Physician associate
Physician associate
Physician associate
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.
Read AAPA Position Statement: View official stance on PAs as abortion providers
Scope of Practice & Legal Landscape
Scope of Practice & Legal Landscape
Scope of Practice & Legal Landscape
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?
Can PAs legally perform abortion care in your state of residence or training?
Can PAs legally perform abortion care in your state of residence or training?
Are there limitations—procedural, medication abortion, telehealth, or early pregnancy loss?
Are there limitations—procedural, medication abortion, telehealth, or early pregnancy loss?
Are there limitations—procedural, medication abortion, telehealth, or early pregnancy loss?
What supervision or collaboration requirements apply to abortion provision?
What supervision or collaboration requirements apply to abortion provision?
What supervision or collaboration requirements apply to abortion provision?
Check your state’s abortion-related PA scope laws →
Pro tip: If considering the National Health Service Corps, note these programs require several years of primary care service after graduation.
Education & Preparation
Education & Preparation
Education & Preparation
Degree: Master’s-level PA programs (typically 24–36 months).
Degree: Master’s-level PA programs (typically 24–36 months).
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.
Undergraduate Requirements: Most PA programs require a bachelor’s degree and prerequisite coursework such as Biology, Anatomy, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Statistics.
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.
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.
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)
Ask upfront about:
Clinical placement support and preceptor availability
Hidden costs (e.g., board review fees, travel for clinical sites)
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.
List of PA programs and their admission requirements.
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).
Costs & Funding:
Average cost: $90,000–$120,000 total tuition.
Explore fellowships, scholarships, and loan repayment programs (e.g., NHSC).
Costs & Funding:
Average cost: $90,000–$120,000 total tuition.
Explore fellowships, scholarships, and loan repayment programs (e.g., NHSC).
Is abortion content integrated into the curriculum or electives?
Is abortion content integrated into the curriculum or electives?
Is abortion content integrated into the curriculum or electives?
Does the didactic portion cover sexual and reproductive health?
Does the didactic portion cover sexual and reproductive health?
Does the didactic portion cover sexual and reproductive health?
Are there clinical sites providing abortion care exposure?
Are there clinical sites providing abortion care exposure?
Are there clinical sites providing abortion care exposure?
What are policies around choosing clinical rotations that include abortion?
What are policies around choosing clinical rotations that include abortion?
What are policies around choosing clinical rotations that include abortion?
Are faculty or preceptors supportive of abortion care training?
Are faculty or preceptors supportive of abortion care training?
Are faculty or preceptors supportive of abortion care training?
Experience & Exposure
Experience & Exposure
Experience & Exposure
Build foundational experience and understanding of abortion care before or during training:
Volunteer or work in a family planning or abortion clinic.
Volunteer or work in a family planning or abortion clinic.
Volunteer or work in a family planning or abortion clinic.
Serve as a clinic escort to learn about patient support and protester interactions.
Serve as a clinic escort to learn about patient support and protester interactions.
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.
Participate in public webinars, workshops, and values clarification sessions through reproductive advocacy groups.
Participate in public webinars, workshops, and values clarification sessions through reproductive advocacy groups.
Follow Physician Assistants for Reproductive Health (PARH) for educational opportunities.
Follow Physician Assistants for Reproductive Health (PARH) for educational opportunities.
Follow Physician Assistants for Reproductive Health (PARH) for educational opportunities.
Pro 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.
