General

Programs and Prospective Programs

Students

Standards

Non-US Health Care Professionals

Clinical postgraduate programs

Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL(updated 7.08)

What is a PA?

Physician assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with the direction and responsible supervision of a doctor of medicine or osteopathy. The physician-PA team relationship is fundamental to the PA profession and enhances the delivery of high quality health care. Within the physician-PA relationship, PAs make clinical decisions and provide a broad range of diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, and health maintenance services. The clinical role of PAs includes primary and specialty care in medical and surgical practice settings. PA practice is centered on patient care and may include educational, research, and administrative activities.

I have a complaint about a program. What do I do?

The ARC-PA only investigates complaints about a program if they are signed, received in writing, and related to the program’s compliance with the Standards. Complaints may be sent to the attention of the ARC-PA at 12000 Findley Road, Suite 240, Duluth, GA, 30097.

What is the relationship of the ARC-PA to the AAPA?

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is one of the collaborating organizations of the ARC-PA. It nominates individuals from its membership to serve as commissioners on the ARC-PA. The AAPA nominates individuals to fill 3 commissioner seats. Each commissioner is appointed for a 3 year term, which is renewable once upon recommendation by the ARC-PA and approval by the AAPA board.

What is the relationship of the ARC-PA to the PAEA?

The Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) is one of the collaborating organizations of the ARC-PA. It nominates individuals from its membership to serve as commissioners on the ARC-PA. The PAEA nominates individuals to fill 3 commissioner seats. Each commissioner is appointed for a 3 year term, which is renewable once upon recommendation by the ARC-PA and approval by the PAEA board.

What is APAP? I hear that acronym used a lot but don't know what it means.

APAP refers to the Association of Physician Assistant Programs. That organization officially changed its name in 2005 to become the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA).

Do you accredit any programs other than Physician Assistant?

The ARC-PA only accredits programs that educate physician assistants.

Is it important for a program to be accredited?

While accreditation is considered a voluntary process, graduation from an ARC-PA accredited entry-level program is important for practice in the United States. Graduation from an accredited program is an eligibility requirement for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination administered by the NCCPA and for state licensure.

Does the ARC-PA accredit postgraduate PA programs?

The ARC-PA accredits both entry-level PA programs, i.e., those preparing individuals for entry into the PA profession and clinical postgraduate programs. Clinical postgraduate programs are “formal educational programs that offer structured curricula, including didactic and clinical components, to educate NCCPA eligible or certified PA's for a defined period of time in preparation for practice in a medical or surgical specialty. Programs typically involve full time study of 12-24 months duration and follow several models including fellowships, graduate degree programs, and residency programs.” The Council for Higher Education Accreditation's (CHEA) recognition of the ARC-PA applies only to its accreditation of entry-level programs.

I am a potential student and want to learn about the accreditation status of the programs to which I am applying. What do I do?

Students or potential students should inquire about a program’s accreditation status with the program director. The ARC-PA publishes the current accreditation status of programs on its web site and will provide the same information to callers. The ARC-PA will not provide any detail of historical or current information about a program’s accreditation status.

I have comments on changes I think should be made to the Standards. What should I do?

Anyone with comments related to the Standards may provide their comments to the ARC-PA national office. Members of organizations serving as ARC-PA collaborating organizations may alternatively choose to contact the commissioner nominated from their professional association with any comments about the Standards. The ARC-PA has a standing committee that reviews and evaluates the Standards and comments received related to them on an ongoing basis. Clarification and changes to wording of the standards to provide clarification can be made at either of the two ARC-PA meetings per year. Substantial changes to the Standards are made every three to five years. Comments may be sent via email to the ARC-PA.

I am a foreign trained physician. How do I become a PA in the United States?

Information for individuals educated as physicians or physician assistants outside of the United States can be found on the FAQ page for Non-US prepared health professionals.

What information about a program can be obtained from the ARC-PA?

The ARC-PA publishes the current accreditation status of PA programs as well as the date of the program’s next ARC-PA site visit.

I am interested in becoming a site visitor, what do I need to do?

The ARC-PA maintains a pool of individuals who serve as site visitors to PA programs. The pool of site visitors is composed of PA educators, practitioners, past and present members of the ARC-PA, physician employers of PAs, and others who have insight into the education and practice of PAs All of these individuals serve as volunteers. To become a site visitor, an individual must participate in an initial site visitor training workshop as well as periodic updates. The ARC-PA posts information in the NEWS section of this web site when site visitor training will occur.