Physician Assistant / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Physician Assistant License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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

What the Illinois data shows for Physician Assistants

Illinois's path to physician assistant licensure runs through 4,378 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Illinois folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree (MPAS or MMS)".

Upfront cost is $376, with renewal running $330 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 100 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, physician assistants should know: PA Licensure Compact: adoption underway in many states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
20/100
Physician Assistant · Illinois

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
4,378 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$376
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$165/yr
$330 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 Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree (MPAS or MMS)
4,378 hours
Exam Requirement
PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$376
Renewal Fee
$330
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 Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physician Assistant in Illinois? ▼
In Illinois, the license path calls for 4378 education/training hours, a passing score on PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam), and a $376 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Physician Assistant in Illinois? ▼
Certification as a physician assistant in Illinois means clearing the state's checklist: 4378 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Illinois licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Physician Assistant license to Illinois 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 Illinois licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Illinois require a background check for Physician Assistant licensing? ▼
Illinois does require a background check before issuing a physician assistant license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physician Assistant in Illinois? ▼
Licensed physician assistants in Illinois must complete 100 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $330.

Related Guides

What to do with this physician assistant license

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

  • See how Illinois'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 Illinois's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Illinois overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois 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.