While there are many benefits that come with choosing locum tenens as a career path, one of the most popular reasons is the flexibility that comes with picking and choosing where and when you want to work. But there is one major obstacle that can hold a locum tenens provider back from working in new areas around the country: state licenses. In this blog, we’re taking a look at everything you need to know about getting a physician assistant (PA) license, including some of the easiest states where it’s easiest to get approval to provide care.
How to Get a Physician Assistant (PA) License
PAs are licensed by the state they are practicing in, which means you must obtain a new license for each state in which you will be caring for patients. Every state has different requirements for PA licensure, but there are some prerequisites that are the same across the board. To become a licensed PA in any state, you must:
In addition, some states require you to also have a current certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), which is automatically given to you after you pass the PANCE. However, to maintain a NCCPA certification, you must earn 100 CME credits every two years and take a recertification exam once every decade.
Others require a minimum number of continuing medical education (CME) hours for licensure; many require both a specific number of CME hours and a current NCCPA certification. If you’re confused, don’t worry—we’ll take a look at PA license requirements by state in the next section.
Physician Assistant (PA) License Requirements by State
As mentioned earlier, each state has its own requirements for initial PA licensure and renewals. Here is a list of each state and its requirements, according to information provided by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA):
NOTE: Make sure to check the medical licensing board requirements for your state, as this information may not include everything you need to know.
Graduation from an accredited PA Program, or certain military training
Passage of the PANCE
Renewal requirements: 50 hours with a minimum of 20 hours of Category I and at least one hour from Category III, Two-year update: 100 hours with minimum of 40 hours of Category I and at least two hours from Category III.
Graduation from an accredited PA Program, and master’s degree (waived if PA has a current, valid PA license from another jurisdiction issued prior to 1/1/2008, or if the PA can provide evidence of graduating from an accredited program or any experience practicing as a PA for at least three consecutive years in the military)
Graduation from an accredited PA Program, and a baccalaureate or master’s degree from said PA program or graduated from an approved program of instruction in primary health care or surgery prior to July 1, 1994; or was certified by the Board as a “Type B” PA prior to July 1,1983
How To Get a Physician Assistant License In Another State
PA programs and degrees are designed to fulfill the requirements of national certification, making it fairly easy to achieve for an out-of-state physician assistant to get a license in a second state once they’ve already achieved the core certification and education requirements to become a PA.
Additionally, some states offer PA-friendly processes for achieving temporary or permanent licensure, such as the PA License Compact.
What is the PA License Compact?
States that join the PA License Compact streamline the process for PAs in participating states to practice in another compact state. States that join the compact agree to recognize a valid PA license from other compact states.
As of March 2024, only Delaware, Utah, and Wisconsin are PA License Compact members. States that have filed legislation to enact the compact, but are not yet part of the compact, are: Colorado, Maine, Michigan. Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
What are the easiest states to get a PA license?
Based on our research, Virginia, Montana, Maryland, Kansas, Iowa take around six or less weeks to get a physician assistant (PA) license. In Utah, this process could take a certified physician around four weeks total.
Please be aware that your experience obtaining a license in these states could take longer than the time listed here, as application volumes and other factors may delay issuing a license. It’s important that if you’re seeking licensure in any state, you should start as early as possible in order to give yourself more time to ensure you’re licensed.
Physician Assistant Licensure Cost by State
States set different costs to initial and renewal of PA licenses, with fees ranging from as low as $35 to as high as over $1,000.
The Federation of State Medical Boards put together a handy list of licensure cost by state, which you can find here.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCUM TENENS WITH BARTON ASSOCIATES? REACH OUT TO US TODAY AND ONE OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES WILL GET IN TOUCH!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally written in May 2022 by Chris Keeley and was updated in March 2024 by Mike Connors with new information.
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14 March, 2024 
by
Barton Team 
by
Alison Curfman 
