Physician Assistant

HPSP

Age: Projected actual age on date of completion of sponsored program is less than 39.

Degree: HPSP applicant must be enrolled in an accredited Master of Physician Assistant Studies (or equivalent) program.

Degree Note: Effective 1 Jan 2001 PA program accreditation was taken over by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA, http://www.arc-pa.org/), separating from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). AFI 44-119 Medical Quality Operations reflects this change. A list of currently accredited programs can be found at http://www.arc- pa.org/accreditation/accredited-programs/

Students are considered eligible when attending a fully-accredited program or if one of the following criteria is met:

-New student applies to a new program under “Provisional” accreditation status. -New student applies to program under “Continuing” accreditation status. -Existing student already attends a program that is subsequently placed under “Probationary” accreditation status AND the student will graduate prior to the next accreditation review, typically less than 2 years.

Applicants are ineligible if applying to programs already under existing “Probationary” accreditation status.

Certification: HPSP recipients will be required to test for National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant (NCCPA) certification prior to or within 60 days of entry onto active duty, and to successfully obtain NCCPA certification within 12 months of entry onto active duty. Failure to obtain NCCPA certification in accordance with this timeline will result in administrative separation actions and potential recoupment. HPSP recipients will also be required to meet specific clinical performance standards within the first 18 months. Failure to meet these standards may also result in administrative separation actions and potential recoupment.

GPA: Not specified

Start Process: November-July

Board Date: Early October

Estimated Board Release: Late October

COT Date: After 1st year of physician assistant school or second year, it depends on availability. Sometimes can be referred for after graduation.

Rank/Grade: Second Lieutenant/O-1

Fully Qualified

Age: Actual age on EAD is less than 42.

Degree: Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies (or equivalent) required.

Degree Note: Effective 1 Jan 2001 PA program accreditation was taken over by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA, http://www.arc-pa.org/), separating from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). AFI 44-119 Medical Quality Operations reflects this change. Therefore, accrediting organizations will vary dependent upon when the PA graduated (AMA, CAAHEP, ARC-PA). A list of currently accredited programs can be found at http://www.arc- pa.org/accreditation/accredited-programs/

Prospective applicants are considered eligible when attending a fully-accredited program or if one of the following criteria is met:

-New student applies to a new program under “Provisional” accreditation status. -New student applies to program under “Continuing” accreditation status. -Existing student already attends a program that is subsequently placed under “Probationary” accreditation status AND the student will graduate prior to the next accreditation review, typically less than 2 years.

Applicants are ineligible if applying to programs already under existing “Probationary” accreditation status. Applicants are ineligible if the program attended was under “Probationary” status for the entire academic period the applicant attended, and the applicant graduated before the next accreditation review.

Certification: Current and valid National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant (NCCPA) certification is required and mandatory. Highly qualified final year students may apply their final year, however NCCPA certification is required prior to commissioning onto Active Duty. (Be sure to run any questionable degrees/experience by the consultant prior to preparing the application. The consultant will need a copy of the CV/Resume and transcripts.) GPA: Not specified

Start Process: November-July

Board Date: Early October

Estimated Board Release: Late October

COT Date: January through August and no later than October 1st

Rank/Grade: First Lieutenant/O-2