PA-C

A PA-C is an acronym for a certified physician assistant. They have completed a two-year physician assistant program and have taken the exam administered by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants. The moniker is generally used in the industry and non-medical personnel usually refer to a PA-C as just a “PA.” This certification does not mean that the PA-C has specialized in any particular field, but rather that they have passed a generic certification exam stating that the PA-C has a basic foundation of medicine in accordance to the national standards. Most physician assistants in the industry will have obtained this certification.

If a PA-C is in search of physician assistant jobs, then their employer will usually require the PA-C certification. Most physician assistant jobs that I have encountered don’t specify that this is a requirement because it is generally understood. Most physician assistant positions that you encounter- orthopedic physician assistant, family practice, surgical physician assistant, etc- are filled by PA-C’s and it seems to be a required by most employers for new graduate PA’s. Physician assistants are also referred to as physician associates.