⭐ A Quick Refresher: Why “Physician Associate”?

In 2021, the AAPA House of Delegates voted to change the professional title from Physician Assistant to Physician Associate—a more accurate description of the PA role, scope, and training.

The goals were simple:

• Reduce confusion about what PAs actually do

• Strengthen professional identity

• Highlight PA leadership, autonomy, and training

• Give patients a clearer understanding of the PA role in their care

The problem is as the PA profession evolved, the term "assistant" didn’t match the work. You know it. I know it. 

AAPA's external consultant decided it was time to rebrand. 

⭐ So… Is the PA Title Change Official?

The answer: Yes and no...so basically: classic medicine. Here’s the current reality:

✔ Federally? Not yet. Federal titles (VA, CMS, government documents) still say Physician Assistant. However, the Army Surgeon General of the Army has officially endorsed the term Physician Associate as of October 2025.

✔ National certification? NCCPA continues to use PA-C, regardless of the title change.

✔ Education programs? ARC-PA has not changed the “PA” portion of the program accreditation title, but some programs have started using or transitioning towards “Associate”.

✔ State-level changes (the big one)? Right now, only a small handful of states have formally adopted “Physician Associate.” - Oregon, Maine and  New Hampshire. Most states are in the process, exploring, or waiting to explore the title change based on the political climate of their state or their budget constraints.

✔ In daily use? PAs are increasingly introducing themselves as “Physician Associate” in:

• clinical settings (state dependent)

• academic environments

• professional bios

• social media

• Thanksgiving dinner tables (results vary)

⭐ Why the Title Change Feels Slow

Short version: Healthcare bureaucracy moves at the speed of molasses in January. Long version:

• Every state must change its medical practice act (legislatively)

• Titles appear in hundreds of individual statutes

• Hospitals and health systems need internal policy updates

• Insurance companies and credentialing bodies need rewrites

• EMRs need updating (and we all know how fast EMR updates happen… so, never :-))

It’s all paperwork. Actual, literal paperwork.

⭐ How PAs Are Handling the Transition

PAs around the country (depending which state you are in) are:

• Switching to PA (Physician Associate) in their bios

• Adding “Associate” to business cards

• Updating LinkedIn titles

• Answering questions from patients and family members about the title change

• Wearing apparel that sparks questions (hi, that’s where we come in)

Most importantly, PAs are starting conversations that lead to better understanding of the profession, one patient at a time.

⭐ Top Questions Patients (and Family Members) Still Ask

Q: “So… you’re basically a mini-doctor?”
A: Nope. I’m a fully trained medical provider with my own license, who works collaboratively on the health care team. 

Q: “Are you becoming an NP now?”
A: Different profession, different training, same collective exhaustion.

Q: "Will your job/role change?"

A: "Nope, this does not have change my role on the healthcare team. Same care, new name."

Q: “So the title changed… do you get a raise?”
A: Lol. LOL. If only.

⭐ Why the Title Change Still Matters

Because names shape perception. And perception shapes:
✔ respect
✔ collaboration
✔ patient understanding
✔ professional identity
✔ how new grads see their future

PAs deserve a title that reflects what they actually do—not a title that confuses patients or minimizes the depth of PA training.

⭐ So Where Do We Go From Here?

The more people hear it, see it, and understand it, the faster it becomes the norm.

The PA title change is moving slowly, steadily, and with the same determination PAs use to chase down a missing prior auth :-).

Here’s what helps the most:

• Using the term Physician Associate whenever appropriate (check with your state academy/society if you are unsure where the title change stands in your state)

• Educating patients/family in simple, language (where appropriate, don't distract from patient care, but answering questions is OK!)

• Supporting local state advocacy groups

• Wearing PA-positive apparel that sparks conversations

• Sharing content that brings clarity (and a little humor) to the transition

⭐ A Final Pep Talk for PAs Everywhere

No matter what your badge says today: Physician Assistant, Physician Associate, PA, PA-C, PA-S...you bring leadership, compassion, and clinical excellence to medicine.

Your title is evolving, but your impact already speaks for itself.

And if your mom still calls you “assistant to the physician,” just send her this blog… or a shirt.