Physician Assistant / Colorado
2026 data Colorado board official source

Colorado Physician Assistant License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Practices medicine under physician supervision. Requires PANCE exam and masters degree.

What the Colorado data shows for Physician Assistants

Colorado sets the entry bar for physician assistants at 4,277 training hours and a passing score on PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Colorado's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree (MPAS or MMS)".

Budget $355 to get started, plus $313 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 100 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For physician assistants, the reciprocity picture is: PA Licensure Compact: adoption underway in many states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
20/100
Physician Assistant · Colorado

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
4,277 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$355
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$157/yr
$313 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
50.0 hrs/yr
100 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Colorado

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree (MPAS or MMS)
4,277 hours
Exam Requirement
PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$355
Renewal Fee
$313
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
100 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Physician Assistant All Colorado licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Colorado licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physician Assistant in Colorado? ▼
In Colorado, the license path calls for 4277 education/training hours, a passing score on PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam), and a $355 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Physician Assistant in Colorado? ▼
Colorado licenses physician assistants who complete its requirements (4277 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Colorado licensing board.
Can I transfer my Physician Assistant license to Colorado from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for physician assistants: PA Licensure Compact: adoption underway in many states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Colorado licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Colorado require a background check for Physician Assistant licensing? ▼
Yes, Colorado requires a criminal background check as part of the physician assistant licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physician Assistant in Colorado? ▼
Licensed physician assistants in Colorado must complete 100 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $313.

Related Guides

What to do with this physician assistant license

Physician Assistant in Colorado, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a physician assistant-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Colorado's physician assistant requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Physician Assistant in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state physician assistant license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Colorado's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Colorado overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Colorado licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.