How to Become a Physician Assistant in California
With rising demand for healthcare services, physician assistants play an integral role in making care accessible and helping to keep patients healthy. PAs are able to examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a physician, and they work in a variety of healthcare specialties, including primary care and family medicine, emergency medicine, and psychiatry.
If you’re looking to pursue a career as a physician assistant, it’s important that you understand what it will take to get there. In this career guide, we lay out the steps for becoming a PA in California
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree and Take the Required Prerequisites
Physician assistant programs are usually offered at the master’s level, so you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree before you complete a PA program. Most physician assistant programs will require you to complete certain coursework within the sciences, and they may even require you to earn a certain grade level in those courses.
For example, the prerequisites for West Coast University’s California Master of Physician Assistant (MPA) program include courses in human anatomy and physiology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, human genetics and statistics, and applicants must earn a “B” or better in those courses.
MPA programs may also have other requirements related to applicants’ undergraduate studies, such as a minimum cumulative GPA or Biology/Chemists/Physics (BCP) grade point average.
Learn more about admission requirements for the California MPA program at WCU (see the Admission Requirements section under Program Details).
Gain Work Experience in Clinical Settings
Some physician assistant programs require applicants to have a certain amount of experience working in a clinical environment. For example, WCU’s California MPA program requires applicants to show proof that they achieved a certain number of hours of observation, volunteer, and/or work in one or more clinical settings. Hours can vary significantly by program.
This type of experience can help you qualify for your desired program and help you better prepare for a career in medicine.
Complete an Accredited PA Program
To become a licensed PA, you need to graduate from an entry-level physician assistant program that is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
PA master’s programs tend to last two to three years. The first part of the program is typically focused on classroom instruction (laying a foundation of medical knowledge) while the latter part of the program is typically dedicated to clinical rotations.
Classroom instruction combined with hands-on training
It’s important to choose a program that offers not only a robust curriculum, but also hands-on training in modern facilities so you can prepare yourself for real-life treatment settings.
West Coast University’s Master of Physician Assistant (MPA program) can be completed in 24 months, and it includes a combination of classroom learning, skills labs, and clinical rotations. The MPA students at WCU get to put their learned skills to practice using advanced technology, including virtual dissection and simulation.
Additionally, WCU’s California MPA program is offered in a hybrid format, which means it includes a combination of online and on-campus learning.
Before choosing your MPA program, make sure it aligns with your needs and offers learning opportunities that will help set you up for success.
Pass Your Certification Exam (PANCE)
The next step after completing your program is to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), which is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
The PANCE includes five blocks of 60 questions, and you will have 60 minutes to complete each block. This equates to five hours of exam time, though the entire testing time is six hours with the tutorial and breaks factored in. You will need a score of 350 or higher to pass the PANCE.
How do you apply for the PANCE?
As you get closer to graduation, your PA program will notify the NCCPA of your expected graduation date. You should receive an email from the NCCPA allowing you to set up an account and apply for the exam. You will then be assigned a 180-day window to take your exam, which is based on your graduation date. The earliest you can take your exam is seven days after you complete your program.
Apply for Your California Physician Assistant License
If you are still completing your program, the Physician Assistant Board of California advises that you apply for licensure no sooner than 45 to 60 days prior to graduation. You will need to apply online through BreEZe.
In addition to showing proof that you graduated from an ARC-PA-accredited program and passed your PANCE, you will also need to pass a background check (via a Live Scan or fingerprint cards) and submit an application fee. Learn more about the PA licensure process in California.
Once you are granted a license by the Physician Assistant Board of California, you will also need to sign a practice agreement and secure a supervising physician in order to begin practicing as a PA.
Keep Your License Up to Date
Your PA license must be renewed every two years — except the first renewal, which could be less time since the renewal date is based on your birth month and not the month your license was first issued. The first license period could span from 13 to 23 months, whereas any following renewal periods will be 24 months.
To renew your physician assistant license in California, you will need to carry out the following steps:
- Complete the required continuing medical education (CME)
- Submit a renewal application online (via BreEZe Online Services) or by mail
- Pay the renewal fee
Ready to Start Your Educational Journey? Apply Today!
WCU’s California hybrid MPA program is offered through the university’s Center for Graduate Studies in Los Angeles. Students in this program benefit from:
- A combination of online and on-campus learning
- individualized support as they prepare for the PANCE
- Assistance with clinical placements (which are completed during students’ second year in the program)
Learn more about the MPA program at WCU and apply today!
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