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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

How Well Do You Know Physician Assistants? Take the Quiz!

Think you can ace these fun facts about physician assistants? Dive in now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art stethoscope syringe tablet notepad on teal background for physician assistant quiz

This Physician Assistant Fun Facts Quiz helps you see what you know about PA roles, training, and history while you play. Expect quick questions, clear answers, and a few surprises, so you have fun and learn a fact or two. When you want extra practice, check out the practice questions.

What is the standard abbreviation used to refer to a Physician Assistant in clinical settings?
NP
PA
RN
MD
"PA" stands for Physician Assistant and is the universally accepted abbreviation in healthcare settings. The term distinguishes PAs from physicians (MDs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and registered nurses (RNs). PAs are licensed to practice medicine on healthcare teams under the supervision of physicians and perform a broad scope of diagnostic and therapeutic services. For more information, visit the AAPA website .
In what year was the first Physician Assistant educational program launched at Duke University?
1975
1985
1965
1955
The first PA program was founded in 1965 at Duke University by Dr. Eugene A. Stead Jr. to address a shortage of primary care physicians and utilize the skills of returning Vietnam War medical corpsmen. This pioneering model rapidly influenced the creation of PA programs nationwide. Today, PA education has expanded globally, building on the Duke prototype. Read more at Duke PA's history page .
Which organization is responsible for accrediting Physician Assistant educational programs in the United States?
NCCPA
AAPA
ARC-PA
AMA
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) evaluates and accredits PA programs in the U.S. to ensure they meet rigorous educational standards. The ARC-PA's mission is to protect the public by assuring quality in PA education. Without ARC-PA accreditation, graduates cannot sit for the national certification exam. For accreditation standards, see .
On average, how many years does it take to complete a Physician Assistant educational program?
3 years
4 years
1 year
2 years
Most accredited PA programs in the U.S. require about two years of full-time study, combining classroom instruction with clinical rotations. Programs typically include around 1,000 didactic hours and 2,000 clinical hours. Some programs may offer part-time or extended pathways, but the standard duration is two years. Learn more at the AAPA education resources .
National Physician Assistant (PA) Week is celebrated in which month each year?
September
June
November
October
National PA Week is celebrated every October to commemorate the contributions PAs make to healthcare. The week culminates on October 6, the anniversary of the first PA class graduation in 1967. Events during PA Week often include community health screenings and educational outreach. Visit AAPA's PA Week page for more details .
Which of the following best describes the primary role of Physician Assistants in healthcare?
Manage hospital administrative tasks
Perform only nursing duties
Provide medical services under physician supervision
Oversee health insurance claims
Physician Assistants are licensed to practice medicine on healthcare teams under the supervision of physicians. They conduct physical exams, diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and assist in surgery. While they handle many clinical duties, they do not primarily focus on administrative or billing tasks. For role details, see .
What is the name of the national certifying exam that new Physician Assistants must pass to earn the PA-C designation?
PANCE
USMLE
PANRE
NPTE
The Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Passing the PANCE is required to use the PA-C designation and practice in the U.S. The exam assesses medical and surgical knowledge across multiple domains. Details are available at the NCCPA site .
How often must Physician Assistants complete the PANRE or alternative certification assessment to maintain NCCPA certification?
Every 10 years
Every 2 years
Every 5 years
Every 3 years
The PANRE (Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam) is required every 10 years by the NCCPA unless the PA uses the PANRE-LA or alternative Longitudinal Assessment option. In addition, all PAs must earn 100 CME credits every two years. The decennial exam ensures continued clinical competence. For recertification pathways, see .
Which medical specialty employs the highest percentage of Physician Assistants according to recent workforce surveys?
Emergency Medicine
Pediatrics
Surgery
Family Medicine
Family Medicine consistently employs the largest share of PAs, reflecting the profession's origins in primary care. According to AAPA data, over 28% of PAs work in family medicine, followed by surgical subspecialties and emergency medicine. This distribution highlights PAs' role in addressing primary care shortages. See detailed workforce data at .
Approximately what percentage of certified Physician Assistants in the U.S. are female?
50%
85%
30%
70%
PA workforce data indicates that roughly 70% of certified PAs in the U.S. are female, a trend that has been rising steadily since the profession's inception. This gender distribution contrasts with many other medical professions, reflecting PA program recruitment and workforce dynamics. For up-to-date demographics, see .
The original concept for the Physician Assistant role was modeled after which group of healthcare personnel?
Nurse practitioners
Military medical corpsmen
Paramedics
Medical assistants
The PA role was inspired by U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsmen who served in Vietnam and had advanced clinical skills. Dr. Eugene Stead recruited these corpsmen into Duke's inaugural PA class in 1965. Their hands-on experience and medical training made them ideal candidates for an accelerated physician extender program. Learn more at the Duke PA archives .
Under what authority do Physician Assistants gain the right to prescribe medications in all 50 states?
Hospital policy
State-specific laws
DEA regulations alone
Federal law
Prescriptive authority for PAs is granted through state practice acts and regulations, which vary by jurisdiction. Each state legislature defines the scope, including formularies and supervision requirements. There is no single federal law granting prescriptive rights; instead, PAs apply for DEA registration once state law permits. Details on state laws are tracked by AAPA at .
Which branch of the military collaborated with Duke University to establish the first PA class?
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Navy
U.S. Army
Dr. Eugene Stead partnered with the U.S. Navy to recruit discharged Hospital Corpsmen for the inaugural PA class at Duke in 1965. These corpsmen had significant medical training and field experience, providing a foundation for the PA curriculum. The Navy's support was crucial in designing the program's accelerated format. More historical context is available at .
As of 2023, approximately how many certified Physician Assistants are practicing in the United States?
200,000
50,000
100,000
156,000
The NCCPA reports that there are about 156,000 certified PAs in the U.S. as of 2023, reflecting rapid workforce growth since the profession's founding. This expansion meets increasing healthcare demands in primary and specialty care. For the latest certification statistics, visit the NCCPA data center .
Which federal legislation first recognized Physician Assistants as providers eligible for Medicare reimbursement?
Medicare Modernization Act
Affordable Care Act
Social Security Amendments of 1965
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1986 authorized PAs - and nurse practitioners - to bill and be reimbursed by Medicare for their services. This landmark provision recognized PAs as independent providers under Medicare Part B. Prior to OBRA '86, PAs had to bill under supervising physicians' provider numbers. More details are available at the CMS historical archives .
How many hours of Category I Continuing Medical Education must a PA complete every two years to maintain NCCPA certification?
50 hours
100 hours
60 hours
80 hours
NCCPA requires PAs to earn a total of 100 CME credits every two years, of which at least 50 must be Category I (organized activities approved by agencies like the AAPA or AMA). The remaining credits can be Category II (self-assessed learning). This ensures ongoing competency in patient care. For CME requirements, see .
Which state was the final jurisdiction to grant full prescriptive authority to Physician Assistants?
North Carolina
Louisiana
Alabama
New York
North Carolina was the last U.S. state to pass legislation granting PAs full prescriptive authority in 2005. Before that, PAs there could not prescribe medications under state law, unlike peers in other states. The change aligned NC with national trends expanding PA scope of practice. Legislation details are available at the NC Medical Board site .
The PANRE offers focused exam options in which two clinical areas for recertification?
Psychiatry and Geriatrics
Emergency Medicine and Family Practice
Pediatrics and Obstetrics
Adult Medicine and Surgery
For the PANRE, PAs may choose a general exam or one of two focus areas: Adult Medicine or Surgery. These options allow PAs to tailor the recertification exam to their primary clinical practice areas. Focus exams include questions specific to the chosen domain. Refer to NCCPA's exam guide .
What anniversary did the PA profession celebrate in 2019?
75th anniversary
50th anniversary
60th anniversary
25th anniversary
Since the first PA class graduated in 1967, 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the profession. Celebrations included special events at universities, AAPA conferences, and community outreach. This milestone highlighted decades of PA contributions to healthcare access. More on the anniversary at .
Which patient population did the first PA graduates primarily serve when they began practice?
Urban pediatric clinics
Rural and underserved communities
Geriatric long-term care
Oncology centers
The initial Duke PA graduates were deployed to rural and underserved areas lacking sufficient physicians, focusing on primary care needs. This model proved effective in extending healthcare access to medically underserved populations. Their success laid the groundwork for widespread PA deployment. Historical details are on the Duke PA site .
As of 2020, approximately how many Physician Assistants were practicing per 100,000 U.S. residents?
10 per 100,000
100 per 100,000
25 per 100,000
56 per 100,000
Workforce surveys estimate about 56 PAs per 100,000 population in the U.S. as of 2020. This ratio varies by state, with higher densities in metropolitan areas. The figure underscores the growing role of PAs in delivering healthcare. See AAPA workforce metrics .
Who is widely recognized as the founder of the Physician Assistant profession?
Eugene A. Stead Jr.
Charles R. Hudson
Henry E. Silver
William J. Mayo
Dr. Eugene A. Stead Jr., a physician and educator at Duke University, established the first PA program in 1965. His vision was to leverage the skills of Vietnam War Navy Corpsmen to address primary care shortages. This initiative officially launched the PA profession in the U.S. More about his legacy at Duke PA history .
The first PA class at Duke University primarily consisted of graduates from which background?
Air Force medics
Registered nurses
Medical assistants
Enlisted Navy Hospital Corpsmen
Duke's inaugural PA class in 1965 was composed almost entirely of former Navy Hospital Corpsmen who had served in Vietnam. Their extensive field training and medical experience made them ideal candidates for an accelerated physician extender curriculum. This background set a precedent for future PA classes. See Duke PA archives .
Which influential AMA report in 1966 recommended the creation of a new medical practitioner role that led to the PA profession?
Medical Education Reform Act
Flexner Report
GME Accreditation Report
AMA Task Force on Medical Education report
In 1966, the American Medical Association's Task Force on Medical Education issued a report advocating for a new midlevel practitioner to ease physician shortages. This recommendation directly influenced Dr. Stead's development of the PA curriculum at Duke. The report stressed utilizing paramedical personnel for expanded care delivery. Archive information is available at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand PA Roles -

    After the quiz, readers will clearly understand the primary duties and responsibilities of physician assistants in clinical settings.

  2. Recall Fun Facts -

    Readers will be able to remember and share intriguing fun facts about physician assistants that highlight their unique contributions to healthcare.

  3. Compare Career Paths -

    Participants will analyze key differences between nursing and PA roles by reflecting on the "should I be a nurse or PA" quiz framework.

  4. Assess Personal Knowledge -

    Users will gauge their expertise through a physician assistant trivia quiz, pinpointing strengths and areas for growth.

  5. Recognize PA History -

    Readers will identify significant historical milestones that have shaped the evolution of the PA profession.

  6. Apply Quiz Insights -

    Participants will leverage newfound knowledge to support career planning, educational decisions, or discussions about the PA field.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins of the PA Profession -

    One of the most compelling physician assistant fun facts is that the first PA program launched at Duke University in 1965, modelled after U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsmen returning from Vietnam (Duke University Archives). This pioneering effort addressed physician shortages by training experienced medics for civilian care. Remember "Duke '65" as a mnemonic to recall the profession's groundbreaking inception.

  2. Medical Model Training -

    Unlike many allied health roles, PAs are educated on the medical model - mirroring physician curricula with an emphasis on diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical rotations (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant). A handy mnemonic is "SOAP": Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan, reinforcing core patient evaluation steps. Solid understanding of this workflow anchors success in any physician assistant trivia quiz.

  3. Certification and Maintenance -

    To become a licensed PA, graduates must pass the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam) administered by NCCPA, then log 100 CME credits every two years and pass a recertification exam every ten years (NCCPA). You can remember "1 - 0 - 10": 100 credits, 0 lapses, recertify every 10 years. Mastering this schedule ensures you stay current for any "should I be a nurse or PA quiz" you encounter.

  4. Job Outlook and Salary Growth -

    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 31% job growth for PAs from 2020 to 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing health professions with a median annual wage over $121,000 (BLS). You can calculate projected positions by multiplying current workforce by 1.31 to estimate future demand. These figures highlight why fun facts about physician assistants often spotlight both impact and earning potential.

  5. PA vs. RN Career Comparison -

    When weighing "should I be a nurse or PA?", consider that PAs follow a two-year master's program rooted in differential diagnosis, while registered nurses earn a BSN over 2 - 4 years focusing on patient care and advocacy (American Association of Physician Assistants, AACN). Use the acronym "MAPA vs. RN": Model, Autonomy, Pathway, Accreditation. This comparison clarifies distinct scopes and helps you decide which route aligns with your goals.

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