Full Applications for Physician Assistants

Most physician assistants who wish to practice medicine in North Carolina obtain a full medical license. There are multiple license applications to choose from, depending on the individual applicant’s circumstances.

To avoid delays, please take the time to read each license application description to ensure you select the correct application type for you.

Begin the licensure process by setting up an account in the licensure gateway. From there, you can submit an application and also check the status of the review process.

Applications, documentation supporting licensure, and the application fee are good for one year. Once an application has expired, the applicant must reapply. Please allow four months for licensure.

Most Frequently Used Applications

Physician Assistant Full License Application

90% of PAs apply using this license type.

• NOT appropriate for any PA applicant with a completed FCVS profile. These applicants should use the full license application WITH FCVS (immediately below).
• Applicants must first establish an account using the Licensure Gateway.
• Before you begin the application process, click to review the application checklist.

Physician Assistant Full License Application using FCVS

• Applicants should NOT submit this application until their FCVS profile is complete.
• May be used by any other PA applicants, though applicants who do not have a completed FCVS profile will find that this pathway takes significantly longer than the non-FCVS application (above).
• Before you begin the application process, click to review the application checklist.

Less Commonly Used Applications

Physician Assistant Full License Application – Expedited Requirements

About 10 percent of all PA applicants qualify for this license application

• Available ONLY to PA applicants who meet strict eligibility requirements.
• This application has fewer requirements than other full license applications but does not necessarily have a shortened time frame.
• Applications from PAs who do not meet the eligibility requirements will be directed to reapply using the correct application type, which will delay the licensure process.
• Before you begin the application process, click to review the application checklist.

Physician Assistant Military Relocation License

• This application is available to PAs who are military service members or the spouse of a military service member who is relocating to North Carolina on military orders. View the eligibility requirements.
• License is time-limited to the dates specified on the military orders.
• The licensee is required to notify the Board when the military orders locating them in North Carolina have ended.
• Before you begin the application process, click to review the application checklist.

Reactivation of Physician Assistant License

• Physician Assistants previously licensed in NC but have had the license made inactive within the past calendar year. NOTE: If the license was made inactive more than one year ago OR as a result of disciplinary action, the applicant MUST use the reinstatement application immediately below.
• Before you begin the application process, click to review the application checklist.

Reinstatement of Physician Assistant License

• Physician Assistants previously licensed in NC who have been inactive for more than one year must submit this application OR were made inactive as a result of disciplinary action must submit this application.
• Before you begin the application process, click to review the application checklist.