Physician Assistant Program in Texas - TX

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 24 2010

Students will have to complete physician assistant programs in Texas or those accredited programs offered online in order to become licensed.  All physician assistants wishing to practice must become licensed in the state in which they wish to practice in.

In order to become licensed and obtain national certification as a physician assistant in Texas, you must meet the eligibility requirements set by the Texas Physician Assistant Board:

• Complete a physician assistant education program or surgeon assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program. 
• Pass the PANCE exam within six attempts.
• Receive NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants) Certification.
• Be of good moral and professional character. 
• Be mentally and physically able to safely function as a physician assistant.
• Pass the Texas state jurisprudence examination. 
• Undergo a DPS background check.

Texas Continuing Education Requirements for Physician Assistants

Physician assistants in Texas must annually register their license with the Texas Physician Assistant Board.  They must also complete the required 40 hours of continuing medical education.  At least 20 hours of these must be Category I.  If a physician assistant completes more than 40 hours, up to 80 total hours can be carried forward (40 in Category I and 40 in Category II) for up to two years. 

In order to maintain national certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants as a physician assistant, a recertification exam must be completed every six years and 50 hours of continuing education completed annually.  However, recertification of national credentials is not required to renew a license in Texas.