PAs are licensed to practice in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Certification for PAs is obtained by passing The Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE), which is conferred by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). All states require passing the PANCE to be eligible for licensure and only graduates from accredited or provisionally accredited programs are eligible to take the PANCE.

In Illinois, PA licensure is administered by the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation. See Department of Professional Regulation (DPR) for specific information regarding Illinois licensing regulations for PAs.