PA School Requirements: The Ultimate Guide
/Discover what PA school prerequisites to take and what healthcare experience you need in order to meet PA school requirements and improve your admissions odds.
by fulfilling pa school requirements, you can demonstrate readiness for a career as a physician assistant to admissions committees
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Introduction to PA school requirements
If you’ve decided to become a physician assistant, you know you’ve chosen a difficult road. But the end result will be well worth all your hard work—if you can get there.
First, you have to excel in rigorous PA school prerequisites. You have to impress professors and supervisors so they can write strong recommendation letters for you. And don’t forget—you have to acquire thousands of hours of healthcare experience as well.
If these PA school requirements don’t sound challenging enough, it doesn’t help that each PA program has its own GPA, GRE, and experience hour requirements. And, more often than not, the stated minimums aren’t enough to actually get you accepted to PA school.
It easily becomes overwhelming. You want to make yourself a competitive PA school applicant, and you’re willing to put in the effort, but you just need to know what to do.
This guide simplifies the steps you need to take to get into PA school. It provides you with all the information you need to meet every PA school’s requirements and get accepted to competitive physician assistant programs.
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PA school degree requirement
Every PA program in the U.S. will require the completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. This degree requirement can also be fulfilled in the course of completing a competitive BS/MS Physician Assistant program.
Students can apply to PA school as they finish their final year of undergraduate study, although many PA applicants choose to earn a few years of work experience before applying (more on this later).
To become a physician assistant, you must complete an ARC-PA-accredited master’s program involving classroom instruction and clinical training.
After completing a PA program, you’ll take the PANCE to earn certification as a physician assistant, after which you’ll seek licensure from your state in order to begin practicing.
(Suggested reading: PA vs. MD: The Biggest Differences)
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PA school course requirements
What are the prerequisites for PA school?
This is where applying to physician assistant programs becomes complicated. PA school requirements vary with every program, so it can be overwhelming to decide what classes to take.
Here is a list of science prerequisites almost guaranteed to be required by all PA programs:
General chemistry: Lecture: two semesters or three quarters | Lab: one term
Biology: Lecture: two semesters or three quarters | Lab: one term
Microbiology: Lecture: one semester or two quarters | Lab: one term
Anatomy: Lecture: one semester or two quarters | Lab: one term
Physiology: Lecture: one semester or two quarters | Lab: one term
Most PA schools require you to take the following non-science prerequisites as well:
English: Lecture: two semesters or three quarters
Statistics: Lecture: one semester or two quarters
Psychology: Lecture: one semester or two quarters
Now, these are the minimum PA school requirements held by the majority of programs. But only completing these courses will limit your options and decrease your competitiveness as an applicant.
For this reason, we highly recommend you take additional coursework to fulfill the stricter requirements of more selective PA schools. It’ll require a more rigorous undergrad curriculum, but the extra effort will increase your program options and your chances of getting accepted.
Make yourself a competitive PA school applicant by taking the following classes:
Organic chemistry: Lecture: one semester or two quarters | Lab: one term
Biochemistry: Lecture: one semester or two quarters | Lab: one term
Medical terminology: Lecture: one semester or two quarters
Genetics: Lecture: one semester or two quarters
Physics: Lecture: one semester or two quarters
Sociology (or a different humanities course): Lecture: one semester or two quarters
Foreign language: Lecture: two semesters or three quarters
(Note: Foreign language requirements or preferences are likely from PA schools located in areas with diverse populations.)
If you follow the above guidelines when completing your PA school prerequisites, you’ll make yourself a competitive applicant and give yourself the widest range of options possible. If you’re considering specific programs already, you can use the PAEA Program Directory to find each one’s specific PA school requirements.
When should you have all your prerequisites completed? Most PA programs will accept your application with two or three prereqs outstanding—but you’ll want to check each school’s protocol before applying. And you must complete those courses prior to matriculating into the program.
(Note: Be careful with AP credits. Many PA schools will not accept them to fulfill course requirements, even if your undergraduate institution does.)
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PA school major requirements
Applicants often ask us, “What is the best major for PA school?”
Ready for the truth? Your major does not matter when applying to a physician assistant program. However, your choice of major will communicate something about you on your PA school applications. So, choose it wisely.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing a major in preparation for PA school:
Make room for your prerequisites. If the major you pick includes all your PA school requirements, great. But if you take the prereqs outside your major or as part of a minor, you won’t be at any disadvantage. Just be sure to fit them in.
Choose a major that helps you maintain a high overall GPA. Most PA schools will consider your science, non-science, and overall GPA when evaluating your application. So selecting a major in which you’re confident you can earn high grades is a smart move. You’ll meet your minimum GPA requirement for PA school more easily if you’re not struggling in your major coursework.
Consider healthcare-adjacent majors. They might be “lighter” than a biological science major, but they will be useful to your work as a physician assistant. Nutrition, kinesiology, and health services administration are good examples. They’ll demonstrate your interest in medicine and provide you with a unique perspective when working with patients.
Show your interest in helping people. Psychology and sociology classes are common PA school requirements, and if you find those subjects interesting, you should go ahead and major in them. Having strong interpersonal skills and a solid understanding of human behavior will help you be a more successful physician assistant.
Demonstrate your knowledge of diverse cultures. This might seem more out-of-the-box than the other suggestions, but majoring in a foreign language can be a strong choice. You’ll prove your ability to understand and communicate with people from other cultures. That’s an attractive feature for PA schools and could help you secure a PA position after you’re certified and licensed.
Follow what engages and excites you. If you love one of the biological sciences—biology, chemistry, anatomy, microbiology, etc.—go ahead and choose it as your major. Don’t feel pressured to appear well-rounded by studying an area that doesn’t interest you. Ultimately, your GPA, extracurriculars, and personal statements will reveal if you’re following your passion. So, be honest with yourself and honest when choosing a major.
What you should remember is this: all applicants who complete PA school requirements can be considered for admission to a program, no matter what their major is.
Most PA program applicants will be either biological, healthcare, or social science majors, but English majors have equal chances of getting accepted—if they also have competitive GPAs and test scores.
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PA school GPA requirement
What GPA is needed for PA school?
The answer is a bit complex. Some PA programs don’t list minimum GPA requirements. Of those that do, most use a 3.0 GPA as the cut-off, although some will have lower or higher PA school requirements.
During the application process, schools will look at your GPA in four ways:
Overall GPA
Science GPA
Non-science GPA
CASPA biology, chemistry, physics (BCP) GPA
You would be clever to start calculating and tracking your GPA in these categories.
Quick note: Most PA schools will require you to earn a C grade or above in your prerequisite science courses. If you receive a C in chemistry but an A in biology, your science GPA will still be 3.0—meeting the minimum. However, PA schools will take note of your C grade. If this is your situation, we’d recommend retaking the prereq to earn a B or above.
Even if the most common PA school GPA requirement is 3.0, thinking a 3.05 GPA will guarantee your acceptance into a strong program would be a mistake. When it comes to PA school admission, looking at minimum requirements isn’t as helpful as considering the averages of accepted students.
In the 2020 Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) report, the average overall GPA of students who were accepted to PA school was 3.6. Accepted students had, on average, a 3.53 science GPA, 3.67 non-science GPA, and 3.5 BCP GPA. These numbers paint a more accurate picture of your admission chances.
However, remember that your GPA isn’t everything. PA school requirements typically include GRE scores, healthcare experience, and letters of recommendation as well. So, if you’re below the average GPA, don’t panic. You’ll have a chance to impress PA programs with the other aspects of your application.
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PA school GRE requirement
According to the PAEA report, over half of PA schools require the GRE General Test. A handful of schools offer the choice of the GRE or the MCAT, but none specifically require the MCAT. Considering that you’ll want to give yourself as many options as possible, it would be in your best interest to take the GRE test—and do well.
As one of your PA school requirements, the GRE is a more forgiving aspect of your application compared to some others. You can take the GRE up to five times within twelve months, and you only need to wait twenty-one days in between test attempts.
Don’t worry about PA schools seeing that you took the GRE multiple times. ETS, the GRE testing agency, allows you to send only the scores you want to potential schools. So retaking the GRE to improve your score is in your best interest.
Many PA schools won’t set a specific minimum GRE score. The programs that do usually set the minimum score around 295—but again, some will be higher and some will be lower.
The average GRE score of accepted students on the 2020 PAEA report was 306—combined verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning. The average analytical writing score was 4.
Plan to take the GRE well ahead of the PA school application deadlines so you can fit in a few retakes to try to get your score above the average. And, of course, consider investing in GRE prep resources to maximize your highest score.
(Suggested reading: The Ideal GRE Study Schedule)
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PA school healthcare experience requirements
We’ve arrived at one of the most important—and daunting—PA school requirements. A strong GPA and high GRE score won’t get you in the door of a competitive PA program if you don’t possess any related healthcare experience.
Many PA schools will designate a minimum number of healthcare hours required for applicants, and the amount varies widely. The University of Iowa, one of the top-ranked PA programs by U.S. News, requires 1,000 hours of direct patient care experience. Other schools require 2,000 hours or more.
A few PA schools, even ones on the top-ranked list, don’t require healthcare experience hours at all. Others will say hours are preferred, but not required. So determining the “magic number” of experience hours gets confusing. That’s why many students can get hung up on this PA school requirement.
The CASPA application categorizes professional experience in distinct ways, so we’ll explore them individually and look at the average hours earned in each category by accepted students (when provided by the PAEA report).
Patient care experience: Patient care experience is by far the most important experience category on PA school applications. This includes experiences where you have responsibility for a patient’s care. Examples include performing procedures, developing treatment plans, and directing a patient’s treatment.
Many students earn these hours while working as an EMT/paramedic, CNA, phlebotomist, dental hygienist, physical therapy aide, LVN, or RN. Some programs specify that only paid patient care experience will satisfy this PA school requirement.
Average hours earned by accepted students: 3,240
Healthcare experience: This category can include both paid and unpaid work in a healthcare setting where you’re interacting with patients but not directly responsible for their care. Examples include cleaning patients, delivering food, taking vitals, administering medication, or working as a scribe.
Average hours earned by accepted students: 1,791
(Note: It may be tricky to distinguish between patient care and healthcare experience. Rule of thumb: Patient care is any time you’re working hands-on with patients. Everything else can be counted as healthcare experience.)
Shadowing: This is fairly self-explanatory—experiences when you officially shadow a healthcare professional, preferably a physician assistant.
Average hours earned by accepted students: 215
Volunteering: This category covers volunteer work you complete in a non-healthcare setting—examples include tutoring, fundraising for charity, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, etc. Think carefully here. If you’ve gone on a medical mission trip or something similar, you may be able to include those hours as healthcare or patient care experience instead.
Average hours earned by accepted students: 719
Research: Experience conducting scientific or medical research. While not a major PA school requirement, research can look good on your applications. Only include hours outside your regular coursework.
Average hours not provided.
(Suggested reading: How to Write a Great Research Assistant Cover Letter)
Leadership experience: This category includes any leadership roles you’ve held within an organization—not necessarily medical-related. Use this opportunity to show potential PA schools your potential to make an impact on others as a physician assistant.
Average hours not provided.
Teaching experience: This category refers to instances when you’ve been in charge of instructing others. Examples include being a teaching assistant or tutor.
Average hours not provided.
Extracurricular activities: This is the catch-all category to include any non-paid experiences that don’t fit under a different option. Make sure these activities are relevant or sharing new information, however. For example, you should list your participation in any healthcare clubs or academic societies. But don’t add activities here just for the sake of it.
Average hours not provided.
Non-healthcare employment: You’ll list all your paid work not occurring in a healthcare or research setting here.
Average hours earned by accepted students: 2,315
How to think about PA school experience requirements
Take a breath. We’ve reached the end of the list. You can see why tackling this PA school requirement gets overwhelming. But, don’t be discouraged. Here is what you can take away from all this information.
Track your hours. Start a spreadsheet now, divide it into the above categories, and input all your applicable past experience. Then keep it regularly updated. This practice will save you a major headache when you’re completing your PA school applications. Also, you might be surprised by how many hours you’ve gained already.
Consider your competition. Many applicants to PA school have worked in a healthcare setting for a few years, which is why the average hours are so high (2,000 hours = 1 year of full-time work). If you’re applying directly from undergrad, you won’t have the chance to earn as many hours, so you’ll have to maximize your existing experience and strengthen the other aspects of your application.
Explore CNA or EMT options. Your best bet is to gain as many direct patient care experience hours as you can, making yourself competitive in this PA school requirement. Becoming a CNA, EMT, or medical assistant requires brief training (typically less than 6 months). If you can manage the training over the summer, you could work part-time during school, adding about 1,000 hours per year to your experience bank.
Think about taking a gap year. Maybe it wasn’t part of your original plan, but taking a gap year after college would allow you the chance to earn meaningful experience hours. You’d also have extra time to focus on making your PA school applications as strong as possible.
Have a back-up plan if you’re not accepted. Even if your experience hours are low, there’s no harm in applying to PA schools. Many schools don’t require experience, so you still have a shot. But accept the possibility you might not be accepted your first round. Have a strong plan in place to improve your application by gaining healthcare experience while you wait for the next application cycle to begin.
Remember, patient care and healthcare experience are PA school requirements because of what they demonstrate—that applicants have a commitment to medicine, strong interpersonal skills, and are experienced working with patients. So, the hours you track—and the other aspects of your application—should prove you possess these characteristics.
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PA school essay requirements
The CASPA personal statement is your 5,000-character chance to impress your application readers and secure yourself an interview. You’ll want to make every word count!
The prompt is vague. You’re asked to explain your motivation or desire to become a physician assistant. This PA school requirement is the best opportunity to share your unique story and communicate why you should be considered for a coveted seat in a PA program.
Here a few tips to help you write a personal statement that lands you an interview:
Give yourself plenty of time to write and refine. Start your statement at least a month before your PA school applications are due—so you can brainstorm, write, edit, and polish your essay without rushing. Ask a couple of people to proofread, too. If possible, ask a PA—they’ll have insight on what worked for them.
Decide first which qualities you want to focus on. Pick ones that will contribute to your effectiveness as a PA—for example, compassion, interpersonal skills, or resourcefulness.
Describe a story of you demonstrating your chosen qualities. Strong personal statements will show, not tell. You can say “I have great compassion,” or you can describe an instance of you showing compassion. Specificity is your friend. Use storytelling skills to engage your readers and draw them into the narrative. You don’t have to choose a story that took place in a healthcare setting if it’s not your most compelling story.
Remember the personal statement is about you. Don’t get caught up in over-describing the setting or other people in your story. At the end of your statement, the readers should be able to list what they learned about you—things like your goals, your most meaningful experiences leading you to the medical field, and your reasons for choosing to become a PA.
Write a captivating introduction and a strong conclusion. The beginning and end will be the most memorable parts of this PA school requirement. Consider opening with your story, or a meaningful quote or even song lyrics—as long as they clearly tie in with the rest of your statement. Your conclusion should connect with your intro, paraphrase the main points of your statement, and reiterate your desire to be a PA in an unforgettable way.
If you follow these guidelines, you’ll end up with a powerful personal statement that grabs your application readers’ attention and persuades them to offer you an interview.
(Further reading: How to Get into PA School: The Ultimate Guide offers extensive advice on all aspects of the PA school application process—including how to write an amazing personal statement.)
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PA school letter of recommendation requirements
When you submit your PA school applications through CASPA, you’ll be asked to add three to five recommenders under the Evaluations section. The CASPA system will email an evaluation request to each recommender directly.
Ensure this PA school requirement is satisfied in a strong way by following these guidelines:
Select your ideal recommenders. It’s best if these individuals have known you for a while in a professional capacity—and have witnessed you interact with patients. The best choices are professionals who actively practice medicine (although one recommendation can come from a science professor). Choosing a PA as a recommender will strengthen your application even further. Of course, you’ll have to balance the quality of what the recommender can say about you with his or her job title.
Ask your recommenders for permission to receive an evaluation request. Be considerate and give your recommenders plenty of time to prepare a thorough evaluation. Contact them a month or two before you plan to submit your PA school application. If they agree to write a recommendation for you, confirm the best email address to use and inform them of the CASPA evaluation process.
Send recommenders information to prepare them. Prior to adding them to your CASPA application—which will trigger the evaluation request to be sent—email your recommenders an updated resume. Include a list of the programs you’re applying to, as well as any specific achievements you’d like to remind them of as they write your evaluation. Remember how busy these individuals are, so show them gratitude by making their job as easy as possible.
By following those three steps, you’ll fulfill this PA school requirement with ease and add impressive recommendations to your application.
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PA school application requirements
You’ve spent years taking prerequisites and fulfilling all the PA school requirements. Now it’s time to compile and submit your application materials. Let’s review the process.
First, we’ve talked a lot about the CASPA application because the majority of PA schools use this system. A few programs—usually those either seeking accreditation or who recently earned it—don’t use the CASPA system. If you choose to apply to any of these select PA schools, you’ll have to follow their specific instructions, although the required materials should be similar.
Many PA schools using CASPA will require additional information in the form of supplemental applications or essays. This information is usually available in the CASPA Program Materials Section, although to be safe, you should peruse each program’s website to double-check that you’ve submitted all of their specific PA school requirements.
Here’s a suggested timeline for your PA school applications:
February–March:
Select and confirm your recommenders.
Take (and retake) the GRE.
April–August:
CASPA application opens late April.
Complete the required application materials.
Complete the supplemental application requirements per program.
Submit applications (many deadlines are on or near September 1).
September–January:
Wait for interview invitations.
Interview at PA schools.
February–March:
Receive decisions (follow up with any schools that waitlisted you).
Commit to and enroll in a PA program.
In the fall:
Start PA school!
We won’t sugarcoat it—getting into PA schools is competitive. But, if you follow the instructions outlined in this guide to excel in each area of your PA school requirements, you’ll have a strong chance of receiving an acceptance.
First, knock out those PA school prerequisites while ensuring that you maintain a strong GPA, then focus on earning a great GRE score, obtaining glowing letters of recommendation, and writing a top-notch personal statement. All the while, immerse yourself in a variety of healthcare experiences so that your extracurricular profile demonstrates that you have the dedication and personal skills to make an excellent PA. These steps will help you stand out from the crowd and bring you closer to the PA school of your dreams.