie Strong, a Family Medicine Physician Assistant in Minneapolis, says:
“Most PAs round out their skills with on-the-job training" instead of undertaking optional residencies and additional training.”
To get your license, you must sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) from the NCCPA. After passing the PANCE, you can practice as a PA and earn the credential “Physician Assistant-Certified” (PA-C).
Physician assistants can specialize in a wide variety of areas. Here are some examples of specialties that you may be interested in looking into:
No single major guarantees PA school admission, but the best majors make completing your prerequisites efficient while building clinical context.
The most competitive PA school applicants typically major in:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PAs earn an annual median salary of approximately $133,260. Physician assistant job prospects are plentiful. Three-quarters of PA school graduates receive multiple job offers.
Being a PA has many benefits, such as mid-career flexibility. The generalized education you receive means you can work in numerous settings. The AAPA states that 49% of PAs change their specialty in their careers.
PAs must sit for a recertification exam every ten years and complete 100 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their certification.
Depending on your skills and interests, you may wish to change careers from a physician assistant to another similar career. Here are some alternative career choices with similar skillsets to a PA:
One key distinction between PAs and MDs is their level of autonomy. PAs aren’t independent practitioners. MDs act as the most responsible providers, having total liability over their patients. They can also perform duties independently.
No, although shadowing a PA can benefit you, it won’t count toward your required HCE/PCE hours.
The MCAT isn’t required by any PA programs, but you must take the GRE to apply to some programs.
Including time spent in college, it can take approximately six to seven years to become a PA.
PAs must hold a bachelor’s degree, complete a PA program, and take the PANCE to gain licensure.
To become a physician assistant, you must earn a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) or a similar accredited PA master’s degree. After graduating, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) to become licensed to practice.
Becoming a PA is competitive and requires several steps: completing prerequisite coursework, gaining hands-on clinical experience, and submitting a strong application. The process is demanding, but achievable with strong academics, clinical exposure, and preparation.
Dermatology Resident Physician
The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
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