The application process will take roughly four months. Processing time will take longer during the months of February through August, due to the increased number of residents and relocating physicians. We recommend you allow four to six months of total processing time if you wish to be granted a license during these months.
All physician assistants must receive a license from the Board prior to practicing medicine in NC. There are several pathways to licensure. Click ālearn moreā to access applications and to determine which pathway best suits your needs before applying.
Application for a full PA license
This application is the most widely used pathway for obtaining a license to practice medicine in North Carolina.
āWho should complete this application?
Physician assistants who DO NOT have a completed FCVS profile.
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Am I eligible for licensure in North Carolina?
Detailed eligibility requirements for licensure are listed in each application checklist located in the Downloads section to the right.
Please note:
1. NCMB requires applicants for licensure to submit to a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.
2. NCMB will review all relevant information when processing a license application and making a determination on licensure. As part of the NCMBās review, it considers criminal convictions. When considering criminal convictions, the NCMB shall consider all the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. Ā§ 93B-8.1(b1). Below is a link to N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 93B Occupational Licensing Boards where you can review the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. Ā§ 93B-8.1(b1).
3. If NCMB denies an application in whole or in part because of a criminal conviction or otherwise, there is an appeals process that the applicant can pursue through N.C. Gen. Stat Ā§ 90-14.1. Review the appeals process in N.C. Gen. Stat Ā§ 90-14.1.
Learn more about licensing: rules and statutes.
The NCMB only accepts applications submitted online. Applicants are required to submit certain paper documents to supplement their online application. These are outlined in the application checklists. Failure to submit all required information may result in processing delays.
Application credentials and fee are good for one year. If the applicant is not issued a license within the year and chooses to reapply, he or she will be required to resubmit all application credentials and an additional application fee. A current license application fee schedule is located in the downloads section.
Click here for additional physician assistant resources.
Renewal requirements
NC law requires licensed physician assistants to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year. A renewal fee is required. Please note that a licenseeās first renewal is due within 30 days of their NEXT birthday, even if it occurs shortly after the date the professional license is issued. License application fees do NOT count towards the first renewal fee.
Learn more about renewals here.
Application for a full PA license using FCVS
What is FCVS?
The Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) is the nationās most comprehensive system of verifying and storing credentials. FCVS provides a uniform process for state medical boards to obtain a verified, primary source record of a physician assistantās core medical credentials.
Establishing an FCVS profile takes several months. Applicants are encouraged to complete their FCVS applications six months before they need their FCVS profile submitted to the state medical board for licensure.
āWho should complete this application?
Physician assistant applicants who have a completed FCVS profile must use this application.
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Click the āOnline Applicationā button at right. Applicants may be required to submit certain paper documents to supplement the online application. The NCMB only accepts applications submitted online.
Renewal requirements
NC law requires licensed physicians to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year. A renewal fee is required. Please note that a licenseeās first renewal is due within 30 days of their NEXT birthday, even if it occurs shortly after the date the professional license is issued. License application fees do NOT count towards the first renewal fee.
Am I eligible for licensure in North Carolina?
The Application Checklist (download, at right) outlines the necessary requirements for licensure. Failure to submit required information may result in delays.
Please Be Aware
1. NCMB requires applicants for licensure to submit to a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.
2. NCMB will review all relevant information when processing a license application and making a determination on licensure. As part of the NCMBās review, it considers criminal convictions. When considering criminal convictions, the NCMB shall consider all the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. Ā§ 93B-8.1(b1). Below is a link to N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 93B Occupational Licensing Boards where you can review the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. Ā§ 93B-8.1(b1).
3. If NCMB denies an application in whole or in part because of a criminal conviction or otherwise, there is an appeals process that the applicant can pursue through N.C. Gen. Stat Ā§ 90-14.1. Review the appeals process in N.C. Gen. Stat Ā§ 90-14.1.
Learn more about licensing: rules and statutes.
Application credentials and fee are good for one year. If the applicant is not issued a license within the year and chooses to reapply, he or she will be required to resubmit all application credentials and an additional application fee. Click here to access the current license application fee schedule.
Application for a full PA license (expedited)
āWho should complete this application?
Only those physician assistants who meet specific criteria may complete the expedited license application. A physician assistant must meet ALL FOUR of the requirements outlined below to apply.
1. Currently certified by NCCPA;
2. Currently holds a full unrestricted active license in one other state, or the District of Columbia, or a U.S. Territory or Canadian province for the previous five years immediately preceding the application;
3. Have been active in clinical practice providing patient care for an average of 20 hours or more per week for the last two years;
4. Have a clean license application (Click āShow Moreā for details)
If the Board determines, upon receipt of the application, that the applicant does not qualify, the applicant will need to notify the Board in writing requesting withdrawal of the application and a refund if payment was made.
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Click the āOnline Applicationā button at right. Applicants may be required to submit certain paper documents to supplement the online application. The NCMB only accepts applications submitted on line.
Please view the checklist at right. It is designed to help you manage application requirements.
Renewal requirements
NC law requires licensed physician assistants to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year. A renewal fee is required. Please note that a licenseeās first renewal is due within 30 days of their NEXT birthday, even if it occurs shortly after the date the professional license is issued. License application fees do NOT count towards the first renewal fee.
Am I eligible for licensure in North Carolina?
The Application Checklist (download, at right) outlines the necessary requirements for licensure. If you do not meet ALL FOUR of the requirements stated in the āWho Should Completeā for the expedited license application, you are not eligible and must complete the full license for physician assistantās application.
Please Be Aware
1. NCMB requires applicants for licensure to submit to a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.
2. NCMB will review all relevant information when processing a license application and making a determination on licensure. As part of the NCMBās review, it considers criminal convictions. When considering criminal convictions, the NCMB shall consider all the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. Ā§ 93B-8.1(b1). Below is a link to N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 93B Occupational Licensing Boards where you can review the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. Ā§ 93B-8.1(b1).
3. If NCMB denies an application in whole or in part because of a criminal conviction or otherwise, there is an appeals process that the applicant can pursue through N.C. Gen. Stat Ā§ 90-14.1. Review the appeals process in N.C. Gen. Stat Ā§ 90-14.1.
Learn more about licensing: rules and statutes.
Application credentials and fee are good for one year. If the applicant is not issued a license within the year and chooses to reapply, he or she will be required to resubmit all application credentials and an additional application fee. Click here to access the current license application fee schedule.
Application for a PA military relocation license
āWho should complete this application?
Physician assistant military service members or the spouse of a military service member that is relocating to North Carolina on military orders.
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Am I eligible for licensure in North Carolina?
Specific eligibility requirements for a military relocation license are listed in the downloads section.
Learn more about licensing: rules and statutes.
The NCMB only accepts applications submitted online. Applicants are required to submit certain paper documents to supplement their online application. These are outlined in the application checklists. Failure to submit all required information may result in processing delays.
Application credentials and fee are good for one year. If the applicant is not issued a license within the year and chooses to reapply, he or she will be required to resubmit all application credentials and an additional application fee. A current license application fee schedule is located in the downloads section.
Click here for additional physician assistant resources.
Renewal requirements
NC law requires licensed physician assistants to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year. A renewal fee is required. Please note that a licenseeās first renewal is due within 30 days of their NEXT birthday, even if it occurs shortly after the date the professional license is issued. License application fees do NOT count towards the first renewal fee.
Learn more about renewals here.
Application for a Reactivation of PA license
āWho should complete this application?
Physician Assistants are eligible to reactivate their license if they have had a license in NC, the license has been placed on inactive status within the past calendar year, and the inactive status is not a result of disciplinary action.
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Click on the āOnline Applicationā button at right. Applicants are required to submit certain paper documents to supplement the online application. The NCMB only accepts applications submitted online.
Intent to Practice
PA Applicants must complete their application and have been issued a PA license to practice in North Carolina before they can complete the PA Intent to Practice form.
Renewal requirements
NC law requires licensed physician assistants to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year. A renewal fee is required. Please note that a licenseeās first renewal is due within 30 days of their NEXT birthday, even if it occurs shortly after the date the professional license is issued. License application fees do NOT count towards the first renewal fee.
Am I eligible for licensure in North Carolina?
The Application Checklist (download, at right) outlines the necessary requirements for licensure. Failure to submit required information may result in delays.
Please Be Aware
1. NCMB requires applicants for licensure to submit to a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.
2. NCMB will review all relevant information when processing a license application and making a determination on licensure. As part of the NCMBās review, it considers criminal convictions. When considering criminal convictions, the NCMB shall consider all the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. Ā§ 93B-8.1(b1). Below is a link to N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 93B Occupational Licensing Boards where you can review the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. Ā§ 93B-8.1(b1).
3. If NCMB denies an application in whole or in part because of a criminal conviction or otherwise, there is an appeals process that the applicant can pursue through N.C. Gen. Stat Ā§ 90-14.1. Review the appeals process in N.C. Gen. Stat Ā§ 90-14.1.
Learn more about licensing: rules and statutes.
Application credentials and fee are good for one year. If the applicant is not issued a license within the year and chooses to reapply, he or she will be required to resubmit all application credentials and an additional application fee. Click here to access the current license application fee schedule.
Application for a Reinstatement of PA License
āWho should complete this application?
Physician Assistants are eligible to reinstate their license if their license has been inactive more than one calendar year and/or the license has been inactive as a result of disciplinary action.
Show Moreā
Click on the āOnline Applicationā button at right. Applicants are required to submit certain paper documents to supplement the online application. The NCMB only accepts applications submitted online.
Intent to Practice
PA applicants must complete their application and have been issued a PA license to practice in North Carolina before they can complete the PA Intent to Practice Form.
Renewal requirements
NC law requires licensed physician assistants to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year. A renewal fee is required. Please note that a licenseeās first renewal is due within 30 days of their NEXT birthday, even if it occurs shortly after the date the professional license is issued. License application fees do NOT count towards the first renewal fee.
Am I eligible for licensure in North Carolina?
The Application Checklist (download, at right) outlines the necessary requirements for licensure. Failure to submit required information may result in delays.
Please Be Aware
1. NCMB requires applicants for licensure to submit to a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.
2. NCMB will review all relevant information when processing a license application and making a determination on licensure. As part of the NCMBās review, it considers criminal convictions. When considering criminal convictions, the NCMB shall consider all the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. Ā§ 93B-8.1(b1). Below is a link to N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 93B Occupational Licensing Boards where you can review the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. Ā§ 93B-8.1(b1).
3. If NCMB denies an application in whole or in part because of a criminal conviction or otherwise, there is an appeals process that the applicant can pursue through N.C. Gen. Stat Ā§ 90-14.1. Review the appeals process in N.C. Gen. Stat Ā§ 90-14.1.
Learn more about licensing: rules and statutes.
Application credentials and fee are good for one year. If the applicant is not issued a license within the year and chooses to reapply, he or she will be required to resubmit all application credentials and an additional application fee. Click here to access the current license application fee schedule.