PAs in jurisdictions that have enacted title change or title recognition legislation may use the title “physician associate” at their own discretion subject to the following:

• Follow applicable state laws and policies:
  • PAs are encouraged to review applicable state laws and regulations and/or consult with legal counsel before using the title “physician associate” in patient-facing, clinical settings.
  • PAs should also comply with all employer and healthcare facility policies, licensing board policies, third-party payor agreements, grant funding and contractual representations, malpractice insurance requirements, ethics standards, publisher expectations, and other legal obligations.
• Be aware of badging, identification, notification, and advertising requirements.

If you are a PA in the CNMI, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, or Wisconsin and have questions about using the updated title, please contact [email protected].

State chapters are encouraged to follow AAPA’s Title Change Model State Legislation (Model), as it was 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 recognition and compliance with federal laws, reimbursement policies, and other regulations that reference “physician assistants.”

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.

Some jurisdictions have enacted laws and/or adopted regulations recognizing the title “physician associate” as analogous to and having the same meaning as the title “physician assistant.” However, these jurisdictions have not enacted laws or adopted regulations to change the title of the profession throughout the entirety of their statutory or administrative compilations or to require agencies to update sub-regulatory guidance, documents, and forms to reflect “physician associate” as the primary title of the profession. AAPA does not have Title Recognition Model Legislation.

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 “assistant” does not reflect the important role of PAs in delivering high-quality healthcare to patients.
While title change does not impact a PA scope of practice, PA title change is a core modernization that AAPA is working to achieve as part of comprehensive efforts to establish optimal PA practice environments. A professional title that does not reflect the expertise and authorized duties of a PA has the protentional to misinform lawmakers about the PA role in healthcare and thwart efforts to modernize PA practice laws.

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.

WPP, a world-renowned research, branding, and communications company, was selected by AAPA to conduct the PA Title Change Investigation. Kantar Insights, WPP’s global research agency, completed two years of robust research including surveys of patients and healthcare providers. Of note, a survey of patients found that 71% of patients surveyed agreed that the title “physician associate” matches the job description of a PA.

Lawmaker understanding of the need for title change continues to build, as underscored by New Hampshire State Representative Erica Layon (R-Derry), who was part of a 2024 bipartisan study committee conducted prior to the state’s passage of the AAPA’s Title Change Model State Legislation.

“PAs play an important role in patient care, one which is not fully appreciated when PAs are referred to as physician assistants,” Rep. Layon stated in the study. “In New Hampshire, it is not uncommon to at times have a PA among the senior healthcare providers at a healthcare facility. I’m delighted that this important change has been signed into law.”

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.

The updated 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.

Patients deserve transparency when it comes to who is delivering their care. The term “assistant” suggests that the physician is leading care when in most cases it is the PA who is diagnosing, treating, and prescribing patient care.

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.

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.