How to Verify a Physician Assistant (PA-C) License

The PA credentialing structure

Unlike physicians or nurses, PAs have a unified national credentialing system:

1. PA-C certification: Issued by NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants) — the only recognized national PA credential
2. State PA license: Issued by the state medical board in each state where the PA practices (often processed with physician supervision documentation)
3. CAQ specialty certification: Optional NCCPA credential for specialty practice (Emergency Medicine, Cardiovascular, etc.)
4. DEA registration: For prescribing controlled substances

As of May 2021, the PA profession officially changed its title from “physician assistant” to “physician associate” (while retaining the PA-C credential name). Both terms refer to the same profession — do not be confused by candidates using either title.

NCCPA PA Verify: National certification lookup

PA Verify is the authoritative source for all PA-C certification status:

1. Go to nccpa.net/paverify
2. Enter the PA's first name, last name, and optionally their state
3. Results show: certification status (certified/not certified/expired), certification number, and expiration date
4. If the PA holds CAQ specialty credentials, these also appear in the profile

PA-C certification must be renewed every 2 years through CME (continuing medical education) credits and passing the PANRE (Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam) or PANRE-LA (Longitudinal Assessment) every 10 years. An expired PA-C means the PA is no longer nationally certified.

State license verification

PA licenses are issued by state medical boards (not nursing boards). In most states, PAs are licensed through the same body that licenses physicians:

The FSMB DocInfo tool at docinfo.org covers physician and PA license status in many states and includes disciplinary action history.

CAQ specialty credentials

NCCPA issues Certificates of Added Qualifications (CAQ) for PAs practicing in specific specialties. These are additional credentials beyond PA-C:

• CAQ-Emergency Medicine
• CAQ-Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery
• CAQ-Nephrology
• CAQ-Orthopedic Surgery
• CAQ-Psychiatry
• CAQ-Hospital Medicine

CAQs appear in the PA Verify search result. They require additional exam requirements and specialty experience beyond basic PA-C certification.

Prescriptive authority and DEA registration

PAs are authorized to prescribe in all 50 states. For controlled substances, a separate DEA registration is required. Verify DEA registration through the DEA Diversion Control Division at apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.

Some states previously required physician oversight for PA prescribing — this requirement has been eliminated in many states. Confirm the specific state regulations where the PA will practice.

Red flags

• Not found in NCCPA PA Verify — could mean name mismatch, expired, or never certified; ask for NCCPA certification number
• PA-C certification expired — PA-C requires biennial renewal; an expired PA-C means the PA is not currently nationally certified
• State license shows “probationary” or disciplinary conditions — PAs are regulated by medical boards that may impose practice restrictions
• Claims a CAQ specialty not visible in PA Verify — CAQs are listed in the NCCPA database if held
• Graduated from a non-ARC-PA-accredited PA program — only graduates of ARC-PA-accredited programs are eligible to sit for the PANCE (entry certification exam)
• Cannot provide NCCPA certification number when asked

Verification checklist