If you’re exploring how to become a PA, you’re likely already drawn to a career that blends medical expertise with compassionate, hands-on patient care. The PA career path offers a unique opportunity to make a direct impact in healthcare—often in less time than it takes to become a physician, and with greater flexibility across specialties.

Whether you are just starting to research PA programs or are ready to apply, understanding the full journey from classroom to clinical practice is essential. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every phase of the process, from prerequisites and education to certification and PA jobs.

Step 1: Meet the Prerequisites

Before applying to PA school, you’ll need a solid academic and clinical foundation. Most students complete a bachelor’s degree with a strong emphasis in science—common majors include biology, health sciences, or chemistry.

Typical PA school prerequisites include:

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology (I & II)
  • Microbiology
  • General and Organic Chemistry
  • Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Medical Terminology

In addition to coursework, applicants are often required to have direct patient care experience—typically between 500 and 2,000 hours. Roles like EMT, medical assistant, CNA, or phlebotomist are common pathways for gaining this experience.

Step 2: Apply to PA School

PA programs are typically 24 to 36 months long and culminate in a master’s degree such as a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS). Admission is highly competitive, and most programs participate in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

What makes a strong PA school application?

  • Solid GPA (3.0 or higher, with higher GPAs preferred)
  • Competitive GRE scores (if required)
  • Healthcare experience hours
  • Letters of recommendation
  • A compelling personal statement

Step 3: Complete PA School

Once admitted, students enter a fast-paced, rigorous curriculum that includes both classroom and clinical training. The first 12–15 months are typically focused on didactic education in subjects such as pharmacology, clinical medicine, pathophysiology, and physical diagnosis.

Clinical Rotations

The final year is spent completing supervised clinical rotations in:

  • Internal Medicine
  • Family Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry
  • Women’s Health

Rotations allow students to gain real-world experience across multiple settings. At the MGH Institute of Health Professions—the only degree-granting affiliate of Mass General Brigham—PA students train alongside peers in multiple disciplines, preparing them for interprofessional, team-based care in complex healthcare systems. The last 13 months of our MPAS program is devoted to clinical clerkships in some of the top medical facilities in the world.

Step 4: Pass the PANCE

After graduating from an accredited PA program, the next milestone is passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). This exam assesses your medical and surgical knowledge and is required to earn the PA-C (Physician Assistant-Certified) credential.

PANCE at a glance:

  • 300 multiple-choice questions.
  • Divided into five blocks of 60 questions.  
  • Covers organ systems, diseases, and tasks (diagnosis, clinical intervention, etc.).

Once you pass, you’ll be eligible to use the PA-C designation.

Step 5: Obtain Licensure and Credentialing

To practice, you’ll need to apply for licensure in the state where you intend to work. Each state has its own medical board and PA requirements, but most include:

  • NCCPA Certification
  • Proof of graduation from an accredited program
  • PANCE results
  • Background checks
  • Application fees

You may also undergo credentialing through your employer or hospital, which verifies your qualifications and certifies you to perform specific medical duties under physician supervision.

Step 6: Land Your First PA Job

Newly certified PAs are in high demand, with PA jobs available in a wide range of specialties and settings, including:

  • Primary care
  • Emergency medicine
  • Surgical specialties
  • Internal medicine
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry

Some graduates begin in generalist roles, while others pursue post-graduate PA residency or fellowship programs to gain deeper experience in a specialty. The job outlook for PAs remains exceptionally strong, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 28 percent growth through 2033—much faster than the national average for all occupations.

Step 7: Maintain Certification and Grow Your Career

Once practicing, PAs must stay certified by completing 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) every two years and passing the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) every 10 years.

Many PAs continue to evolve within the profession by:

  • Gaining additional specialty credentials
  • Taking leadership roles in clinical settings
  • Teaching or mentoring PA students
  • Contributing to clinical research

The PA career path is dynamic and expansive, offering numerous avenues for professional growth, increased responsibility, and personal fulfillment.

The PA Path: A Worthwhile Journey from Student to Certified Clinician

Understanding the PA requirements and timeline is a critical first step if you're exploring how to become a PA. From meeting academic prerequisites and completing a graduate program to earning certification and applying for PA jobs, each phase builds toward a high-impact healthcare career that is flexible, fulfilling, and deeply patient-centered.

Investing in your future as a PA means joining one of the fastest growing and most respected healthcare professions today.