Credentials
Is a physician assistant a doctor?
No. A physician assistant, or PA, is not an MD or DO physician, and the title “Dr.” reflects a doctoral degree, not a PA license. PAs earn a state PA license after a master’s-level PA program and a national certifying exam, not medical school and hospital residency. PAs are licensed and can prescribe medication in all 50 states.
What a PA license is
A PA holds a state physician assistant license after completing a master’s-level PA program and passing a national certifying exam. That license is different from an MD or DO license to practice medicine, and a doctoral degree is separate from a license. The title “Dr.” belongs to the degree holder, not to the PA credential itself.
How PA practice is set
A PA’s scope of practice is set at the practice level by the board that issues the license, not by the credential alone. PAs do not follow the same training path as physicians, which includes medical school, residency, and specialty board certification. The PA role is defined through the license and the practice setting, not through a physician-style residency.
State examples
PAs are licensed and prescribe medication in all 50 states, including California and New York. Texas and California still tie PA practice to a written collaboration or supervision agreement with a physician, like most of the country. North Dakota became the first state in 2019 to drop that requirement for most settings, though North Dakota Century Code 43-17-02.1 still requires the written agreement until a PA passes 4,000 practice hours. Montana’s 2023 law exempts PAs with more than 8,000 practice hours from collaboration agreements, and Oregon’s 2024 House Bill 4010 renamed the profession physician associate.
Check it yourself
Related
FAQ
Can a physician assistant use the title Dr.?+
A PA may not use “Dr.” just because they are a PA.
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A PA may not use “Dr.” just because they are a PA. The title “Dr.” reflects a doctoral degree, while a PA license is a separate credential from an MD or DO license to practice medicine.
Do PAs prescribe medication in every state?+
Yes.
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Yes. PAs are licensed and can prescribe medication in all 50 states, including California and New York.
Do all states require physician collaboration for PAs?+
No.
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No. Texas and California still use written collaboration or supervision agreements for PA practice, while North Dakota removed that requirement for most settings in 2019 and Montana’s 2023 law exempts PAs with more than 8,000 practice hours.