Physician Assistant / Montana
2026 data Montana board official source

Montana Physician Assistant License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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

What the Montana data shows for Physician Assistants

Montana's path to physician assistant licensure runs through 4,135 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. Montana folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree (MPAS or MMS)".

The initial price tag is $327, and renewal costs $289 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 100 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: PA Licensure Compact: adoption underway in many states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
21/100
Physician Assistant · Montana

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
4,135 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$327
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$145/yr
$289 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 Montana

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree (MPAS or MMS)
4,135 hours
Exam Requirement
PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$327
Renewal Fee
$289
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 Montana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Montana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physician Assistant in Montana? ▼
Montana requires 4135 education/training hours, passing an exam (PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam)), and an initial fee of $327. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Physician Assistant in Montana? ▼
To become a licensed physician assistant in Montana, you must meet the state's requirements including 4135 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Montana licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Physician Assistant license to Montana 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 Montana licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Montana require a background check for Physician Assistant licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for physician assistant licensing in Montana. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physician Assistant in Montana? ▼
Montana ties continued physician assistant licensure to 100 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $289 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this physician assistant license

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

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

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