FAQs About PAsPLEASE NOTE: the following information is provided for educational purposes and should not be considered as legal advice. Table of Contents
How do I obtain an Illinois license? Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, Division of Profession Regulations (IDFPR) This is THE site for information regarding the laws, rules, and applications governing PAs in Illinois.
Every PA should go to this site and print out a copy of the PA Practice Act, it is our governing law. Secondly, print out and read the Administrative Rules for the PA. This will assist understanding with an understanding of the law. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) handles all aspects of PA licensing | IDFPR PA Application Form
The “Acceptance of Exam” portion of the application is required for new PAs who have passed their PANCE. The “Restoration” portion of the application is for PAs who wish their license to be restored due to the license expiring. The “Endorsement” portion of the application is for PAs licensed in another state that want to apply for a license in Illinois. Endorsement verifies licensure from another state in the CT part of the application process. I'm currently practicing in another state but am planning on moving to IL, is licensure reciprocal? Illinois licensure is not reciprocal with any other state. If you have a license in another state, you must apply for a license in Illinois from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). If I move to Illinois, do I need to contact the DEA regarding my current DEA license? You must contact the DEA to edit your current Mid Level Controlled Substance License (after you have applied for and received an Illinois license and an Illinois Controlled Substance License Number). You cannot write a prescription for any controlled substance until you have received an updated DEA card. See Helpful Links for additional information and links. How long does it take the Division of Professional Regulations to process my completed Illinois PA license application? It can take 45-60 days to process an application. Please note: it is unlawful to use the title of “Physician Assistant” unless he or she is a qualified holder of a license issued by the department as provided in the PA Practice Act. (225, ILCS 95/10). There are legal penalties if one claims to be a PA before a license is issued. Who may supervise a PA? Does this include a podiatrist or chiropractor? The Illinois PA Practice Act states that only MDs and DOs may supervise PAs in Illinois. Can PAs prescribe medications? PAs can prescribe medications in all 50 states and US territories. In Illinois PAs can prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances. What is the definition of physician supervision in Illinois? PAs always work with a supervising/collaborating physician but the physician need not be personally present at the place where the PA practices medicine. A PA may manage patients and perform procedures he or she is authorized to do without the physician being physically present. However a physician needs to be readily available by telecommunications. Do PAs in Illinois need a written supervisory/collaborative agreement? Yes and No. In Illinois, PAs that work in most settings and prescribe medications require a written supervisory/collaborative agreement. However, there are certain exceptions for hospital based PAs who do not require outside prescription authority. Do PAs in hospitals or hospital affiliates need controlled substance licenses to give medications? When ordering controlled substances for hospitalized patients or writing prescriptions for discharge, a controlled substance license is not necessarily needed. However, this also depends on your hospital bylaws and/or facility policies. Can PAs see their own panel of patients? Yes, PAs can see patients independently and are often considered a patient’s PCP. Can PAs bill/charge for services? Yes, A PA’s employer can submit claims using the PA’s NPI number and list them as the “rendering provider” of services. However, all payments must go directly to the employer who submitted the claim. Payments cannot be made directly to the PA. Does IAPA offer shadow opportunities for students? IAPA does not currently offer PA shadowing opportunities due to HIPAA. Illinois PA Medicaid FAQs |
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