What to Do After PA School Graduation

It's tempting to think that once you graduate, all you have to do is pass the PANCE and the rest is self-explanatory. Unfortunately, it isn't. Your program understandably focuses on the PANCE, since schools are ranked on pass rates, but that's just the start of your career. Several more steps follow, and many aren't straightforward.

First, make sure you have plenty of money saved, because the process from graduation to practice can cost up to $2,000. Save all your receipts so you can submit them for a potential refund from your new employer, which is something to raise during contract negotiation. Any money you saved that you don't end up needing can go straight toward your student loans.

After you pass the PANCE, apply for your PA license in the state where you'll practice. Each state has its own website, process, cost, and timeline, so research yours ahead of time and have a game plan ready. Don't wait for your results to start preparing. In Colorado, the cost was under $300 with about a 3-week wait, but other states run higher and slower. Ideally, submit your application the same day you get passing results, then celebrate that evening.

Once you have your PA license, apply for your DEA license and your NPI, which you can do at the same time. The NPI is free with a turnaround of a week or less. The DEA is not: it costs about $731 and takes 1-2 weeks for approval. It's a great one to have your employer refund. Even if an employer doesn't initially require a DEA, I recommend getting one, since prescribing controlled substances is within PA scope and not having it can be a negative later.

If you're in an office-based private practice, your licensing journey may end there and you can start practicing. But if you'll have any hospital involvement, whether in the ER, as a specialist consultant, or as a surgical PA, you'll need to get credentialed at each hospital. Brace yourself, because credentialing often takes around 3 months and involves a lot of paperwork and back-and-forth with the credentialing department.

To speed it up, have key documents ready ahead of time:

Your new PA license

Resume or CV

Vaccinations, including an updated PPD

Passport or birth certificate

Undergrad and PA degrees

A reference list

You won't be able to set foot in the hospital or OR until credentialing is complete, though you may be able to shadow in an office setting in the meantime.

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The stretch between graduation and your first day of practice is full of paperwork, fees, and waiting, but planning ahead keeps it from derailing your start date or your savings. Stay organized for a couple more months and you'll be a practicing PA-C before you know it. For more on contracts, specialties, and what to do with that first paycheck, explore our resources on life after PA school.