How are physician assistants trained?

Physician assistants are trained in intensive education programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Because of the close working relationship the physician assistants have with physicians, physician assistants are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. Upon graduation, physician assistants take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants in conjunction with the National Board of Medical Examiners. To maintain their national certification, physician assistants must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and sit for the re-certification exam every six years. Graduation from an accredited physician assistant program and passage of the national certifying exam are required for state licensure.