Pre-PA Student Resources
What is a Pre-PA Student? A Pre-PA Student who is in their undergraduate studies and is interested in pursuing PA studies to become a Physician Assistant (ever heard the term pre-med? similar concept applies here!). Pre-PA Students are also known as a prospective Physician Assistant student.
Pre-PA Student Resources
What is a Pre-PA Student? A Pre-PA Student who is in their undergraduate studies and is interested in pursuing PA studies to become a Physician Assistant (ever heard the term pre-med? similar concept applies here!). Pre-PA Students are also known as a prospective Physician Assistant student.
Basics of the PA Profession in Canada
Before you move any further in your PA journey, you must understand What is a Physician Assistant? Being able to describe the role, education, scope of practice and how PAs are able to provide patient care is an important first step. I have a few Infographics about Canadian PAs which provide a good summary of where PAs can practice in Canada. PAs function as physician extenders within a health care team, within a unique PA/MD supervisory relationship.
PA Salaries in Canada differ from PAs make in the United States, because we work within different health care systems. PA salaries d between provinces, specialties, practice settings and with individual PA experience. I’ve also written about the benefits of being a Physician Assistant, including work/life balance, length of school, continuing education and more.
Scroll to the bottom to learn more about how PAs find jobs in Canada (Under the section “Canadian PA Job Market”).
There are several steps to become a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant in Canada:
- You must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada to Apply to a Canadian PA program. No exceptions.
- Review the requirements to apply to Canadian PA programs, which differ by school:
- You must have 2-4 years of undergraduate studies (university level, not college level)
- Meet minimum GPA requirements
- Have clinical experience hours (UofT only)
- Letters of reference (Manitoba and UofT only) and more.
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* Always check official PA programs websites for the most up-to-date information on PA schools.
** PA programs are competitive just like other health care programs, I list a few articles below on how to strengthen your PA application.
- If you received your undergraduate degree outside of Canada, there are a few extra steps you have to follow (this includes International Medical Graduates/IMG) to credential your grades.
What is helpful sometimes is understanding the difference between a PA vs. MD, vs. NP, or other health care providers:
- Physician Assistants vs. Nurse Practitioners
- Physician Assistants vs. Physicians
- Physician Assistants vs. Physiotherapists
If you’re looking for more resources (apart from this blog) on where to learn about Physician Assistants in Canada, check out the Top 10 Resources to Learn about the PA Profession in Canada
If you are an American PA-C, you can practice in Canada: Right now, Canada only accepts American Certified Physician Assistants (PA-C’s) who have trained in the United States to work in Canada.
If you are a PA from another country (e.g. United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ghana, India), you would have to complete a PA education program in American or Canada to work as a PA in Canada. International PAs who are not American PA-Cs cannot currently practice in Canada.
Canadian PA programs DO NOT accept International students at this time. You must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada to apply.
Click here to learn more about options to learn at a PA program internationally.
You can consider applying to Canadian PA programs once you become a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada.
Canadian PA Admissions Info
Obtaining your Clinical Experience Hours
PA Consortium/University of Toronto’s PA Program is the only program that has required clinical experience hours.
Be a Stronger PA School Applicant
Learn about the PA programs in Canada
There are only four PA programs in Canada. You must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada in order to apply.
PA Consortium (BScPA UofT)
Canadian PA Job Market
Networking
- Where to find PA Jobs in Canada
- Networking for Employment for New PA Grads
- Employment Tips for PA Students
Career Start
- Getting Started with the Career Start Grant
- Guide to the Ontario Career Start Grant
- New PA Grad Andrew reflects on the PA Job Hunt
- New PA Grad BG discusses finding work thru Career Start
- New PA Grad Celina on finding work outside the Career Start Grant
