ConnAPA and the Law

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Registering With
the State of Connecticut

Department of Health and Addicition Services
Division of Quality Medical Assurance

Requirements for Physician Assistant Licensure

The Law:
Below is a pdf file of the Statutes regarding the PA practice of medicine in Connecticut and a link to the Connecticut licensing website for PAs.

PA Law (Word documnt)

PA Law (PDF)

Physician Assistant Licensure Information

Fees (As of 10/1/2009):
Initial Application: $190
Renewal Application: $150
Reinstatment: $190

Note: There were changes in the law concerning supervision that went into effect on 7/1/2007 and the file above does not reflect those changes. Of particular note is the fact that supervising physicians no longer have to register with the State. For the most current information re supervision see:

Changes in the PA law, 2007

Changes in the PA law, 2008 (Durable Medical Goods and Handicapped Parking Stickers)

Changes in the PA law, 2010 (RNs executing orders from PAs, Certification of Student Health, Reporting Impaired Drivers to the DMV, PAs and Charity Care)

Physician Supervision Requirements


1985 Attorney General Opinion Regarding PA Orders and Nurses


Eligibility:
An applicant for licensure must meet the eligibility requirements outlined below:

  1. Holds a baccalaureate or higher degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution of higher education;
  2. has graduated from a physician assistant program accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or such successor organization for the accreditation of physician assistant programs as my be approved by the department;
  3. has passed the certification examination of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Inc. (NCCPA);
  4. holds current certification by the NCCPA;
  5. has completed not less than sixty hours of didactic instruction in pharmacology for physician assistant practice approved by the Department of Health and Addiction Services (acceptable instruction may occur in a physician assistant education program or a post-graduate program for physician assistant practice).

An applicant who does not hold a baccalaureate or higher degree and/or who has not graduated from an accredited physician assistant program as specified above may qualify for licensure provided he/she meets the eligibility requirements outlined below:

  1. Has passed the certification examination of the NCCPA not later than December 31, 1982;
  2. has been employed since December 31, 1985, as a physician assistant in Connecticut, with no lapse of such employment of longer than twelve consecutive months;
  3. holds current certification by the NCCPA;
  4. has completed not less than sixty hours of didactic instruction in pharmacology for physician assistant practice approved by the Department of Health and Addiction Services.

Note: Each licensed physician assistant practicing in Connecticut must have a clearly identified supervising physician who maintains the final responsibility for the care of patients and the performance of the physician assistant.