The acronyms MPAS and PA-C define a certified Physician Assistant’s career trajectory. MPAS stands for Master of Physician Assistant Studies, signifying the rigorous graduate-level education required to enter the profession. This academic credential must be paired with the PA-C designation, which means Physician Assistant-Certified, to establish the legal authority to practice medicine. Together, these credentials mark the completion of accredited training and the achievement of national standards necessary for licensure and clinical practice.
Defining the PA-C Credential
The “PA-C” designation is the legal professional title granted to a Physician Assistant who has successfully demonstrated competency on a national examination. This certification is issued by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and is recognized across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and American territories. The “C” confirms the individual has met a uniform, national standard of medical knowledge and skills, which is a foundational requirement for state licensure. State medical boards rely on this designation as a prerequisite for granting a license, which is the final authorization required to treat patients. Without the active PA-C credential, a Physician Assistant cannot obtain or maintain the license needed to perform their job duties.
The Scope of Practice for a Certified Physician Assistant
A Certified Physician Assistant is a licensed medical professional authorized to practice medicine in a wide range of settings and specialties. Their scope of work encompasses many duties traditionally performed by a physician, allowing them to function as a versatile member of the healthcare team. PA-Cs diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and develop treatment plans for patients. They are also authorized to write prescriptions, including controlled substances, with the extent of their authority determined by state law. In surgical settings, a PA-C often serves as a first assistant.
The practice of a PA-C is rooted in a collaborative relationship with a physician (MD or DO). This team-based approach means that while the PA-C maintains a degree of autonomy in patient care, they practice under a defined agreement with a supervising physician. The specific requirements for this collaboration, including the physician-to-PA ratio and the level of supervision, are established by state laws and regulations. Ongoing communication ensures coordinated care that aligns with the PA’s education and experience.
Understanding the MPAS Degree
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree represents the academic completion of a Physician Assistant’s formal medical education. This graduate-level degree is the standard for entry into the profession across the United States. Entry into an MPAS program is highly competitive and typically requires a bachelor’s degree, often in a science-related field, along with significant prior patient care experience hours.
The MPAS program is intensive, usually spanning between 24 and 36 months of continuous, full-time study. The curriculum is structured into two main phases, beginning with a didactic period focused on foundational medical sciences like anatomy, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. Following the didactic coursework, students transition into the clinical rotations phase, which provides hands-on patient care experience. Students complete over 2,000 hours of clinical rotations across various core medical disciplines.
Achieving Certification: The Role of the NCCPA and PANCE
Earning the “C” in PA-C requires passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The NCCPA functions as the sole national certifying body, establishing competency standards for entry-level practice. Only graduates of a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) are eligible to take this exam.
The PANCE is a six-hour, computer-based exam consisting of 300 multiple-choice questions, divided into five blocks of 60 questions each. The content assesses a candidate’s general medical and surgical knowledge, ensuring they possess the minimum level of competence required for state licensure. Candidates who have never been certified are subject to the six-years/six-attempts rule. This rule dictates that a graduate has a maximum of six years from program completion to pass the PANCE, with a limit of six total attempts.
Maintaining the PA-C Status
Achieving the PA-C status requires continuous maintenance to remain active and valid for practice. The certification operates on a 10-year cycle, during which Physician Assistants must meet two distinct requirements to demonstrate ongoing competency and remain current with evolving medical knowledge.
The first requirement involves Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits. A certified PA must complete and log 100 hours of CME every two years, earned in five two-year cycles. A certain number of those hours must be Category 1 CME, involving structured, accredited educational activities. The second requirement is the successful completion of a recertification examination by the end of the 10th year, either the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination (PANRE) or the PANRE Longitudinal Assessment (PANRE-LA).