If you’re looking for a rewarding career in healthcare that offers both hands-on patient care and professional flexibility, becoming a physician assistant (PA) could be a great fit. PAs work alongside doctors to diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, and provide essential medical care. “The physician assistant profession was really developed as a team-based, physician-led model,” says Jason Parente, Director of the Physician Assistant program at Northeastern’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences. “What makes it so special is the collaboration we have in providing patient care.”
But what does it take to become a PA? How challenging is the process, and how long does it take? Understanding the path ahead can help you prepare for both the challenges and rewards of this career.
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5 Steps to Become a Physician Assistant
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is the first requirement for becoming a PA, but your major doesn’t have to be in a specific field. “You have to have a bachelor’s, but not necessarily in a particular area of focus,” Parente says. “Many applicants have a science background, but any undergraduate degree is typically sufficient.” If your degree isn’t in a science-related field though, you may need to complete additional coursework before applying.
This is because prior knowledge and coursework you take is critical. PA programs require a strong foundation in sciences like biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology because these subjects form the basis of medical knowledge. Without this background, keeping up with the fast-paced curriculum in PA school can be challenging.
Your GPA also plays a key role in demonstrating your ability to handle the academic rigor of a PA program. Most programs require a minimum of 3.0 or higher, but a competitive GPA can improve your chances of acceptance. Excelling in science courses can also help you stand out among applicants, proving your readiness for the medical training ahead.
2. Gain Clinical Experience
Before applying to PA school, you’ll need real-world experience working with patients. Many programs require a set number of clinical hours to ensure you’ve developed essential skills in patient care. “The majority of programs have a requirement of some pre-existing hands-on patient care experience,” Parente says.
Some common roles that can help you gain clinical experience include:
- Medical assistant (MA)
- Emergency medical technician (EMT)
- Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
Each PA program evaluates prior clinical experience differently. Some require hundreds or even thousands of hours, while others focus more on the depth of experience rather than the total time. Roles that involve direct patient responsibility—such as EMTs, paramedics, or CNAs—are often given more weight than positions that are primarily observational or administrative.
Working directly with patients helps build a variety of skills you’ll use every day as a PA. This can mean a number of things. For example, according to job postings data, there are several important common skills of PAs need, which include:
- Management
- Communication
- Leadership
- Customer service
- Research
This experience doesn’t just develop transferable skills, it can also prepare you for more specialized competencies. According to job postings data, the top specialized skills for PAs include:
- Primary care
- Medical documentation
- Surgical skills
- Patient education
- Developing treatment plans
The right experience not only strengthens your application but also prepares you for the demands of PA school. Working directly with patients helps build the communication, problem-solving, and hands-on skills you’ll use every day as a PA.
3. Get Accepted Into a PA Program
PA programs are highly competitive, and standing out among applicants takes more than just good grades and clinical hours. In fact, most top programs have acceptance rates below ten percent, meaning a strong GPA and clinical experience are just the baseline.
“You’re going to be competing amongst the most competitive applicants for PA,” Parente says. “Everyone is going to have a high GPA and high hours. So you really have to find a way to make yourself unique.”
Here are some ways to make your application stand out:
- Volunteer in underserved communities: PA programs value applicants who show a commitment to service and patient advocacy.
- Build strong relationships with mentors: Thoughtful letters of recommendation from healthcare professionals can make a big difference.
- Take on leadership roles: Whether through work, school, or extracurriculars, leadership experience showcases your ability to take initiative.
If you don’t get accepted on your first attempt, don’t be discouraged. Many applicants reapply after improving their credentials, whether by gaining additional experience, retaking courses, or refining their application materials. The key is to stay focused, learn from feedback, and continue strengthening your qualifications until you secure your spot in a PA program.
4. Complete a PA Program & Clinical Rotations
Once accepted into a PA program, you’ll enter an intensive training period that typically lasts 24 to 36 months. These programs combine rigorous coursework with hands-on clinical rotations, preparing you to diagnose and treat patients in a variety of medical settings.
“While the most challenging part of PA school is getting in, the curriculum is really intense,” Parente says. “At Northeastern, it’s essentially two years around the clock—you don’t get summers off, and there are weeks with four or five exams.”
So, in many ways, PA school requires a full-time commitment with little room for outside work or extended breaks. The fast-paced nature of the program means long hours of studying, back-to-back exams, and intensive hands-on training. So it’s important to strike a balance between coursework and clinical responsibilities if you want to succeed long-term.
Some common time management tips for this include:
- Plan ahead and prioritize tasks: Use a planner or digital calendar to stay organized and break tasks into manageable steps.
- Use time blocking for efficiency: Set dedicated study, clinical, and personal time to maintain balance and productivity.
- Engage in active learning strategies: Reinforce material with practice questions, discussions, and teaching concepts to others.
Clinical rotations are where you take your knowledge from the classroom and apply it directly to patient care during the program. These rotations expose you to a variety of specialties, such as internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and emergency medicine, giving you a well-rounded clinical education. “When you do your clinicals, the experience can vary depending on the school, but partnerships with hospitals and medical centers can play a big role,” Parente says.
For example, Northeastern’s location in Boston’s medical hub provides access to top hospitals and healthcare facilities, offering hands-on training in diverse clinical settings. These partnerships allow you to learn from experienced professionals in major medical centers, community clinics, and specialized care facilities. Therefore, these rotations can help you develop a broad skill set and build valuable connections in the area.
5. Get Certified and Licensed
Before you can start practicing as a physician assistant, you’ll need to pass a national certification exam. “Once you’ve graduated from a PA program, you have to pass the board exam, which is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA),” Parente says.
Passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) allows you to earn the PA-C (Certified Physician Assistant) credential. This certification confirms your medical knowledge and clinical competency, making it a crucial step in launching your career.
After passing the PANCE, you must also meet state licensing requirements, which vary depending on where you plan to practice. Some states require additional certifications—such as a controlled substance license and DEA registration in Massachusetts—before you can prescribe medication. Be sure to check your state’s specific requirements to ensure a smooth transition into the workforce.
Note: If you’re looking for strong job opportunities, according to job posting data New York, Florida, Texas, and California are expected to be the top states hiring PAs in 2025.
Certification doesn’t end after passing the exam. To maintain your PA-C credential, you’ll need to complete continuing medical education (CME) credits and pass a recertification exam every ten years. Staying up to date with these requirements ensures you remain licensed and able to provide the highest standard of patient care throughout your career.
Is Becoming a PA Difficult? What to Expect from the Journey
Now that you know the steps to becoming a PA, you might be wondering just how challenging this path can be. While the journey is structured and achievable, it also demands dedication, adaptability, and a commitment to fast-paced learning. Here’s what you need to know about the level of difficulty and the timeline you can expect.
How Hard Is It to Become a PA?
Pursuing a career as a physician assistant comes with its challenges. PA programs move quickly, covering a broad range of medical knowledge in a short period. “We put a lot of medicine in a very little amount of time,” Parente says. “You have to be able to adapt, pivot, and be flexible.”
While rigorous, the path to becoming a PA is shorter and more direct than medical school. Instead of spending four years in school followed by several years in residency, PA programs condense medical education into about two to three years. This means you can enter the workforce and start treating patients sooner—and with strong earning potential. According to job postings data, the median salary for PAs in the U.S. is $140,200, making it a lucrative career option for those passionate about patient care.
But how long does all of that actually take to become a PA?
How Long Does It Take to Become a PA?
On average, becoming a PA takes six to seven years, including a four-year bachelor’s degree followed by a two- to three-year PA program. However, this could take longer for some if they need to gain healthcare experience before applying to the program though.
While the journey to becoming a PA is demanding, it’s also structured and achievable with the right plan. Now that you know what timeline to expect, let’s break down the key steps to getting there.
Become a Physician Assistant at Northeastern
Choosing the right PA program is essential to your success, and Northeastern offers the competitive edge you need to thrive in this demanding field. Ranked #20 in the U.S., Northeastern’s PA program is highly competitive and designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in healthcare.
With strong clinical partnerships in Boston, one of the nation’s top healthcare hubs, you’ll gain hands-on experience in world-class hospitals and medical centers. Many students even receive job offers before graduation, giving you a direct path into the workforce.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward a fulfilling career in healthcare, Northeastern’s PA program can help you get there. Apply today and start your journey toward becoming a physician assistant.
