How Long Does It Take To Become A Physician's Assistant

Fortunately, the path to becoming a physician assistant isn't quite as confusing as that of a nurse practitioner, but if you lot want to go a PA you still need to practise some planning alee. Where y'all are on your educational path will decide how long it takes you to become a dr. assistant.

Regardless of where you fall currently in your education, at that place are a few things you need to know that will help you get a physician banana most efficiently.

Showtime, nigh schools require multiple prerequisite courses before applying. Make sure you know which courses are commonly required by PA programs and complete them before submitting your awarding. Ideally, these prerequisite courses are completed as part of your bachelor's degree to maximize efficiency.If you have not completed these prerequisite courses, this will increase the amount of time it takes for you to become physician banana.These courses must be completed before applying to a PA programme.

Second, many PA programs crave that students have hands-on patient experience before applying. Amount of feel varies from 500 to 2,000 hours.Factor the time it will take you to complete this extensive experience into how long it will have y'all to become a medico assistant. In society to get this much hands-on patient care experience, you may also need to gene in obtaining a medical certificate such equally becoming a medical banana into your educational plan.

The following outline will give y'all an thought of how long you can expect it to take to become a PA depending on your electric current level of education.

Are You Prepare to Thrive?

Learn more virtually our online residency plan; we pair clinical and professional development to take advanced practise providers to the side by side level. Become More Info>>

I am currently a high school educatee…

If yous are currently a high school student, you lot take two paths you can take to the physician banana career. Commencement, you lot can nourish an accelerated physician assistant program designed specifically for students graduating from high schoolhouse. These programs commonly take about 5 years to complete and award students both a bachelor's and master's degree.

If yous don't choose to attend an accelerated program specifically for recent high school grads, your side by side stride is to get a bachelor'due south degree. Make certain yous consummate courses required for awarding to PA programs during your undergraduate education. Getting your bachelor's degree volition take four years. Then, you lot will have to nourish a physician assistant program. This will require an additional two years. And so, if yous are currently in high school and choose non to attend an accelerated program you lot can expect information technology will take you at to the lowest degree six years to become a physician assistant.

I am currently a higher student or I already have a available's caste…

If you currently accept, or are working on your bachelor's degree, your next pace is to apply to a physician assistant programme. PA programs typically have betwixt 24 and 27 months to consummate. So, information technology volition take you about two years to get a medico assistant. If you want to work during your PA program, some schools offer a three year part-time pick.

Planning alee for your PA education is imperative. In addition to completing basic educational requirements similar getting your available'due south degree, yous should become familiar with the form and experience requirements of your programs of interest. PA programs are very competitive so having these essentials in lodge is a must.

You Might Also Like: How Much Does it Cost to Become a Medico Banana?

93 thoughts on "How Long Does it Accept to Become a Physician Assistant?"

I have my aos associates of occupational science in medical assistant I want to get for my bachelors but, I want to do physician assistant. How long will information technology take me to complete my studies of becoming a pa? What schoolhouse would y'all recommend in nyc or any other state?
1. What to do after taking bsc physician assistant form in india?
2. I am a junior student of Cuttington university nursing department and I want to go physician Assistance.
Hullo Jenny,

Once you complete your available's degree, it will accept you nigh 24 to 27 months to complete a PA program.

Permit me look into some NY schools and go dorsum to you with recommendations!
I am currently in loftier schoolschool.What should I or plan ahead in club to become a doc assistant and how long will that take me
1. Is it possible to go for PA after studying Physiotherapy in Nigeria
Hi Angie,

Once you lot stop your bachelor'southward caste, it will take y'all almost ii more years to complete a md assistant program. Make sure that you complete whatever prerequisite courses are needed for a PA program during your bachelor's caste to make the process as efficient as possible.

Hither is a listing of accelerated doc assistant programs for high school students that take about a year off of the process.
I'm currently doing pre-pharmacy and transferring to Temple University. Now, My mind is changed for PA considering I guess it will take shorter than getting Pharm.D
If I starting time programme from this 2015 fall, how long will it take me to become PA?
Hullo Shruti,

It will take you 2 years or a petty longer to get a PA provided that you already have a available's degree.
I am currently in course for my GED. I am very much looking forward to broading my teaching. I have been a CNA for 30 years & I am interested in becoming a PA. What steps exercise you lot recollect is all-time for me to pursuit in my goals to become a PA?
I don't have a bachelor's caste nonetheless. I'm on Pre-Chemist's shop track. Thank you!
I'k thinking well-nigh becoming a navy corpsman? Would those years of feel count if I wanted to become a pa later?
You would need easily-on patient experience for most schools. And then, if you were a medic in the Navy, for example, that would count!
Hi Sabrina,

The first pace for you in becoming a md assistant is to become your bachelor's degree. Then, you can apply to PA programs. Your CNA feel should assistance!
I am 25 and have been working as a Medical Banana for over 4 years at present. I have been highly recommended by the providers I have worked for and am currently working for to become back to school and practise more. I initially was thinking of just going back and condign an RN , but I retrieve I want to get further and get a PA. I have no pre-reqs washed. How long does information technology typically take for someone to get their bachelor's done? I also heard that getting into PA schoolhouse is really hard ?

Thanks for your help!
Jenn
Hello Jenn,

PA programs are very competitive. Your direct patient care experience volition help and I propose y'all proceed information technology upwards in some form as yous complete the prerequisites for your caste.

Typically, if courses are taken every bit a traditional grade load, a bachelor'due south degree takes about 4 years to complete. Make sure you complete the pre-reqs for PA programs as part of your degree. Then, yous should expect your PA programme to have about 2 years to complete.
I am take been a receptionist for 6 year and have the hazard to outset school in a year and i am interested in PA, I accept my GED, just i don't know where should i kickoff , what do i get a bachelors in ? Biology? or something else how and where do i start from where i am right now.
I am pretty much at the very outset, trying to figure out the first step?

Delight some assist .

Cheers,
Shavanie
Hullo Shavanie,

Your first step will be to get a bachelor's degree. A scientific discipline-focused bachelor's will be the most directly related to a career as a physician assistant.
I have not gone to college only a tchnical school I accept my bmo license and I am certified xray tech what practise I need to do to get started and how long volition it accept
Hi Vero,

To get started you volition need to go a bachelor's degree which may take ii-4 years depending on your technical school credits and if they transfer. And then, you will need to complete a physician assistant program which requires about two years.
Hullo, I am in the Cambridge programme. I have done 3 years of O levels and two years of A levels. I have chosen Scientific discipline subjects as in physics, chemical science, and biology. Do I however need a bachelor's degree to start. Or how long will information technology take for me to become a PA. Please help me and requite suggestions delight!!!
Give thanks Yous
I am on track to get my Associate's degree in Radiology right now. I plan to get a Bachelor's with a year long Bridge program afterwards. If I want to be a PA with a specialty (like neonatal or radiology) what should I major in for my bachelors? Radiology or full general health sciences? Is there such thing every bit a specialized PA radiologist for neonatal?
Hi Mia,

I have not heard of a neonatal radiology physician banana. At that place are a few opportunities for md administration working in interventional radiology but information technology is non common. I would recommend getting your bachelors degree in health sciences, biology or chemistry. This will give y'all a broader base on which to start your career should your interests evolve.
Hullo Nayab,

Almost PA programs exercise crave a bachelors caste. Once you lot have this, your md assistant program will terminal about 2 years.
If I have a Bachelor's degree in MRI or CT or Mammography, could that qualify for me to go for a PA? or would it HAVE to be nursing or biology bachelor's degree?
What should i major in B.A to become a PA ? as well when 1 becomes a PA for a while how many school years would it have to become a Primary care physician ?
Hello Louis,

You tin become a physician assistant with any type of bachelor's degree. A B.South. in a scientific discipline like chemistry or biology volition cater best to your futurity career path also equally include many of the prerequisite courses required to utilise to PA programs.

There is not a direct path from PA to Doctor. And so, if you lot eventually decided to go a physician yous would demand to enroll in a 4-year medical school and then consummate a residency.
Hullo Jessica,

You can apply to a PA program with any available's degree as long equally y'all have besides completed whatever other prerequisite courses required by the programme.
I have less than a year left in the Marine Corps and my task is Infantry simply we do hands on all the time called CLS (Combat Life Saver) and I've done many courses that involve hands on. Would this count towards my feel?
Hi Hunter,

While I can't officially speak for PA schools, this type of experience seems like it should count! Many military members become PAs as a result of the training they receive during their service. Thanks for what you do to aid protect our state!
I desire to know that full how many years will accept to go an PA ?
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts and graduated three years ago. I'm interested in going back to schoolhouse and fulfilling my prerequisites for PA school, but I take no feel in the wellness field. What practice I need to exercise to move frontwards in this career path and ensure that I'm accepted to a PA school subsequently my prerequisites are completed without an additional iii years of EMT, paramedic or nursing experience?
Hi Angela,

Well-nigh all PA programs crave direct patient care feel. And so, you will take to put in some time and try into gaining this experience earlier applying. Hither is a list of the most common prerequisite classes you will need to take. Another selection would be to pursue a nurse practitioner track which may have less time given that you lot don't take straight patient intendance experience. An MEPN, or accelerated nurse practitioner program, would take you about 2 years once you finish your prerequisite coursework.
I am currently student in college it is my senior year. My major right at present is Medical Social Work. But I don't know where to get started because I don't know if I have taken the required grade in order to become a doc Banana. Where should I start.
I am interested in condign a PA… I now reside in North Carolina and I am interested in moving to the Atlanta surface area.. or the surrounding suburbs.. I am all the same open to any schools particularly located in Savanna or Augusta.. as I accept family at that place.. I volition exist obtaining a two year assembly degree in liberal arts and need a good schoolhouse to nourish… what is a good major to major in for PA?.. also.. I am interested in attending medical school for three years instead of the two part time because I will need to piece of work.. I heard that there are some schools that offer three years instead of 2.. cheers so much
How-do-you-do Tisha,

If you are planning to get a PA, majoring in a scientific discipline such as biology or chemistry volition assist yous fulfill your PA program prerequisites and will relate well to your future career. Make sure you besides have a programme for getting some easily-on patient care experience as this is required by about PA programs. Here is a link showing some courses y'all may also need to take outside of your major for admission to a physician assistant programme.
Hi my name is; Janet. I'thousand currently working in the hospital been in the field now for 12 years between both hospital ane hospital I was there for 3 years. now merely working at this one been here for ix twelvemonth. I'thousand very interested in taking the PA class, I'm a transporter I take patients to and from their rooms to accept their test washed. I graduated from medical billing and coding in 2016 September, so tin I be helped?
i have completed my 2 years loftier school graduation & 3 years bachelors degree from Bangladesh, at present I am interested to go a physician assistant, and then what I have to do for becoming a physician
Hi Im in high school but haven't graduated however I volition graduate in May information technology it still possible to starting time the accelerated pa program
I'm currently a junior in highschool, I plan on getting my bachelors degree and attending pa school. I have the opportunity to get my cna my senior year of highschool , would that exist beneficial to inbound into pa school? Would that authorize as hands on experience?
Howdy Leah,

Yes – experience equally a CNA would be very beneficial for your PA schoolhouse awarding. CNA experience should count towards directly patient care experience for most PA programs. If you have narrowed downwardly your options, you may want to attain out to schools directly to verify.
I am a foreign medical graduate, I just want to know , how many years will PA program will take
hi! I am currently a salon spa owner and I desire to know how tin I star the class and how long will take it. I want my certification to start doing Botox cosmetics services. The only license I have is cosmetology. Give thanks for your help…Alejandra
I am a high schoolhouse student and my programme is to get a bachelors degree in Registered nursing. Is that a coarse that take the prerequisite courses?
I am a high school student and my programme is to become a bachelors degree in Registered nursing. Is that a coarse that have the prerequisite courses?
Hi Sadae,

In nursing school y'all will likely take many of the prerequisite courses for a PA program. You must also expect at the specific prerequisite courses listed for the PA programs yous might exist interested in attention. This is the only manner to brand sure you complete the necessary coursework.
Hi I'1000 a high school educatee and will be graduated before june 2016, my next plan is to become into a community college and and so transfer to a academy and attend pa schoolhouse. After all these how long volition it take me to become a PA?
How-do-you-do Muntaha,

Most PA programs take almost two years to complete.
Hullo
I am an international transfer d student doing my associates from a county college. I am wondering what do the international student have to practice to get into the PA program. I am so dislocated with all the processes for the international students. And then after my associates do I direct spring to the PA program.
How-do-you-do Harry,

Near PA programs require a bachelor'due south caste. So, your next step would be to go a available's degree, and so employ to dr. assistant programs.
I am currently a highschool student and I'm planning on going to get my bachelors caste in radiations therapy, will that exist an acceptable bachelors caste to have when I decide to enter a P.A program?
Hi CJ,

Yes, whatever available'due south degree volition piece of work. The virtually important affair will be to make sure you complete required prerequisite courses for the PA plan you want to nourish. Some of these courses may non exist included as office of the curriculum for your degree.
I am a first year Radiologic tech student. I have 1 yr left. Later graduation, I program to transfer to a 4 year school to get my bachelors to after become a PA. Is starting in radiology a realistic path? I effigy it is alright because information technology's in the wellness intendance field and takes intendance of all of my patient contact hours. Plus, I'k getting some classes completed along the way.
Hi Lexie,

As long as radiology experience counts toward the patient contact hours required by PA programs, this sounds similar a skillful path!
When applying to medical school, y'all need to take shadowed doctors and have volunteer experience. How much of this is required to apply to be a PA?
I am in centre school and desire to be a pa but wonder what they do and how to become i? Can you assistance?
Hi Cheyenne,

The first step is to get to college for your bachelor's degree. Make sure you look at the classes required for entry to PA schoolhouse so you can accept them while you are working on your caste. You lot will also want to consider working in the healthcare field while you are in schoolhouse. Many PA programs crave experience working with patients.

The next stride is to utilize to medico assistant programs.

Expert luck with your endeavor!
I am currently a Certified Medical Assistant. I'm also a part time LPN student will graduate in November. I was going to practice the bridge to RN but have recently taken the interest to purse P.A. How long would information technology take for me to do a program like this? I'yard super excited and would like to find out how to offset the process for applying. I live in the land of Florida (key).
Hullo Lexie,

This sounds like a realistic programme. You may want to verify with your PA schools of interest that working in radiology counts toward the patient contact hours requirement for access.
Hi Cynthia,

Typically, PA programs are most two years long.
I am currently a high school pupil. I would similar to become a PA, and peradventure afterwards specialize in cardiology. I take been looking at websites and reading multiple articles that say if I desire to become a PA and get accepted into PA schoolhouse, I must take iv years or more than of hands-on clinical experience. Does this mean that I need to go two bachelors (For instance, a bachelors in nursing and one in scientific discipline), or am I supposed to simply volunteer and obtain my experience in that style?
I will be attention college to get my acquaintance degree in nursing and I was wondering how long information technology would have for me to become a PA
Hello, I will be getting my associates caste in Life Sciences in the Fall. I was going for Dentistry merely I changed my career path to become a Physician Assistant. I have a university nearby where I live that has a PA program but they don't crave feel. Would getting experience help me become accustomed into the plan? Also, where should I wait for jobs that would offer the experience I need? I've been looking for a chore to beginning this summer but a lot of the jobs I discover require some sort of feel earlier applying, whether it exist medical experience or job experience. This will be my first task. Thank you, Lilly.
I am a retired Mortuary Affairs Specialist with the The states Army. Would my mortuary feel and morgue / autopsy experience autumn under patient care?
Howdy i would like to know if I take my Associates in Pre Physician Assistant what do i do from this point and how longer would i have to get to schoolhouse?
Howdy Kiesha,

From here yous will need to get your bachelor's degree. Then, you will apply to a dr. banana program.
Hi Gail,

Unfortunately, I recall only living patients count toward the direct patient care experience requirement.
I am currently in loftier school and was wondering what major to take in guild to apply to a PA plan.
Hullo Tre'Nay,

Yous can cull whatsoever major and utilise to PA school. You will need to make sure yous take any prerequisite courses required past the PA schools where you plan to apply. Science majors, similar biology, unremarkably encompass many of these courses inside the curriculum for the major.
I have a Available's caste in Business/ Marketing. I'm too xl and pondering a career change to go a Md's Assistant. Is it besides tardily? What are the course prerequisites?
Hi CN,

Information technology'south certainly not too late to go back. You lot can expect your PA program to accept ii years or a little more. As far as prerequisites, these depend on the specific program. You will likely need to take several scientific discipline courses along with microbiology and anatomy and physiology.

Some PA schools crave hands-on patient care experience for admission. If you want to fast-track your education, the about efficient thing to do would be to apply to schools without this requirement.

Good luck!
I have been in the medical field for almost 20 years, I have a cert medical banana and besides a Dignostic medical sonography. I would dear to become a PA, unfortunately I would have to go backwards to get my LPN, then RN the I could become my PA, is there another route I can take?
Hi Lexie,

Radiology is a practiced path to take. I would say that schools don't consider radiology equally strongly when it comes to hands-on patient care experience as working every bit an EMT, for example, just every bit long as your schools of interest will accept this, it's a adept plan!
HI I am a tenth grader in high schoolhouse and would want to know what do I take to get a bachelor's degree in
Hullo Rickeee,

Thanks for reaching out!

You can get a bachelor's degree in whatsoever subject you like. Brand sure, yet to complete the prerequisite courses necessary to attend PA school. Identify schools you might want to utilize to in one case you complete your available's degree and see what kinds of credits they require for admission to the program. This will assistance guide your form selection.

A degree in healthcare professions or the sciences, such equally biology, often provides the best preparation for PA/NP school. Besides, a scientific discipline caste can make it easier to fit prerequisite courses into your schedule.

Proficient luck!
Hullo,
I completed my undergrad in Economic science as major in 2010. I am looking to do change my field to healthcare. PA looks interesting to me. How long can it take me to go certified as PA? I have no past feel in healthcare.
Cheers in advance.
Hullo Sameen,

First you volition demand to complete the prerequisite courses to utilise to PA school. The time this requires will vary depending on your previous education. Once you lot employ and are accepted to a physician assistant program, yous can expect your PA program to final well-nigh 2 years or a bit longer.

Good luck!
Hi,
I am 62 years of age, & accept been taking care of my folks over xx years of intense disquisitional care, and mother in law for nine. I have tremendous experience.I'm treated like a feel nurse by our medical team, etc.with no text experience. Would any of my years count with a few Doctors letter ? May I apply whatever of these hours as credit to a specific field of study or test out ?
I am starting from scratch, with both parents gone and Mavis xc′ I would like to go along
to care for seniors ,in the chapters where i can make a difference in their quality of life with my years of proven results & knowledge.
I welcome any ideas~
Warmest Thank you,
Sincerely,
Debbie
Hello.
I currently accept an Acquaintance'due south Degree. I have been in healthcare for quit some time. I have been CNA for four years and MA for 9.5 years. Would I exist able to sign up for an accelerated dual course?
I have a Bachelors in Educational activity but I would like to join the medical field and I wanted to try PA .How long would it accept me and what subjects do I demand to major in?
Thanks
Hello!

I currently take a bachelor's caste in History Secondary Education. If I work as a CMA, will I be able to apply to a PA school? Or do I have to get a available's caste in scientific discipline?
Good Morning ,
I just graduated with my Associates in Science I will be going into the MA program. I was thinking about becoming PA after I'm financially stable and completing the MA program. How should I go well-nigh that? Approximately how long does it take to become a PA after having the MA completed. I also currently work as an part assistant and take about a twelvemonth working with an Internal Medicine Medico.
i am interested in becoming a pa and i need data on becoming one. i currently accept a masters degree in public administration. and so what is my next step.
I am an Urologist from Brazil and would similar to become a PA in USA. What should I practice?
I have a bachelor's caste in psychology and a masters in population studies. I did all of these in Africa where I'm from. I want to do PA in The states volition the prerequisites consider some of the courses I did in my 1st and 2nd degree. Are there different requirements for US citizens
Are at that place dissimilar requirements for not United states citizens?
I have a Bachelors in Education but I would similar to join the medical field and I wanted to attempt PA .How long would it have me and what subjects practice I need to major in?
Hi I am international medical graduate. I recently landed in canada. Now I desire to keep my profession as a PA. What should I do? How long it will accept?
I 'am a higher pupil , I but graduate loftier in 2018 , now is my beginning years in college I'm at present taking yeah the course of my major . but I desire to became a physician assistant I don't know long it volition accept me . I just hear form people the said . it gone have me half dozen years or more than then than
Have you ever thought about creating an east-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a web log centered on the same topics you discuss and would beloved to have y'all share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would relish your piece of work. If you are fifty-fifty remotely interested, experience free to shoot me an e mail service.
I'm a cosmetologist i have license in Florida , i caste in Publicity and Marketing in Brazil in 2009 , i desire to be a PA , what's the all-time fashion to become?
I'1000 American citizen now.
There is much this article isn't mentioning:

-GRE, since you demand to ace it yous need to take time to set up for information technology
-Medical Document, depending on where you live this can be years or months.
-Medical Feel, program on ane year working in a field PA schools take. research.
-Volunteering, since yous need to stand out yous need to have time to volunteer.
-References, you lot need to have at least 3 reliable references that are physicians
-Prerequisites, plan on 1-2 years taking prerequisites if you werent a biological science major
-Grades, if you had terrible grades in your undergrad you probably wont get in
For many reasons I couldn't terminate loftier schoolhouse so I got a GED after that a medical interpreter certificate, I piece of work in hospital in the emergency section, I've been interpreting for doctors, physician assistants, nurses and everyone needing my services, and I would similar to know if with my very poor education can I even so go a physician assistant? I'm 36 yrs. old and that makes me experience like maybe is likewise late . Thank y'all in advance for your advice.
Am document nurse how long it take me to become a physician assistant