PA
Physician Associates (PAs) bring crucial hands-on expertise and collaborative strength to abortion care teams. With growing recognition of PAs’ role in sexual and reproductive health, opportunities exist to integrate abortion training during or after PA school.
Overview & Expectations
Scope and legal authority vary by state. Before or during PA school, research:
Can PAs legally perform abortion care in your state of residence or training?
Are there limitations—procedural, medication abortion, telehealth, or early pregnancy loss?
What supervision or collaboration requirements apply to abortion provision?
Scope and legal authority vary by state. Before or during PA school, research:
Can PAs legally perform abortion care in your state of residence or training?
Are there limitations—procedural, medication abortion, telehealth, or early pregnancy loss?
What supervision or collaboration requirements apply to abortion provision?
Degree: Master’s-level PA programs (typically 24–36 months).
Undergraduate Requirements: Most PA programs require a bachelor’s degree and prerequisite coursework such as Biology, Anatomy, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Statistics.
Healthcare Experience (prior to application): Many programs require 1,000+ hours of direct patient care in roles like MA, EMT, paramedic, phlebotomist, RN, ER tech, surgical tech, ultrasound tech, home health care aide, medical scribe, or CNA.
Ask upfront about:
Clinical placement support and preceptor availability
Hidden costs (e.g., board review fees, travel for clinical sites)
List of PA programs and their admission requirements.
Costs & Funding:
Average cost: $90,000–$120,000 total tuition.
Explore fellowships, scholarships, and loan repayment programs (e.g., NHSC).
Investigate loan repayment and scholarship options by state and local governments.
Is abortion content integrated into the curriculum or electives?
Does the didactic portion cover sexual and reproductive health?
Are there clinical sites providing abortion care exposure?
What are policies around choosing clinical rotations that include abortion?
Are faculty or preceptors supportive of abortion care training?
Degree: Master’s-level PA programs (typically 24–36 months).
Undergraduate Requirements: Most PA programs require a bachelor’s degree and prerequisite coursework such as Biology, Anatomy, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Statistics.
Healthcare Experience (prior to application): Many programs require 1,000+ hours of direct patient care in roles like MA, EMT, paramedic, phlebotomist, RN, ER tech, surgical tech, ultrasound tech, home health care aide, medical scribe, or CNA.
Ask upfront about:
Clinical placement support and preceptor availability
Hidden costs (e.g., board review fees, travel for clinical sites)
List of PA programs and their admission requirements.
Costs & Funding:
Average cost: $90,000–$120,000 total tuition.
Explore fellowships, scholarships, and loan repayment programs (e.g., NHSC).
Investigate loan repayment and scholarship options by state and local governments.
Is abortion content integrated into the curriculum or electives?
Does the didactic portion cover sexual and reproductive health?
Are there clinical sites providing abortion care exposure?
What are policies around choosing clinical rotations that include abortion?
Are faculty or preceptors supportive of abortion care training?
Build foundational experience and understanding of abortion care before or during training:
Volunteer or work in a family planning or abortion clinic.
Serve as a clinic escort to learn about patient support and protester interactions.
Participate in public webinars, workshops, and values clarification sessions through reproductive advocacy groups.
Follow Association of Physician Associates in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG) for educational opportunities.
Tip: If working in healthcare prior to PA school, roles in abortion or family planning settings (MA, RN, EMT, or tech) can strengthen your patient-care and advocacy skills.
Tip: If you’re considering National Health Service Corps programs, remember these typically require a multi-year, primary-care service commitment.
Build foundational experience and understanding of abortion care before or during training:
Volunteer or work in a family planning or abortion clinic.
Serve as a clinic escort to learn about patient support and protester interactions.
Participate in public webinars, workshops, and values clarification sessions through reproductive advocacy groups.
Follow Association of Physician Associates in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG) for educational opportunities.
Tip: If working in healthcare prior to PA school, roles in abortion or family planning settings (MA, RN, EMT, or tech) can strengthen your patient-care and advocacy skills.
Tip: If you’re considering National Health Service Corps programs, remember these typically require a multi-year, primary-care service commitment.
Cultivate Awareness
Take electives in public health, reproductive rights, and bioethics.
Attend state or national conferences on reproductive care and health equity.
Engage in discussions on Reproductive Justice and the social determinants of reproductive health.
Attend community reproductive justice events or webinars at Black Women for Wellness, Sister Song, Sister Reach, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Sister Love inc..
Take electives in public health, reproductive rights, and bioethics.
Attend state or national conferences on reproductive care and health equity.
Engage in discussions on Reproductive Justice and the social determinants of reproductive health.
Attend community reproductive justice events or webinars at Black Women for Wellness, Sister Song, Sister Reach, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Sister Love inc..
Follow Association of Physician Associates in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG) for educational opportunities.
Volunteer with local abortion funds or SRH clinics.
Host reproductive health speakers or panels at your PA program.
Participate in values clarification workshops to strengthen patient-centered empathy.
Follow Association of Physician Associates in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG) for educational opportunities.
Volunteer with local abortion funds or SRH clinics.
Host reproductive health speakers or panels at your PA program.
Participate in values clarification workshops to strengthen patient-centered empathy.
Root in Community
Seek out family planning, OB-GYN, or primary care rotations that include abortion care exposure.
Partner with organizations such as ReproTLC to access reproductive health clinical electives.
Learn about trauma-informed care and intersectionality in patient experiences.
Seek out family planning, OB-GYN, or primary care rotations that include abortion care exposure.
Partner with organizations such as ReproTLC to access reproductive health clinical electives.
Learn about trauma-informed care and intersectionality in patient experiences.
Attend continuing education events through Association of Physician Associates in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG) or Reproductive Health Access Project (RHAP).
Coordinate papaya/dragon fruit or MUA workshops at your PA or affiliated medical school.
Attend continuing education events through Association of Physician Associates in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG) or Reproductive Health Access Project (RHAP).
Coordinate papaya/dragon fruit or MUA workshops at your PA or affiliated medical school.
Grow Through Training
Pursue post-master’s certificates or continuing education programs in SRH or women’s health at MARCH program at the University of Maryland and ARISE Rutgers ECHO.
Apply to Repro TLC or RHEDI-affiliated training sites for procedural or medication abortion training (where legally permitted).
Complete CME and continuing education via TEACH’s Abortion Training Curriculum and Innovating Education in Reproductive Health.
Identify supportive supervising physicians and clinical environments where abortion care can be integrated.
Apply to training and leadership opportunities such as Repro TLC hands-on training or TEACH APC Leadership Fellowship
For a detailed list of resources, see the Websites for Providers and Learners page.
Pursue post-master’s certificates or continuing education programs in SRH or women’s health at MARCH program at the University of Maryland and ARISE Rutgers ECHO.
Apply to Repro TLC or RHEDI-affiliated training sites for procedural or medication abortion training (where legally permitted).
Complete CME and continuing education via TEACH’s Abortion Training Curriculum and Innovating Education in Reproductive Health.
Identify supportive supervising physicians and clinical environments where abortion care can be integrated.
Apply to training and leadership opportunities such as Repro TLC hands-on training or TEACH APC Leadership Fellowship
For a detailed list of resources, see the Websites for Providers and Learners page.
Flourish in Practice
Even after PA school, it’s never too late to get trained or re-trained. Fracticing physician associates can gain abortion skills later in their careers — often to serve under-resourced areas.
Join community clinics or telemedicine platforms offering medication abortion.
Advocate for PA scope-of-practice expansion and reproductive autonomy at state and national levels.
Mentor students and peers interested in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Reproductive Justice (RJ).
Educate staff on trauma-informed abortion care best practices.
Even after PA school, it’s never too late to get trained or re-trained. Fracticing physician associates can gain abortion skills later in their careers — often to serve under-resourced areas.
Join community clinics or telemedicine platforms offering medication abortion.
Advocate for PA scope-of-practice expansion and reproductive autonomy at state and national levels.
Mentor students and peers interested in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Reproductive Justice (RJ).
Educate staff on trauma-informed abortion care best practices.
Employment at Planned Parenthood (note: training and procedural options vary by affiliate).
Work at independent abortion clinics or integrated OB-GYN practices.
Apply for TEACH, Repro TLC, or other Planned Parenthood APC-focused fellowships.
Integrate abortion into your practice—bringing abortion and early pregnancy loss care to your patient population regardless of specialty. Resources and support for health centers are available.
Employment at Planned Parenthood (note: training and procedural options vary by affiliate).
Work at independent abortion clinics or integrated OB-GYN practices.
Apply for TEACH, Repro TLC, or other Planned Parenthood APC-focused fellowships.
Integrate abortion into your practice—bringing abortion and early pregnancy loss care to your patient population regardless of specialty. Resources and support for health centers are available.
Lead & Advocate
Connect with your state PA association or California Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA) and join a committee to advance reproductive justice initiatives.
Collaborate with Clinicians in Abortion Care (CIAC) and CAPA chapters to share insights and mentor others.
Contribute to policy, research, or advocacy promoting reproductive freedom and access.
Connect with your state PA association or California Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA) and join a committee to advance reproductive justice initiatives.
Collaborate with Clinicians in Abortion Care (CIAC) and CAPA chapters to share insights and mentor others.
Contribute to policy, research, or advocacy promoting reproductive freedom and access.
Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health (NSRH) and National Abortion Federation (NAF) cross-disciplinary events
Attend webinars, sign up for newsletters, join regional reproductive health clusters, and participate in CME sessions on SRH and abortion care.
Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health (NSRH) and National Abortion Federation (NAF) cross-disciplinary events
Attend webinars, sign up for newsletters, join regional reproductive health clusters, and participate in CME sessions on SRH and abortion care.
Ask When Evaluating Program:
Is abortion content or exposure integrated in coursework?
Can I choose clinical sites that offer abortion care training?
Are preceptors supportive of abortion discussions?
What are my options for hands-on patient experience before and during school?
What advocacy or RJ organizations can I join now?
Enhance Your Learning
Peer Support: RHAP clusters & APAOG.
Policy & Advocacy: CAPA chapters, join your state chapter, and RJ group.
Ask When Evaluating Program:
Is abortion content or exposure integrated in coursework?
Can I choose clinical sites that offer abortion care training?
Are preceptors supportive of abortion discussions?
What are my options for hands-on patient experience before and during school?
What advocacy or RJ organizations can I join now?
Enhance Your Learning
Peer Support: RHAP clusters & APAOG.
Policy & Advocacy: CAPA chapters, join your state chapter, and RJ group.
Every healthcare provider plays a vital role in ensuring access for patients seeking reproductive health care.
TEACH cultivates the next generation of diverse reproductive health champions through abortion training, mentorship and curriculum innovation and advocacy.
TEACH
PO Box 720189
San Francisco, CA 94172
TEACH is fiscally sponsored by Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports small organizations like ours.
TIN: 95-4116679
© 2026 TEACH. All rights reserved.
Website by lover studio
TEACH cultivates the next generation of diverse reproductive health champions through abortion training, mentorship and curriculum development.
TEACH
PO Box 720189
San Francisco, CA 94172
TEACH is fiscally sponsored by Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports small organizations like ours.
TIN: 95-4116679
© 2026 TEACH. All rights reserved.
Website by lover studio
