On April 4, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed into law a bill that included a variety of healthcare provisions, including changing the title of “physician assistants” to “physician associates.” The new law became effective on June 6, 2024. See this page on Oregon.gov for more information.

While this is a significant and exciting milestone, it does not immediately authorize Oregon PAs, PA students, or these individuals in any jurisdiction to begin using the title “physician associate.”  The Oregon Medical Board will need to establish regulations and guidance before use of this title can begin. A timeline will be established that PAs and PA students should follow. When available, that guidance will be updated on this page.

Since Oregon’s law is only applicable to students in PA programs and PAs licensed and practicing in that state, PAs and PA students must comply with applicable state laws and policies in the states where they practice.

Please contact [email protected] with questions.

As the healthcare environment has evolved to meet the changing needs of patients, title change has been a subject of discussion within the PA profession. There has been long-standing concern that the professional title does not reflect the important role of PAs in delivering high-quality healthcare to patients.

The May 2021 decision by AAPA’s House of Delegates (HOD) to change the profession’s title was the result of a methodical process that unfolded over the course of three years and was informed by rigorous and substantial research by independent experts.

Excellent healthcare starts with a human connection and strong personal relationships. PAs are rigorously educated clinicians who are dedicated to providing quality patient care; they understand that trust and connection begin with each initial patient encounter. The new title – physician associate – directly addresses the common misperception that PAs merely “assist” physicians. They do so much more!

As highly respected medical professionals, PAs have an essential role in delivering high-quality, team-based healthcare. It is in the best interests of patients and the healthcare system for PAs to hold a professional title that ensures patient confidence and clarity about their work.

No. Changing the profession’s title does not change what PAs do or impact a PA’s scope of practice. PAs know what their scope of practice is; they are educated to recognize when circumstances call for consultation, collaboration, and/or referral.

PA scope of practice should be based on the PA’s medical education, training, experience, and competencies. In addition, a PA’s scope of practice is determined by state laws and regulations, employer facilities policies, and the immediate needs of the patients served by the practice.

It doesn’t. As they have for more than 50 years, PAs will continue to be united with their healthcare colleagues by the shared mission of providing safe, effective, high-quality care to all patients. This commitment to a team-based model can only benefit patients when each team member’s experience and expertise is fully engaged and utilized. When PAs are empowered to practice medicine to the full extent of their medical education, training, and experience, communities see increased access to care, improved health outcomes, and overall well-being. AAPA remains dedicated to advocacy efforts aimed at reducing state and federal practice barriers affecting PAs and their patients.

States are encouraged to follow AAPA’s Title Change Model State Legislation (Model) as it has been carefully and thoughtfully developed with the guidance and expertise of AAPA’s legal counsel. It is specifically designed to achieve regulatory efficiency and promote consistency across state lines while simultaneously assuring that other facets of this issue such as title protection are appropriately addressed within the subsequent law(s) or regulation(s) a state may enact or adopt.

AAPA has great respect for each jurisdiction’s unique, local realities and legislative and regulatory processes. As such, AAPA understands that the enactment of the Model as written may not always be feasible. Constituent organization leaders, in collaboration with their lobbyist(s) and AAPA state advocacy liaisons, can craft language to address these specific needs while using the Model as their guide to achieve title change.

Title change legislation is just one of many legislative priorities that will advance the PA profession. Additional state advocacy initiatives to modernize PA practice will continue as determined by PA state chapters in consultation with the AAPA advocacy team.

AAPA will continue to work with each state chapter to pursue professional title change in state legislatures. To stay up to date on your jurisdiction’s efforts, PAs are encouraged to join and remain active in the PA chapters for the state(s)/territories in which they practice.

AAPA has prepared a Constituent Organization Name Change Considerations Checklist as a resource for COs changing their organizational name as well as pursuing professional title change in their state.

AAPA is using the physician associate title throughout our assets and digital properties. Given the number of platforms and assets to be updated, the variety of audiences they reach, as well as legal considerations, it is expected that both terms (physician assistant and physician associate) will be used on the website for the next several years.