Steps to a Michigan PA License

Soooo, here it is already.....past the halfway point of your final year as a PA student.....time to get ready to get a job.....and to get a job you need a.............License! Hmmmm, I know I heard something about that way back in Fall of my first year in the Professional Issues course - if I could only remember!!! If I could only find my notes!!!! If only.......

Not to worry. Here it is, all laid out step by step.

First, remember what you need to get a license (from the state of Michigan - that's what let's you practice)- graduation from an accredited PA program (that's us), and a passing score on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (from the NCCPA - which on its own does not allow you to do ANYthing except apply for a state license, and use the title PA-C).

If you know that you will be practicing in another state, the Michigan license steps do not pertain to you - you will need to contact that state for their processes and procedures (links to other states can be found here) - (if in doubt, contact me).

Second, remember that there are two types of license: temporary and permanent. They both authorize you to do the exact same things (practice, prescribe, use the title PA, etc.). The temporary allows you to do this almost immediately after graduation, but while waiting for PANCE results. The temporary license is good for up to a year, or when PANCE scores become available - whichever comes first, so yes, you have to take the exam! (If you do not apply for a temporary license at the same time, you cannot practice until the PANCE results are released to the state and the full processing has taken place - which can take several weeks - so think long and hard before you skip the temporary license option! You can't go back and change your mind and "add" the temporary after you have initially applied!)

If you follow the steps below carefully, you will minimize paperwork, time, and hassle. You will ensure that you are able to practice immediately after graduation! Remember, YOU must perform the steps indicated - for privacy and other legal reasons, the program is prohibited from doing any of them for you (except where indicated). So, read carefully, and if anything is unclear ASK NOW! (The state is notorious for not having much a sense of humor about errors and omissions - and without that license, you can't practice - i.e. earn a paycheck! How's that for an incentive?)

A statute was passed in 2006 requiring criminal background checks for all applicants for health professions licenses (including PAs). As 2008, this HAS been implemented - instructions on how to complete this part of the process are included in the initial licensure application packet that you need to download, below. Do NOT miss this step - it will block your application!!!! Note too that at this point in time, you MUST complete this exact process - you can NOT "substitute" the fingerprint/background check which you completed for our program.

TIMEFRAME	WHAT TO DO	HOW TO DO	WHERE TO DO
Register for and schedule exam: May-June Exam itself: 180-day window based upon graduation date. Note: You cannot schedule your exam earlier than 7 days after graduation.	Register for the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination)	Contact the NCCPA, provide required information, pay $425 (subject to change, of course) fee. Under Credentialing Info Release, GIVE PERMISSION TO RELEASE YOUR SCORE TO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN (if you don't, you won't get licensed). The correct address to indicate to NCCPA is (even though it actually goes electronically): -Michigan Department of Community Health -Task Force on Physician’s Assistants -P.O. Box 30670 -Lansing, Michigan 48909	CLICK THIS LINK TO REGISTER ON-LINE (Select the Register for PANCE option on the left side, then select First-Time User) NCCPA will send you a scheduling number. When you receive it (not before), click here to schedule the date and location (Pearson VUE testing centres) for your exam.
June - July (sooner is better than later - it helps to make sure that everything is set, ready, and waiting at graduation, The process takes 4-6 weeks).	Apply for Michigan temporary and permanent licensure at the same time. Complete the fingerprint scan / background check.	You can apply for both at the same time, and save yourself a lot of time and headaches. You must complete the appropriate application form, and of course, pay a fee. Once you have applied, you will receive a "Customer Number" which allows you to track your application status on-line. (Unless you are 100% certain you don't want to practice until after your board scores, always get the temporary as well. The extra fee is cheap insurance, and you can NOT go back and add it later! However, this also depends on when you schedule your boards and how long you want to take off before starting work. Score reporting is rapid enough as of 2009 that the usual last thing in for the permanent license is your transcript (below).	You can download the application packet here. Note the fingerprint / background check process included in the packet. Some questions about Michigan PA Licensure can also be addressed here. Using the Customer Number you receive, you can check your application status here.
August	GRADUATE! (and request a delayed transcript)	We will automatically forward verification of your completion to the state the day after graduation - this suffices for your temporary license. (This is the one thing the program CAN do). Your temporary license generally is issued <2 wks after graduation (assuming you have followed all steps in a timely and correct fashion.)	To request an official transcript for your licensing, sign into GoWMU, andfrom the Student Home tab click on Official Transcript Request Indicate "SEND AFTER DEGREE IS RECEIVED ON August XX, 200x." and use the State of MIchigan address given above. The program can not do this for you, and you must submit a transcript for you permanent license. (Alternatively, complete, print, and mail the form found here.)
Sept - Dec, according to the date you schedule with the NCCPA	Take the PANCE	Well! (Make sure to carefully follow the instructions on what ID to bring with you, and for your conduct during the exam). NCCPA states that you will have your results 3 weeks after the exam.	At the Pearson/VUE location you selected with the NCCPA.
After receiving your license	Apply for your National Provider Number (NPI) (You DO want to get paid for your services, don't you?)	Via the federal government, who has contracted with NPPES for this. (There is no charge to you).	At the online site here. (Don't forget to update your data later on as you get new information (certification, etc.)
After graduation	Practice!	If you followed all of the above, your licensure (temporary and permanent) should go smoothly and automatically (if all done correctly, permanent license will automatically follow receipt of satisfactory board scores). Do NOT practice until you are certain of your license status.	You are not required to have the printed license before practicing - for some reason, that can take a few weeks. To verify your license status, Click here.

[Note: To prescribe controlled substances, you must also have a DEA number (Yes you do, regardless of what you may be told by any well meaning individuals. This is a FEDERAL, not state, requirement). You can apply online here - BUT your number can NOT be issued until you also submit a copy of your Michigan license AND a copy of your written delegation to prescribe controlled substances from your supervising physician by mail to the Detroit DEA office (yes, I know it doesn't actually say this on the DEA site....trust me, you must do this or you will have a huge delay. Here is a sample blank form which meets state and federal requirements: here). Also note: the electronic form asks for your "State Controlled Substance Number" - leave that BLANK (as well as the date) despite the warning about delay that will pop up - PAs do NOT need a Michigan Controlled Substances License, and can NOT get one!! Because of all of this, there is NO advantage to applying 'early' for your DEA number - unless you just like to loan Uncle Sam money for a while.

You've almost made it to the end - congratulations! If you have any questions, problems, or need help with states other than Michigan (links here), feel free to email me. And remember, the faculty and the department are always here to assist you in the future - that's the privilege of being an alumnus!

William H. Fenn, PA-C, Ph.D.

Professor

Email click here.