Physician Assistant / Rhode Island
2026 data Rhode Island board official source

Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island data shows for Physician Assistants

Becoming a licensed physician assistant in Rhode Island means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 4,115 training hours, a passing score on PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Rhode Island regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree (MPAS or MMS)".

Upfront cost is $323, with renewal running $286 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.

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 · Rhode Island

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
4,115 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$323
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$143/yr
$286 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 Rhode Island

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree (MPAS or MMS)
4,115 hours
Exam Requirement
PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$323
Renewal Fee
$286
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 Rhode Island licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Rhode Island licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physician Assistant in Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island requires 4115 education/training hours, passing an exam (PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam)), and an initial fee of $323. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Physician Assistant in Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island licenses physician assistants who complete its requirements (4115 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Rhode Island licensing board.
Can I transfer my Physician Assistant license to Rhode Island from another state? ▼
For physician assistants, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: PA Licensure Compact: adoption underway in many states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Rhode Island licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Rhode Island require a background check for Physician Assistant licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for physician assistant licensing in Rhode Island. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physician Assistant in Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island ties continued physician assistant licensure to 100 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $286 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this physician assistant license

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

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

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