The Pennsylvania Physician Assistant License Application is the official document that every PA must submit to the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine before practicing medicine under physician supervision in Pennsylvania. The application runs through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS), which is the online portal the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs uses for every health-related license in the Commonwealth.
This form solves a specific problem: it is the legal gateway between graduating from an ARC-PA accredited program and earning a paycheck as a PA in Pennsylvania. According to the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs annual report, Pennsylvania has more than 6,800 active PAs across both boards, and processing times for clean applications average 4 to 8 weeks once every supporting document arrives.
- 📝 The exact line-by-line walkthrough of the PALS application screens for both the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine.
- 📄 The full pre-filing checklist of every document, transcript, and verification you must gather before opening the form.
- 👤 Three named real-world scenarios showing what a new graduate, an endorsement applicant, and a reactivation filer enter in each box.
- ⚠️ The 10 most common field-level mistakes that trigger a deficiency letter and delay your start date.
- 💵 The current fees, Act 31 training requirement, criminal-history disclosure rules, and temporary practice permit pathway.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Pennsylvania Physician Assistant License Application is a state-issued credentialing application required under the Medical Practice Act of 1985 and the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act. Any person who wants to practice as a PA in Pennsylvania must hold an active license from one of the two boards before performing medical acts, writing prescriptions, or billing under a supervising physician.
The Board of Medicine licenses PAs supervised by an MD under 49 Pa. Code Chapter 18, Subchapter D. The Board of Osteopathic Medicine licenses PAs supervised by a DO under 49 Pa. Code Chapter 25, Subchapter H. The two licenses do not transfer back and forth, so the supervising physician’s degree dictates which board you file with.
Three groups of filers use the application. The first is the new graduate applying by examination, who has just sat or is about to sit for the PANCE administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. The second is the licensed PA from another state applying by endorsement (Pennsylvania’s word for license transfer). The third is the previously licensed Pennsylvania PA whose license has lapsed and who now needs reactivation under 49 Pa. Code § 18.171.
A fourth group, recent graduates who have not yet received PANCE results, may apply for a Temporary Practice Permit, which lets them work under direct supervision for up to 12 months while certification finishes processing. The temporary permit uses the same PALS application with one added screen and a separate fee.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
You cannot save partial uploads on every PALS screen, so gather every item below before opening the application. Missing even one document triggers a deficiency notice and resets the review queue.
- Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or U.S. passport). The board uses it to verify identity at the criminal-history stage, and a missing ID stops the background check from matching.
- Social Security Number. Pennsylvania requires it under the Child Support Enforcement Act, and an incorrect SSN flags your file for manual review.
- Official PA program transcript sent directly from your ARC-PA accredited program. Student copies are rejected.
- NCCPA certification letter or proof of PANCE registration if you are using the temporary permit pathway, downloadable from your NCCPA account.
- Act 31 Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting training certificate (3 hours) from an approved Act 31 provider. The board will not issue a license without it.
- FBI and Pennsylvania State Police criminal history clearances processed through IdentoGO using the correct service code for the Board of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine.
- License verifications from every state where you have ever held any health-care license, sent board-to-board.
- Malpractice or disciplinary history records, including National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB self-query) for endorsement filers.
- Written Agreement signed by your primary supervising physician, which must list the scope of practice and countersignature schedule.
- Payment method (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or electronic check).
Each item connects to a specific PALS screen. If a document is missing, PALS lets you submit but flags the application “Pending Documentation,” and the board will not assign a reviewer until every box turns green.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The application lives entirely inside PALS. There is no downloadable PDF for the initial license; only renewal and a handful of supplemental forms exist on paper. To start, click “Register” on the PALS home page, choose “I have never been licensed in PA,” and create a username tied to your personal email (not a school or work email, which you may lose access to mid-review).
Once registered, click “Apply for New License,” select “Medicine” or “Osteopathic Medicine” as the board, and pick “Physician Assistant — License.” PALS then asks whether you are applying by examination, by endorsement, or for reactivation, and whether you also want a temporary practice permit.
The system saves progress per screen, so you can leave and return. The application stays in “In Progress” status for 90 days; after that, PALS purges it and you start over. The official instructions for each pathway live on the Board of Medicine PA page and the Osteopathic Medicine PA page.
If you cannot use PALS because of a disability, the Bureau will mail a paper packet on request by calling the Board office at 717-783-1400. Paper applications add roughly 4 weeks to processing because staff must hand-key every entry into PALS.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Pennsylvania PA License Application Line by Line
The PALS application breaks into seven labeled sections. Each section corresponds to one or more screens. Field names below match the labels printed on the screen verbatim, and sample entries appear in italics so you can tell them apart from instructions.
Section 1, Box 1: Legal Name
This field asks for your full legal name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card and your PA program diploma.
To answer, type your last name first, then a comma, then your first name, then your middle name in full. Do not use nicknames or initials unless your legal name is an initial.
For example, Patel, Anjali Reshma is the correct entry for a new graduate whose diploma reads “Anjali Reshma Patel.”
The most common nuance is a recent name change after marriage. If your NCCPA record and your transcript still show your maiden name, list the name on your diploma here and use the “Other Names Used” box later.
A common mistake is entering a hyphenated last name with a space instead of the hyphen, which causes the SSA name match to fail and freezes your file in “Identity Verification Pending.”
A frequent misconception is that the board accepts the name on your driver’s license as the source of truth. It does not. The Social Security Administration record controls.
Section 1, Box 2: Other Names Used
This field asks for every prior legal name, including maiden names, names from previous marriages, and any anglicized versions you have used on professional documents.
To answer, list each name on its own line in PALS, using the same Last, First, Middle format as Box 1.
For example, Patel, Anjali Reshma would add Shah, Anjali Reshma if she practiced under her maiden name during her clinical rotations.
The nuance here is foreign-script names. Romanize them using the spelling on your passport, not a phonetic guess.
A common mistake is leaving this box blank because the filer thinks “former name” means legally changed. The board treats every spelling variation on prior transcripts or licenses as a former name.
A misconception is that omitting a name protects privacy. It does the opposite, because mismatched names on transcripts trigger a fraud flag under 49 Pa. Code § 16.61.
Section 1, Box 3: Date of Birth
This field asks for your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format.
To answer, type the two-digit month, two-digit day, and four-digit year separated by forward slashes.
For example, 03/14/1998 is the correct entry for a new graduate born March 14, 1998.
The nuance is foreign birth records. If your home country uses DD/MM/YYYY, you must convert to the U.S. format here.
A common mistake is entering a two-digit year (98 instead of 1998), which PALS accepts but interprets as the year 0098 and freezes the application at the criminal-history check.
A misconception is that the date must match your passport. It must match your Social Security record, which the SSA built from your original birth certificate.
Section 1, Box 4: Social Security Number
This field asks for your nine-digit Social Security Number.
To answer, type all nine digits without dashes.
For example, 123456789 is the format PALS accepts.
The nuance is filers without an SSN. Pennsylvania allows an ITIN only with a sworn affidavit explaining why no SSN exists.
A common mistake is transposing two digits, which causes the PA Department of Human Services child-support match to fail and adds 2 weeks to review.
A misconception is that the board shares your SSN with employers. It does not. The number is encrypted in PALS and used only for child-support enforcement and tax compliance.
Section 1, Box 5: Mailing Address
This field asks for the address where the board should send paper correspondence.
To answer, type the street number, street name, apartment or unit, city, state, and 5- or 9-digit ZIP code in the labeled subfields.
For example, 123 Walnut Street, Apt 4B, Philadelphia, PA 19103 is a complete entry.
The nuance is P.O. Boxes, which are allowed for the mailing address but not the residence address (Box 6).
A common mistake is using a school address that you will lose after graduation, which causes the wall certificate and any deficiency letter to bounce.
A misconception is that PALS notifications replace mail. They do not. The board still mails the wall certificate and any disciplinary notice on paper.
Section 1, Box 6: Residence Address
This field asks for the physical address where you live, which must be a street address.
To answer, fill in the same subfields as Box 5, but use a residential street, not a P.O. Box.
For example, 4501 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 is a valid residence entry.
The nuance is filers in temporary housing during board review. Use the address where you sleep most nights, even if it is a sublet.
A common mistake is entering the supervising physician’s office, which fails the Department of State residency cross-check.
A misconception is that out-of-state residence disqualifies you. It does not. PAs may live in Ohio and work in Pennsylvania as long as the license, the written agreement, and the practice site are Pennsylvania-based.
Section 2, Box 7: Education — PA Program
This field asks for the name of the ARC-PA accredited PA program you attended, the city and state, the degree awarded, and the graduation date.
To answer, choose your program from the PALS dropdown if it appears, or type it exactly as the program lists itself with ARC-PA.
For example, Drexel University Hahnemann Physician Assistant Program, Philadelphia, PA, MS PA Studies, 05/15/2026 is correct for a new Drexel graduate.
The nuance is bridge programs (RN-to-PA or paramedic-to-PA). Enter only the program that confers the PA credential, not the prior nursing or paramedic school.
A common mistake is using the parent university’s name when ARC-PA accredits a specific college within it, which causes the verification request to land at the wrong registrar.
A misconception is that an unaccredited or “candidate status” program qualifies. It does not. Only graduates of programs with full ARC-PA accreditation may sit for the PANCE and obtain a Pennsylvania license.
Section 2, Box 8: NCCPA Certification
This field asks for your NCCPA certification number and the date you passed (or are scheduled to take) the PANCE.
To answer, log into your NCCPA account, download the certification letter, and upload it directly to PALS, then type your six-digit NCCPA ID into the box.
For example, NCCPA ID 1234567, certified 06/20/2026 is correct.
The nuance is the temporary practice permit. If results are pending, upload the PANCE registration confirmation and check the “Temporary Permit Requested” box on the same screen.
A common mistake is uploading a screenshot instead of the official certification letter, which the reviewer rejects on sight.
A misconception is that NCCPA notifies the board automatically. It does not. You must trigger the score release inside your NCCPA account and upload the letter yourself.
Section 3, Box 9: Criminal History Disclosure
This field asks whether you have ever been arrested, charged, convicted, or pled guilty or no contest to any crime, anywhere in the world, including expunged matters.
To answer, click “Yes” or “No.” If “Yes,” PALS opens a free-text box and a document upload, and you must attach a written explanation, the certified court disposition, and the police report for each event.
For example, a filer with one DUI from 2018 writes Yes — single DUI conviction, Allegheny County, 04/12/2018, ARD completed 11/01/2019, no further incidents, and uploads the disposition.
The nuance is summary offenses (traffic citations under 75 Pa.C.S.). Most summary offenses do not need disclosure, but DUIs always do, even if expunged or sealed.
A common mistake is checking “No” because the case was expunged. The board sees expunged records through the FBI clearance, and a non-disclosure under 49 Pa. Code § 16.16 is itself grounds for denial.
A misconception is that minor crimes are automatic disqualifiers. They are not. Pennsylvania uses a directly-related test under the Criminal History Record Information Act, and most non-violent, non-drug, non-fraud convictions do not bar licensure.
Section 3, Box 10: Disciplinary History Disclosure
This field asks whether any licensing board, hospital, or training program has ever disciplined, restricted, suspended, revoked, or denied any license or privilege.
To answer, click “Yes” or “No,” then upload the original board order or hospital action letter for every “Yes.”
For example, Yes — voluntary surrender of New York PA license 2022, no underlying patient harm, full reinstatement 2024 is a complete narrative.
The nuance is informal letters of concern, which most boards do not consider discipline. Disclose them anyway and let Pennsylvania decide.
A common mistake is omitting a hospital privilege issue because no state board acted. The form covers privileges, not just licenses.
A misconception is that out-of-state discipline does not follow you. It does. The Federation of State Medical Boards shares actions through the Physician Data Center, and Pennsylvania pulls your full record automatically.
Section 4, Box 11: Act 31 Child Abuse Training
This field asks for proof that you completed 3 hours of Department of Human Services-approved Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting training.
To answer, upload the certificate of completion as a PDF and type the provider name and completion date.
For example, University of Pittsburgh Act 31 Course, completed 04/22/2026 is correct.
The nuance is reciprocity. Out-of-state mandated-reporter training does not satisfy Act 31; you must complete a Pennsylvania-approved course.
A common mistake is uploading the registration confirmation rather than the completion certificate, which delays approval.
A misconception is that the training is a one-time requirement. It is, for initial licensure, but you must complete 2 hours every renewal cycle to stay compliant.
Section 4, Box 12: Criminal Background Check
This field asks for proof that you submitted fingerprints to IdentoGO using the correct Pennsylvania service code.
To answer, schedule a fingerprint appointment at IdentoGO using service code 1KG6XN for Board of Medicine PAs or 1KG6Y3 for Osteopathic PAs, then upload the receipt to PALS.
For example, IdentoGO receipt #PA20260415-12345, fingerprints captured 04/15/2026 is the right format.
The nuance is out-of-state filers. You may use a card-scan vendor and mail the FD-258 card to IdentoGO, but the card must be on the FBI-approved stock.
A common mistake is using the wrong service code, which routes results to a different board and forces a re-scan.
A misconception is that a recent FBI check from another state transfers. It does not. Pennsylvania requires its own clearance, dated within 90 days of submission.
Section 5, Box 13: Written Agreement and Supervising Physician
This field asks for the name, license number, and primary practice address of your supervising physician, plus an uploaded Written Agreement.
To answer, type the physician’s full name, MD or DO license number, and address, and upload a Written Agreement that meets 49 Pa. Code § 18.142.
For example, Dr. Maria Gonzalez, MD085432L, 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 with an attached Written Agreement is complete.
The nuance is multiple supervising physicians. List your primary supervisor here and add substitutes on the supplemental supervisor form.
A common mistake is uploading a generic employment offer letter instead of a Written Agreement that lists scope, countersignature schedule, and prescriptive authority.
A misconception is that the supervising physician must be your employer. They do not. Many PAs work for hospital systems where the supervisor is a peer-employee.
Section 6, Box 14: Application Fee
This field asks for the non-refundable application fee, paid online through PALS.
To answer, click the payment link at the end of the application and pay $45 for the Board of Medicine or $35 for the Board of Osteopathic Medicine, plus the temporary permit fee if applicable.
For example, a Board of Medicine new-graduate filer pays $45 application + $25 temporary permit = $70 total.
The nuance is fee changes. The Bureau publishes a fee schedule that adjusts every few years.
A common mistake is paying with a debit card on a daily-limit account; the second transaction (criminal-history) often declines.
A misconception is that the fee is refundable on denial. It is not. The fee covers review, not outcome.
Section 7, Box 15: Affidavit and Signature
This field asks you to sign the application under penalty of perjury, attesting that every answer is true.
To answer, click the e-signature box, type your full legal name, and type the date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
For example, Anjali Reshma Patel, 05/20/2026 signed electronically is correct.
The nuance is power-of-attorney signers. The board does not allow them; the applicant must sign personally.
A common mistake is signing before completing every section, which locks the application and forces a withdrawal-and-restart.
A misconception is that the e-signature carries less weight than a wet signature. It carries the same weight under Pennsylvania’s Electronic Transactions Act.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how the application looks for the most common Pennsylvania PA filers. Sample entries appear in italics.
Scenario 1: Anjali Patel — New Graduate, Board of Medicine, Examination Pathway
| Form Section | What Anjali Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 Legal Name | Patel, Anjali Reshma |
| Box 2 Other Names Used | Shah, Anjali Reshma |
| Box 3 Date of Birth | 03/14/1998 |
| Box 5 Mailing Address | 123 Walnut Street, Apt 4B, Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
| Box 7 PA Program | Drexel University Hahnemann PA Program, MS PA Studies, 05/15/2026 |
| Box 8 NCCPA | Temporary Permit Requested, PANCE scheduled 06/20/2026 |
| Box 11 Act 31 | University of Pittsburgh Act 31 Course, 04/22/2026 |
| Box 13 Written Agreement | Dr. Maria Gonzalez, MD085432L, Penn Medicine, 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia |
| Box 14 Fee | $70 ($45 application + $25 temp permit) |
Scenario 2: Marcus Johnson — Endorsement from New York, Board of Osteopathic Medicine
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 Legal Name | Johnson, Marcus Tyrone |
| Box 3 Date of Birth | 11/02/1989 |
| Box 6 Residence Address | 88 Maple Lane, Scranton, PA 18503 |
| Box 7 PA Program | Stony Brook University PA Program, MS PA Studies, 05/2014 |
| Box 8 NCCPA | NCCPA ID 7654321, certified 09/15/2014, current |
| Box 9 Criminal History | No |
| Box 10 Disciplinary | No, NPDB self-query attached |
| Box 13 Written Agreement | Dr. Robert Hayes, OS012345, Geisinger Scranton, 743 Jefferson Avenue |
| Box 14 Fee | $35 application + $25 verification = $60 |
Scenario 3: Janet Reynolds — Reactivation After 5-Year Lapse, Board of Medicine
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 Legal Name | Reynolds, Janet Marie |
| Box 2 Other Names Used | Kowalski, Janet Marie |
| Box 3 Date of Birth | 07/19/1975 |
| Box 7 PA Program | Saint Francis University PA Program, BS PA Studies, 05/1999 |
| Box 8 NCCPA | NCCPA ID 2233445, recertified 12/2025 after 100 CME hours |
| Box 11 Act 31 | Penn State Act 31 Refresher, 03/01/2026 |
| Box 13 Written Agreement | Dr. Linda Park, MD076543L, UPMC Altoona, 620 Howard Avenue |
| Box 14 Fee | $95 reactivation fee |
| Box 15 Affidavit | Janet Marie Reynolds, 05/20/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Pennsylvania accepts the PA license application through three channels, and most filers use only the first.
The online channel is PALS, the default and fastest path. The fee is $45 (Medicine) or $35 (Osteopathic), plus $25 for the temporary permit and $95 for reactivation. PALS accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and electronic check. Processing averages 4 to 8 weeks for clean applications. Save the PALS confirmation number and the email receipt as proof of filing; the board treats the timestamp on that email as the official submission date.
The mail channel is available for filers with documented disabilities or who lack internet access. Mail the paper packet to Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649. Pay by money order or cashier’s check made out to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” Processing adds 4 weeks because staff must hand-key the application. Send by certified mail with return receipt and keep the green card.
The in-person channel is open at the Department of State office at 2601 North 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110, by appointment only at 717-783-1400. The fee is the same; the desk accepts checks and money orders, not cash. You receive a stamped receipt the same day.
A fax channel does not exist for the application itself, but the board accepts supplemental documents at 717-787-7769. Always include a cover sheet listing your PALS application number and the name of the document.
Whatever channel you use, keep PDF copies of every upload, every fee receipt, and every email from the board for at least 7 years, the statute-of-limitations window for fraud claims under 49 Pa. Code § 16.61.
What Happens After You File
Once PALS marks your application “Submitted,” the file goes into a queue at the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. Within 7 to 10 business days, a credentialing analyst opens the file and runs the SSA name match, the IdentoGO criminal-history pull, and the NCCPA verification.
If anything is missing or inconsistent, the analyst sends a Deficiency Letter through PALS and by email. The letter lists each missing item and gives you 60 days to cure. Most deficiencies involve transcripts that never arrived, Act 31 certificates uploaded as screenshots, or Written Agreements missing prescriptive-authority language.
When the file is complete, the analyst forwards it to a board reviewer. Routine applications without criminal or disciplinary history clear in 4 to 8 weeks. Applications with a “Yes” on Box 9 or Box 10 go to the full board for a review meeting, which adds 8 to 16 weeks. The board meets monthly, and its agenda posts on the Open Meetings page.
Once approved, PALS changes your status to “Active,” and your license number appears in your dashboard the next business day. The wall certificate arrives by mail within 4 weeks. Renewal occurs every 2 years, and the next renewal cycle for both boards aligns with your license issue date.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Using a school email address. The board sends deficiency notices to that email, and graduates lose access within 30 days, which causes missed deadlines.
- Entering a two-digit birth year. PALS reads “98” as the year 0098 and freezes the file at criminal-history.
- Skipping Box 2 Other Names. Mismatched transcript names trigger a fraud flag and a 6-week investigation.
- Checking “No” on Box 9 for an expunged DUI. The FBI clearance shows expunged matters, and non-disclosure is independent grounds for denial.
- Uploading an unofficial transcript. The board returns student copies and waits for the official version, adding 4 weeks.
- Using the wrong IdentoGO service code. Results route to the wrong board and force a re-scan at $25 each time.
- Submitting an out-of-state mandated-reporter certificate. Pennsylvania requires an Act 31-specific course, not a generic one.
- Uploading a job offer letter instead of a Written Agreement. The board cannot verify supervision scope and rejects the file.
- Paying the fee on a debit card with a daily limit. The criminal-history charge declines and the board pauses review.
- Signing before completing every section. The signature locks the file and forces a withdrawal-and-restart.
- Listing the supervising physician without their license number. The board cannot verify the supervisor and bounces the application.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do create your PALS account with a permanent personal email, because every notice runs through that inbox.
- Do scan every certificate and disposition as a clean PDF, because PALS rejects images over 10 MB.
- Do request transcripts and license verifications at least 6 weeks before submission, because registrars and other state boards run on their own schedules.
- Do keep a spreadsheet of every fee, confirmation number, and upload date, because deficiencies often involve “we never received” disputes.
- Do complete Act 31 training even if you finished similar training in another state, because the board enforces a Pennsylvania-specific course.
- Do apply for the temporary practice permit on the same screen as the main application, because filing it later doubles processing time.
- Don’t use nicknames anywhere on the application, because every name must match SSA and NCCPA records.
- Don’t answer “No” on Box 9 if you have any arrest history, because non-disclosure is its own offense.
- Don’t submit a Written Agreement without prescriptive-authority language, because PAs without that language cannot prescribe.
- Don’t assume the board will email you about missing items, because PALS posts deficiencies in your dashboard first.
- Don’t let the application sit in “In Progress” past 90 days, because PALS purges incomplete files.
- Don’t file with both boards simultaneously, because Pennsylvania treats it as duplicate licensure and rejects both.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Filing alone saves money and gives you direct control over the timeline, but the application’s criminal-history and Written Agreement screens trip up many first-time filers. Filing with help — usually through your employer’s credentialing office or a licensure attorney — costs more but reduces deficiencies.
Pros of Filing on Your Own: – Saves $300 to $1,500 in attorney or service fees. – Gives you direct PALS access, which speeds up responses to deficiency letters. – Builds your familiarity with the board for future renewals. – Avoids the delay of routing documents through a third party. – Keeps sensitive records (criminal history, NPDB) in your control.
Cons of Filing on Your Own: – Higher chance of deficiency letters from formatting and upload errors. – No second set of eyes on Box 9 and Box 10 disclosure language. – No advocate if the board flags your file for hearing. – Steeper learning curve on Pennsylvania-specific rules (Act 31, service codes). – Greater risk of missing the 90-day in-progress window.
Pros of Filing With Help: – Credentialing offices know which Written Agreement language the board accepts. – Attorneys can pre-clear a “Yes” on Box 9 with a board liaison. – Employer credentialers track deficiencies daily. – Reduces overall processing time by 2 to 4 weeks on average. – Provides a record of professional submission for future state licensure.
Cons of Filing With Help: – Costs $300 to $1,500 in fees on top of state fees. – Adds a communication layer that can slow urgent fixes. – May share sensitive personal information with multiple staff. – Some employer credentialers prioritize their own onboarding deadlines over your timeline. – Reduces your hands-on familiarity with PALS for future renewals.
Board of Medicine vs. Board of Osteopathic Medicine
| Feature | What Differs |
|---|---|
| Governing statute | Medical Practice Act of 1985 vs. Osteopathic Medical Practice Act |
| Code chapter | 49 Pa. Code Ch. 18 vs. 49 Pa. Code Ch. 25 |
| Application fee | $45 vs. $35 |
| Supervising physician | MD vs. DO |
| IdentoGO service code | 1KG6XN vs. 1KG6Y3 |
| Written Agreement filing | With board within 30 days vs. with board before practice |
| Renewal cycle | 2 years vs. 2 years (different end-month) |
| Continuing education | 100 hours/cycle vs. 100 hours/cycle, with osteopathic-specific topics |
FAQs
Do I need to pass the PANCE before I apply?
No. You may apply before sitting for the PANCE and request a Temporary Practice Permit, which lets you work under direct supervision for up to 12 months while certification finishes.
Can I hold both a Board of Medicine and Board of Osteopathic Medicine PA license at the same time?
No. Pennsylvania treats it as duplicate licensure. Choose the board that matches your supervising physician’s degree, MD or DO.
Is Act 31 training required even if I completed mandated-reporter training in another state?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires a state-approved Act 31 course. Out-of-state mandated-reporter training does not satisfy the requirement, no matter how recent.
Do I write my maiden name or my married name in Box 1?
Yes, write whichever name appears on your Social Security card and diploma in Box 1, then list every other name in Box 2.
Should I disclose an expunged DUI on Box 9?
Yes. The FBI clearance reveals expunged matters, and non-disclosure is independent grounds for denial under 49 Pa. Code § 16.16.
Do I need a Written Agreement uploaded with my application?
Yes. The board requires a Written Agreement with scope of practice, countersignature schedule, and prescriptive-authority language before issuing the license.
Can a power of attorney sign Box 15 for me?
No. The applicant must e-sign personally under penalty of perjury. POAs and proxies are not accepted.
Is the application fee refundable if my license is denied?
No. The $45 (Medicine) or $35 (Osteopathic) fee covers review, not outcome, and the board does not refund on denial.
Do I list the supervising physician’s office as my residence in Box 6?
No. Box 6 must be a residential street address where you actually live. Listing an office fails the residency cross-check.
Can I use a P.O. Box for my mailing address in Box 5?
Yes. Box 5 accepts a P.O. Box, but Box 6 (residence) must be a physical street address.
Does Pennsylvania accept FBI clearances from another state?
No. Pennsylvania requires its own IdentoGO clearance using a Pennsylvania-specific service code, dated within 90 days of submission.
How long does PALS keep my in-progress application?
No longer than 90 days. After that, PALS purges the file and you must restart, including paying a new fee, so finish within the window.
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