Physician Assistant (PA) school typically lasts about 24 to 27 months (2 to 2.5 years) for the master's degree program itself. Most PA programs are full- time and continuous, combining didactic classroom instruction in the first 12-15 months with clinical rotations in the final 12 months
. Some programs may extend to 3 years, and there are accelerated combined bachelor's and PA master's programs that can be completed in about 5 years
. After completing PA school, graduates must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) to become licensed to practice
. However, the total time to become a practicing PA is longer when including prerequisite undergraduate education and required healthcare experience. This overall timeline usually ranges from 6 to 9 years:
- 4 years for a bachelor's degree (including prerequisite courses)
- 2 to 3 years of PA school
- Additional time for clinical experience and certification
Thus, while PA school itself is around 2 to 2.5 years, the entire path to becoming a PA typically takes 6 to 9 years
. Summary:
Stage| Typical Duration
---|---
Bachelor's degree| ~4 years
PA school (Master's program)| 24 to 27 months (2-2.5 years)
Total time to become PA| 6 to 9 years
This timeline can vary based on program length, part-time vs. full-time status, and additional residency or specialization training
