Foreign Medical Graduates Can Become Physician Assistants in NY

Foreign medical graduates who want to become physician assistants in New York can do so by completing a few simple steps. First, they must obtain a degree from a PA program that is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician assistant (ARC-PA). Second, they must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Finally, they must apply for licensure with the New York State Education Department.

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Introduction

Medical school graduates from other countries who wish to become physician assistants (PAs) in New York must first obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. They must then complete an accredited PA program, pass the national certifying examination, and obtain a license from the New York State Education Department.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to become a physician assistant in New York, foreign medical graduates must:

-Have a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the country where they received their medical degree
-Have completed all USMLE or COMLEX steps required for ECFMG certification
-Have completed a residency approved by the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions
-Be proficient in English

The Application Process

In order to be eligible to apply to a PA program in New York, you must:

-Have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

-Have completed all prerequisite coursework with a “C” grade or higher

-Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended to CASPA

-Take the GRE within five years of the date of your application submission and achieve the following minimum scores: verbal reasoning – 153; quantitative reasoning -144; analytical writing – 4.0

-Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate coursework (OR a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester hours/90 quarter hours of undergraduate coursework)

It is important to note that you must have your bachelor’s degree conferred prior to matriculation into the PA program.

The Exam

Since becoming a physician assistant (PA) requires completing an accredited PA program and passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), foreign medical graduates may question if they are eligible to become PAs. While requirements vary by state, New York is unique in that it allows foreign medical graduates to become PAs as long as they meet certain criteria.

To be eligible to take the PANCE in New York, an applicant must have completed:
-A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or its equivalent from a foreign institution
-A PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
-The Federation of State Medical Boards’ (FSMB) Uniformed Services Credentialing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1 and 2 or their equivalents

In addition, foreign medical graduates must have one year of clinical experience in an accredited PA program or residency training in the United States prior to taking the PANCE. Once all requirements have been met, candidates can register for and take the PANCE.

The Interview

The interview is one of the most important aspects of the foreign medical graduate’s journey to becoming a physician assistant in New York. This is the time when you will be asked questions about your motivations, your experience, and your qualifications. It is also the time when you will be able to ask the interviewer questions about the program and the profession.

The interview is an opportunity for you to show that you are a good fit for the program and that you are committed to becoming a physician assistant. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your interview:

– Do your research: Review the job description and research the company beforehand. This will help you understand what they are looking for in a candidate and give you an opportunity to prepare thoughtful questions.
– Be yourself: In order to make a good impression, it is important to be genuine and authentic. The interviewers are looking for candidates who are passionate about becoming physician assistants and who will fit in well with the program.
– Be prepared to answer questions about your motivation for wanting to become a physician assistant: This is one of the most common questions asked in an interview. Be honest and explain what has led you to this decision. Discuss your experience working with patients and your commitment to providing quality care.
– Be prepared to answer questions about your qualifications: The interviewers will want to know why you believe you are qualified for the position. Be sure to review your resume and cover letter beforehand so that you can highlight relevant experience and skills.
– Ask thoughtful questions: Asking thoughtful questions shows that you are truly interested in the position and that you have done your research. Some good questions to ask include: “What type of training will I receive?”, “What are the expectations for physician assistants in this program?”, or “What challenges do recent graduates face when they begin practicing?”

The Clinical Rotation

Graduating from an accredited foreign medical school does not exempt one from having to complete a clinical rotation in the United States. New York is one of the states that require this type of training before someone can be licensed to practice as a physician assistant.

The Residency

Nearly all states require foreign medical graduates (FMGs) to complete a postgraduate training program, called a residency, before they can be licensed to practice medicine. In New York, you must complete at least two years of accredited postgraduate training in the United States or Canada before you can apply for licensure. If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must also obtain a visa that allows you to stay and work in the United States for the duration of your residency.

The Licensing Exam

In order to become a licensed physician assistant in New York, foreign medical graduates must first pass the licensing exam. This exam is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The NCCPA is the only accrediting body for physician assistants in the United States. Once you have passed the NCCPA exam, you will be eligible to apply for a license from the New York State Department of Health.

The Job Search

Foreign medical graduates (FMGs) who want to become physician assistants (PAs) in New York have a few things working in their favor. First, PAs are in high demand in the state. In fact, the New York State Department of Labor projects that the number of PA jobs will increase by 27% between 2016 and 2026. Second, New York is one of only a few states that allow FMGs to take the PA licensing exam.

While the path to becoming a PA in New York may be somewhat easier for FMGs than it is for other foreign-trained medical professionals, it’s still not going to be easy. Here are a few things you need to do to increase your chances of success:

1. Get your credentials evaluated. You need to have your credentials evaluated by an accredited credentials evaluation service before you can apply to take the PA licensing exam. The CGFNS International is one organization that provides this service.

2. Take and pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The USMLE is a three-part examination that all medical students must take in order to be eligible for licensure in the United States. FMGs who want to become PAs in New York must pass all three parts of the exam before they can apply for a license.

3. Apply for a license from the New York State Education Department’s Office of Professions. Once you have your USMLE scores and your credential evaluation report, you can apply for a PA license from the New York State Education Department’s Office of Professions. The application fee is $355 and you will need to submit copies of your transcripts, credential evaluation report, and USMLE scores as part of your application package.

4. Take and pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Once you have been licensed by the state of New York, you can then take the PANCE, which is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). You must pass this exam before you can begin practicing as a PA in New York state.

Conclusion

With the right credentials and a little extra effort, foreign medical graduates can become physician assistants in New York. The process may be challenging, but it is possible to achieve your dream of becoming a PA in the Empire State.