Physician assistants need a separate state license everywhere they practice. Unlike physicians and nurses, there is no operational interstate compact to speed up the process. Barton manages every step of PA licensing, from application through approval, so you can focus on your next locum tenens assignment.
Every state issues its own physician assistant license through its medical board or PA licensing board. There is no national PA license, and every state has its own licensing requirements, application process, and approval timeline.
That means you'll need a separate PA license for every state where you practice. Barton has helped thousands of physician assistants get licensed nationwide and manages the process from start to finish.
The moment a license is needed — for an active assignment or proactively — your dedicated licensor takes ownership:
Your licensor walks you through the specific requirements for your state verbally — before a single form is touched.
Barton pre-populates your application using information from your CV and profile. You review and sign — not start from scratch.
Notary appointments, fingerprinting, FedEx pickups — all coordinated by your licensor.
Barton manages all follow-up with the state licensing board through to the license in hand.
Licensing fees for active assignments are covered — one less thing standing between you and your next opportunity.
Most physician assistant licenses take three weeks to three months, depending on the state. Processing times vary by licensing board and application requirements. Barton tracks current state processing times and provides an up-to-date estimate when your licensing process begins.
PAs currently have no interstate compact in active operation — meaning there is no expedited multi-state pathway equivalent to the IMLC for physicians or the NLC for nurses. Every state requires its own full application.
The PA Licensure Compact has been enacted in 19 states but is not yet operational because the technology needed to issue compact practice privileges is still being built. Multi-state practice through the compact is projected to begin in 2027.
Until then, physician assistants must obtain a separate license in every state where they practice. Barton’s licensing team is monitoring developments closely and will help PA clinicians navigate this pathway as it becomes available. When it does, it will represent a significant shift in how PAs access multi-state opportunities.
Source: PA Licensure Compact Commission
Licensing allows you to practice. State law determines how you practice. Some states require a supervising physician, others require a collaborating physician, and some have fewer ongoing practice requirements. Your Barton licensing specialist will explain your state's requirements before you accept an assignment.
| Requirement type | What it means |
|---|---|
| No requirement | PA practices independently. No supervising or collaborating physician agreement needed. |
| Collaboration agreement | A formal agreement with a collaborating physician is required, but day-to-day supervision is not mandated. |
| Supervision requirement | A supervising physician must be designated and, in some cases, available for consultation or on-site during PA practice. |
When state law requires physician supervision or collaboration, the hiring facility is responsible for providing that physician. Your Barton licensing specialist will review these requirements before your assignment begins.
PAs are authorized to prescribe medications — including controlled substances in schedules II through V — in all 50 states and Washington, DC. If your assignment requires prescribing controlled substances, DEA registration is needed in addition to your state license.
| Registration | What it is | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| State PA License | Legal authority to practice as a PA in the state — required first | Barton |
| CSR (where applicable) | State-specific controlled substance registration, required in states that have one | Barton secures for active assignments |
| DEA Registration | Federal registration to prescribe controlled substances. Barton secures when required for the assignment. | Barton secures for active assignments. Requires confirmed practice address — not available proactively. |
Physicians who are already licensed move faster. Instead of waiting until an opportunity opens, get licensed in the states where you want to work now.
Barton helps you identify high-demand states for your specialty and manages the licensing process from application to approval, so you're ready to submit on day one.
Yes. There is no interstate compact currently operational for PAs, which means every new state requires its own full application through that state’s licensing board. Barton manages the process for each state so you don’t have to start from scratch.
Generally three weeks to three months, depending on the state. Barton tracks real-time state processing data and will give you a current estimate when your request is initiated.
Where a supervising or collaborating physician is required, the facility provides one — that is a facility-side responsibility. Barton does not supply collaborating physicians. Your licensor will flag this requirement for each assignment state before you commit, so you know what to expect.
Yes. PAs are authorized to prescribe controlled substances in schedules II through V in all 50 states and Washington, DC. If your assignment requires it, Barton secures DEA registration for the assignment. DEA registration requires a confirmed practice address and is not available proactively.
Licensing fees for active assignments are covered — one less thing standing between you and your next opportunity. For proactive licensing, talk to your licensing specialist about how fees are handled for your situation.
The PA Licensure Compact is an interstate agreement currently enacted in 19 states that will eventually allow PAs to practice across member states without separate individual state licenses. The data infrastructure to grant compact practice privileges is still being built — multi-state compact practice is projected to launch in early 2027. Barton’s licensing team is monitoring developments and will help PA clinicians navigate this pathway when it becomes available.
Proactive licensing means getting licensed in a state before a specific assignment exists. Because PA licensing is entirely state-by-state with no compact shortcut currently available, being already licensed where the work is can significantly shorten your path from interest to first shift. Barton can help identify where your specialty is in demand and get you licensed ahead of time.
No. You must hold an active, valid PA license in a state before practicing there. Barton will always confirm licensure status before a start date is set.
One call with your dedicated licensor is all it takes to get started. Barton handles the rest.
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