1. Home
  2. applicants
  3. online application instructions for licensure

Online Application Instructions for Licensure

Please review the Application Instructions and General Information (PDF) before completing the application.

  • The Physician Assistant Board (Board) will complete an initial review of the application and notify you of any application deficiencies a minimum of 30 days of receiving your application and fees for licensure. Updates will not be available until completion of the initial review.
  • Applications submitted without payment are considered incomplete and will not be processed.
  • Applications are reviewed in the order they are received.
  • Current PA students should submit their application no earlier than 45-60 days prior to graduation.
  • If supporting documentation is received without delay, licenses are typically issued 30-45 days after submission of the application and fees.

Your application will be submitted to the Board once the Attestation page is completed, and you will not be able to make changes to the application through BreEZe. If you need to update or correct any information, please email paboard@dca.ca.gov for assistance.

Requirements to Expedite the Application Review Process

The Board will expedite the application review process for applicants who meet one of the following criteria:

  • Active-duty military
  • Military veteran – honorably discharged
  • Active-duty military – spouses or partners
  • Refugee, asylee, or special immigrant visa holder
  • Intent to provide abortion services

Please review the requirements to determine if you qualify.

Fee Waiver for Applicants Meeting Expedited Licensure Requirements

In addition to expediting the licensure process, the Board will waive the application fee and initial licensure fee for an applicant who is married to, or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with an active-duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, who is applying for licensure in California and holds a current license in another state or territory. To qualify for the fee waiver individuals must include the following with their application for licensure:

  • A copy of the marriage certificate or certified declaration/registration of domestic partnership filed with the Secretary of State. For other forms of legal union not recognized by California, you may submit other documentary evidence issued by the state that recognizes your legal union for consideration by the Board in meeting this requirement.
  • A copy of your current physician assistant license.
  • A copy of the military order establishing duty station in California.

Documents to Support the Application

The following documents must be submitted to the Board to support the application:

  1. Physician Assistant Training Program Certification. This form is mandatory and cannot be substituted. Applicants are to complete Part A prior to submitting the form to the PA training program or education institution for completion. The PA training program or education institution is responsible for submitting the completed form directly to the Board by email or mail. Transcripts are not required and should not be requested or submitted to the Board.
  2. Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) Score. You are required to log into your National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) account and authorize the electronic release of your PANCE score. The Board does not require physician assistants to maintain NCCPA certification; therefore, licensing is based on a passing PANCE score. Do not authorize the release of a letter verifying certification or the PANRE score as they do not fulfill this requirement.
  3. National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Report. You are required to order a paper Self-Query report by visiting the NPDB’s website www.npdb.hrsa.gov/SQ. The report will be mailed directly to you within 7-10 business days. Do not open the report; mail the original, sealed report to the Physician Assistant Board, 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 2250, Sacramento, CA 95815. The Board will not accept reports submitted by fax, email, or attached to your online application. Please contact the NPDB directly for assistance if you experience issues when requesting or with receiving the report.
  4. Verification. Regardless of the status, individuals who have been licensed, certified, or otherwise registered in any state, country, and/or with any federal agency as a health care provider (e.g., PA, RN, EMT (state), EMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians), CNA, CPT, etc.) are required to request a verification. You are not required to use the Board’s Verification of Licensure form when requesting a verification as the Board accepts other agencies’ verification forms.
  5. Birth Month Licensure Request (PDF). This form should only be submitted if you would like to wait until your birth month to be licensed.

  6. Criminal History Background Check. Business and Professions Code section 144 requires applicants to complete a criminal history background check by submitting a full set of fingerprints and the fingerprint processing fees established by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). You are required to submit fingerprints for the Board to complete a criminal history background check, even if you were previously fingerprinted for another California employer or regulatory body.

    If living in, or visiting California, please fulfill this requirement by completing a Request for Live Scan Service form (PDF) before visiting an authorized Live Scan operator. Applicants are responsible for paying for all Live Scan fees at the time of service. The Board will not accept a Live Scan completed in another state. Typically, the results of the Live Scan are transmitted electronically to the Board within 1-3 business days.

    If you live outside of California and cannot access a Live Scan site in this state, you will need to complete your criminal history background check using the hard card fingerprint method.

    • Obtain two (2) fingerprint cards (FD-258) directly from your local law enforcement agency, authorized agency, or contact the Board by email at paboard@dca.ca.gov or call (916) 561-8780. When submitting requests by email, please include your name and address. Fingerprint cards are typically mailed within 1-3 business days.
    • Complete all areas on both cards as indicated in the example (PDF).
    • Visit a local law enforcement agency or agency authorized to provide fingerprint rolling services. The fingerprint impressions must be distinct from each other as the Department of Justice (DOJ) and/or Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may reject fingerprint cards containing identical impressions.
    • Mail the completed fingerprint cards to the Board for processing. Do not fold the cards.
    • If the fingerprint card processing fee was not paid when applying for licensure, please a include check, cashier’s check, or money order payable to the Physician Assistant Board for $49.
    • Mail completed fingerprint cards to the Physician Assistant Board for processing:

      Physician Assistant Board
      2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 2250
      Sacramento, CA 95815

      Fingerprint cards are submitted on a weekly basis to the DOJ/FBI for processing. The results of your background check are electronically transmitted to the Board within 2-4 weeks.

You are personally responsible for all information disclosed on your application, including any responses completed on your behalf. An application may be denied based upon falsification or misrepresentation of any item or response on the application or any attachment.

Continue to BreEZe Online Services