Media Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Alicia Quella, Director of Communications and PA Relations
email: [email protected]
phone: 470-682-5111
website: nccpa.net
New NCCPA Report Highlights Growth, Readiness and Impact of Recently Board Certified PAs
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — October 28, 2025 — The National Commission on Certification of PAs (NCCPA) has released its 2024 Statistical Profile of Recently Board Certified PAs, revealing a record-setting year for the profession and underscoring the readiness of new PAs entering the workforce.
In 2024, 12,400 PAs earned their Board Certification for the first time — a nearly 25% increase from 2020.
The report shows that:
- 94% of newly Board Certified PAs felt prepared to begin their careers.
- 78% received multiple job offers.
- The average job search lasted just 2.6 months.
“This report offers a comprehensive analysis of recently Board Certified PAs and presents a narrative of growth and opportunity,” said NCCPA President and CEO Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed.D., PA-C, ICE-CCP, FACHE. “The data demonstrates how the PA profession is not only expanding but is also directly meeting the nation’s evolving health care needs.”
The report highlights how new PAs are helping to close care gaps in underserved areas. Among those who accepted positions in rural settings, 32% had grown up in rural communities. Similarly, 26% of PAs practicing in urban medically underserved areas had personal connections to those communities.
“Employers are actively seeking PA talent, highlighting the critical role PAs play in collaborative team-based care,” Morton-Rias said.
In addition to clinical practice, PAs contribute significantly to PA education. The predominant positions within PA programs include adjunct (37%), didactic (26%), and clinical (17%) faculty. Notably, 81% of those employed in PA programs continue to practice clinically, and 87% report being satisfied with their roles.
“This report helps us better understand the PA workforce and opportunities for future growth,” Morton-Rias said. “To the newly Board Certified PAs, we wish you all the best as you embark on an exciting and fulfilling career.”
The full report is available at NCCPA.net.
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About the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA):
The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is the only certifying organization for more than 189,907 PAs in the U.S. The PA-C credential is awarded by NCCPA to PAs who fulfill certification, certification maintenance and recertification requirements. Board Certified PAs participate in accredited continuing medical education in core medical knowledge and specialty practice disciplines. NCCPA also administers the Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) program for experienced, Board Certified PAs practicing in 11 specialties (+1 pending in Geriatrics). For more information, visit https://www.nccpa.net.