Physician Assistants
Physician Assistants (PAs) are an important and growing part of the health care team in Canada, working within physician-led, collaborative care models to support access to medical services. In Prince Edward Island, PA practice and registration are overseen through regulatory frameworks that ensure safe, competent, and supervised care within clearly defined professional standards.
PAs are required to practise under the supervision of a registered physician. The Supervisor must hold General Registration, who is approved by the College. The supervising physician maintains overall responsibility for delegation and clinical oversight. A PA’s scope of practice is not fixed and will vary depending on the supervising physician’s scope, as well as the PA’s individual education, training, experience, and demonstrated competence. Within this framework, PAs may contribute to patient care through activities such as taking medical histories, performing physical examinations, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and assisting in procedures, always under appropriate physician direction.
In Prince Edward Island, regulation ensures that PAs meet defined standards of knowledge, skill, and judgment, and are authorized to use the protected title “Physician Assistant” or “PA” only when properly registered. PAs must not use titles or descriptions that imply they are independently qualified medical practitioners.
Applicants are required to complete a formal application process through our member portal. Additional registration requirements include identity verification, criminal record screening, certificates of professional conduct, proof of professional liability coverage, demonstration of English language proficiency and evidence of recent clinical practise (“currency of practice”) requiring 450 clinical hours within the last 3 years. All applications must meet established eligibility criteria, and registration is only granted when all requirements are met.
In addition to registration requirements, registrants are expected to adhere to established professional standards and ethical guidelines. These standards define the minimum expectations for clinical care, professional conduct, and administrative responsibilities. Registrants are expected to remain current with these standards and apply them across all aspects of practice, including both clinical and non-clinical duties.
PA practice must be governed by a formal supervisory relationship, including an approved practice description outlining the PA’s duties and scope within the clinical setting. This ensures that all delegated medical acts are performed appropriately and in accordance with regulatory expectations. While employment may precede application, authorization to practise requires both regulatory approval and an active supervisory arrangement.
PAs are expected to practise in accordance with professional standards, including providing safe and competent care within their scope, collaborating effectively with supervising physicians and health care teams, respecting patient confidentiality and privacy legislation, maintaining accurate and timely clinical documentation, and upholding appropriate professional boundaries.
PAs are also expected to comply with all applicable legislation governing health information privacy and clinical practice in Prince Edward Island. They are required to maintain ongoing professional development and adhere to regulatory expectations throughout their registration.
Following registration, Physician Assistants are required to maintain ongoing professional development through participation in approved continuing professional development (CPD) programs and must renew their registration annually to remain in good standing.