This outlines the appropriate requirements for obtaining a Physician Assistant license without using FCVS. The Board reserves the right to make whatever additional demands on the applicant for licensure the Board deems appropriate at the time. Below is a summary of what is listed in the rules of Chapter 32 of the North Carolina Administrative Code.

Submit all materials to:
North Carolina Medical Board, PO Box 20007, Raleigh, NC 27619 (919.326.1100), or
North Carolina Medical Board, 1203 Front Street, Raleigh, NC 27609

Please do not submit photocopies or facsimilies unless specifically permitted.

Please note: You must complete your application and have been issued a PA license to practice in North Carolina before you can complete the PA Intent to practice form to the right.

1. Complete online application form. If you have problems downloading any forms while completing the online application you may print them by clicking on download PA forms in the list to the right.

2. One certified photograph: no smaller than 2 1/2 “ x 3 1/4”, head and shoulder’s shot, taken within the past sixty (60) days, of durable quality, (not a snapshot or home Polaroid) to be certified by your physician assistant program on the Physician Assistant Program Certification Form. This certification must bear the original signature of the Dean or other official of your program, their official title and the seal of the school must be placed over the photo and can be included with your application package. This requirement can not be waived.

3. Verification of NCCPA certification.

4. The applicant must secure a report from each state regarding status of physician assistant licenses now active and all licenses held previously. Most states charge a fee for this service and some organizations will not return the information to you. If you do not receive the requested information please contact the respective state board to check the status of your request.

5. Three current, original reference forms. Reference forms must include the original signature, date and contact information for the person completing the reference form. Reference forms must be dated within one year of the received date of the application at NCMB.

• The reference form must be an original with an original signature of the person completing the reference form, addressed to the NC Medical Board (not to “whom it may concern”)
• At least one reference form must be from a physician with whom you have worked or trained regarding your competence to practice as a PA. Two reference forms must be completed by peers (co-worker, professor, preceptor, physician) and must be someone with whom you have worked or trained.
• References must be able to evaluate your academic competence, clinical skills and character as a physician assistant.
• References cannot be from relatives or fellow students
• The reference forms must be sent from the reference sources directly to the NCMB in sealed envelopes with the source’s signature across the seal.

6. If it has been more than six months since you received your PA degree, you must request a Board Action Data Bank Inquiry from the Federation of State Medical Boards of the U.S.

7. Applicants must submit two completed fingerprint cards with the authority for release of information form for the purpose of conducting a criminal background check. Expect a minimum of eight weeks for the report to be received. since rejections are common, the SBI has suggested that applicants use lotion or witch hazel on their hands before being fingerprinted. Fingerprint cards are submitted for processing twice a week. The SBI suggests that using a live scan when available may be a more reliable choice. When possible have different officials complete each card. We cannot send your fingerprints out without the authority for release of information form. Request for fingerprint cards should be emailed to .

8. Continuing Medical Education. If you graduated from a PA program more than two years ago, you must submit documentation of at least 100 hours of CME earned in the last two years. If you have just graduated or it has been less than two years since you date of graduation, you are not required to submit any CME. It is preferred that you use the NCCPA CME summary log printed from their website bearing your name.

9. Applicants must submit a National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) and Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (HIPDB) report as part of their application.  The NPDB and HIPDB reports must be requested by the applicant and submitted to the Board within sixty (60) days of the request.  NPDB/HIPDB will send the reports to the PA and PA will need to forward the report to the NC Medical Board.

Registration: North Carolina Law requires licensed physician assistants to register with the Board within 30 days of their birth date every year no matter when the license is issued. A registration fee is required.