Physician Assistant / Maryland
2026 data Maryland board official source

Maryland Physician Assistant License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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

What the Maryland data shows for Physician Assistants

Maryland sets the entry bar for physician assistants at 3,993 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 Maryland's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree (MPAS or MMS)".

Budget $299 to get started, plus $266 at each renewal 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
22/100
Physician Assistant · Maryland

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
3,993 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$299
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$133/yr
$266 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 Maryland

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree (MPAS or MMS)
3,993 hours
Exam Requirement
PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$299
Renewal Fee
$266
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 Maryland licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maryland licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physician Assistant in Maryland? ▼
Maryland requires 3993 education/training hours, passing an exam (PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam)), and an initial fee of $299. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Physician Assistant in Maryland? ▼
Maryland licenses physician assistants who complete its requirements (3993 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Maryland licensing board.
Can I transfer my Physician Assistant license to Maryland from another state? ▼
Physician Assistant licenses generally reciprocate as follows: PA Licensure Compact: adoption underway in many states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Maryland licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Maryland require a background check for Physician Assistant licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for physician assistant licensing in Maryland. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physician Assistant in Maryland? ▼
Licensed physician assistants in Maryland must complete 100 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $266.

Related Guides

What to do with this physician assistant license

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

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

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