Physician assistants in Mississippi are licensed and regulated by the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure (MSBML). Select a section below for information on licensure requirements, applications, and renewal resources.
Jump to: About PA Licensure | Education Requirements | Applying for a License | Practice Information | MAPA Assistance | CME Requirements
About PA Licensure
Physician assistants may perform duties and responsibilities, including diagnosing and the ordering, prescribing, dispensing of prepackaged drugs, and administration of drugs and medical devices, as delegated by their supervising physician. Physician assistants may provide any medical service delegated by the supervising physician when the service is within the physician assistant's training and skills, forms a component of the physician's scope of practice, and is provided with supervision. Physician assistants are considered agents of their supervising physicians.
The application fee is $550, payable after submitting an online application.
Education Requirements
The applicant's PA education must be a master's level program. MSBML cannot issue a permanent license based on a bachelor's program, as required by state law. However, if an applicant is currently enrolled in a master's level PA program, MSBML may be able to issue a temporary PA license valid for a maximum of 6 months.
Applying for a License
All applications are submitted online through the Mississippi Enforcement and Licensure System (MELS). Review the instructions and supporting forms below before beginning your application.
Instructions and Forms
- PA Licensure Application Instructions (PDF, 644KB)
- Affidavit and Release Form (PDF, 326KB)
- Appendix A: PA Education Certification (PDF, 151KB)
- Appendix B: Activity Certification
- Appendix C: Staff Membership Certification (PDF, 172KB)
- Appendix D: State Medical Board Licensure Certification (PDF, 155KB)
- Notary Guidelines and Form (PDF, 238KB)
- Photograph Guidelines
- Fingerprinting Guidelines
Practice Information
All physician assistants must use the MELS Gateway to provide and keep current their practice location and physician supervisor information.
MAPA Assistance
The Mississippi Academy of Physician Assistants (MAPA) has volunteered to assist new PA applicants with the licensure process. Contact MAPA for guidance on completing your application.
CME Requirements
Physician assistants must acquire at least 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) every two years, 50 hours of which must be Category 1. Physician assistants certified by the NCCPA may meet this requirement by providing evidence of current NCCPA certification. As part of the 50 Category 1 hours, physician assistants authorized to prescribe controlled substances must complete at least 5 hours of CME every two years related to controlled substance prescribing.