Becoming a physician assistant (PA) in Canada is an increasingly popular path for healthcare professionals, including internationally educated doctors and clinicians, to continue their medical careers. Physician assistants are skilled medical practitioners who work under a supervising physician to perform exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, assist in surgery and prescribe medications, thereby extending physician services and improving patient access to care.
Canada’s healthcare system is embracing PAs to fill shortages – the profession is now established in many provinces’ public health systems, especially Ontario, which has led the way in training and integrating PAs. However, regulation and recognition of the PA role vary across the country. This article explains how to become a physician assistant in Canada through the regulated pathway (focusing on Ontario), from credential recognition and education to certification and employment. It also provides the latest insights on physician assistant salary in Canada and offers guidance for internationally trained professionals, including support options for financing your journey.
Credential recognition and eligibility for internationally educated professionals
Eligibility requirements: Internationally educated health professionals must meet key eligibility criteria before pursuing the physician assistant route in Canada. First, you must hold Canadian immigration status – PA programs require applicants to be either Canadian citizens or permanent residents. If you are not yet a citizen or PR, you will need to obtain this status before applying, as Canadian PA schools do not admit international students. Second, you need a strong academic background. All accredited PA programs in Canada require post-secondary education (at minimum two years of university study, and most often a completed four-year bachelor’s degree) with a solid GPA and prerequisite coursework in subjects like human anatomy, physiology and biochemistry (Full PDF here by CAPA). If you earned your degree outside Canada, your foreign credentials must be formally evaluated for Canadian equivalence. For example, Ontario’s PA programs require international transcripts to be assessed by World Education Services (WES) with a course-by-course evaluation to verify your education meets Canadian standards. Additionally, if English (or French, in certain programs) is not your first language, you may need to demonstrate language proficiency through an approved test.
Credential recognition: It’s important to note that previous medical training or titles from abroad do not shorten the PA pathway. Even if you are an international medical graduate (IMG) or have practiced as a physician overseas, you are still required to complete a Canadian PA program in full – there are no advanced standing or “skip ahead” options based on foreign credentials. Your prior education and experience can certainly be assets (and some PA programs, such as the University of Toronto’s, give weight to patient-care experience in the admissions process), but you must still meet all the standard requirements and be accepted into a PA training program. Before applying, ensure you have all necessary documents in order, such as validated transcripts, proof of degree equivalency, and any required entrance exams or reference letters. Taking these steps will establish your eligibility and set the stage for the next phase of how to become a physician assistant in Canada.
Educational and licensing pathways to become a physician assistant
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you can embark on the formal educational and licensing pathway to become a PA. In Canada, this pathway is structured and regulated, especially in Ontario and other provinces that have established the profession. Here are the typical steps:
- Complete the required pre-medical education: Ensure you have the necessary undergraduate education and prerequisites. Most candidates have a science-related bachelor’s degree (or equivalent). For example, Canadian PA programs commonly require a four-year undergraduate degree with courses in anatomy, physiology and related sciences. A competitive GPA (often 3.0 or higher) is expected, and many applicants exceed the minimum with additional degrees or higher grades. Some programs also look for health care experience or volunteer work in a clinical setting as part of their admissions criteria.
- Apply to an accredited Canadian PA program: Canada currently has five accredited physician assistant education programs, including two in Ontario (at McMaster University and the Consortium of PA Education through the University of Toronto/Northern Ontario School of Medicine), as well as programs in Manitoba, Alberta and Nova Scotia. Admission is highly competitive – for instance, McMaster’s PA program receives hundreds of applications for only 24 seats. You will need to submit an application through the appropriate portal (Ontario uses OUAC for its PA programs) by the deadline, including transcripts (and WES evaluations for international credentials), reference letters, a personal statement or essay, and evidence of any required experience or English language test results. If you meet the initial criteria, you may be invited to an interview (often a multiple-mini-interview format) as the final step in the admissions process.
- Complete the Physician Assistant program: Once admitted, you will undertake an intensive, two-year PA training program. These programs are modelled on medical education and condensed into 24 months. The first year typically covers didactic coursework in medical sciences and clinical medicine in a classroom or online setting. The second year consists of clinical rotations in various disciplines – for example, family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, emergency, pediatrics, and more – totalling over 2,000 hours of clinical training under supervision. Throughout this training, you will learn to conduct patient histories and physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, formulate treatment plans, assist in surgeries and perform procedures within the scope of practice of a PA. By the end of the program, you will have a breadth of generalist medical training preparing you to work in different areas of medicine.
- Earn certification as a PA: After graduating from an accredited PA program, you must pass the national certification exam administered by the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC) to earn your Canadian Certified Physician Assistant (CCPA) designation. (Graduates of U.S. PA programs who hold the PA-C credential from the US are also eligible to write the Canadian exam or may be recognized via reciprocity in some cases.) Certification is a crucial step – it demonstrates you have met national standards of competence. As of April 2025, new regulations in Ontario and elsewhere require PAs to be certified in order to practice. Once you pass the exam, you can use the CCPA title and proceed to seek licensure or registration in the province where you plan to work.
- Register and obtain licensure to practice: As of April 1, 2025, physician assistants (PAs) in Ontario are formally regulated under the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). This means that to legally practise as a PA in Ontario, you must register with the CPSO and meet all regulatory requirements, including holding the Canadian Certified Physician Assistant (CCPA) designation and being in good standing with the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC). This regulation ensures that PAs are accountable to the same standards of professionalism and public safety as physicians. The CPSO now oversees registration, complaints, investigations and discipline for physician assistants. New applicants must apply through the CPSO’s online portal and submit documentation such as proof of certification, professional liability insurance and a criminal background check. Outside Ontario, the regulation of PAs continues to vary. Manitoba remains the only other province where PAs are fully regulated by a professional college. In provinces such as Alberta, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, PAs typically practise under delegated authority and are registered or overseen by the provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons. Some provinces, such as Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, are still in early pilot phases and have limited formal registration pathways. Given these differences, internationally trained professionals aiming to become a physician assistant in Canada are often best positioned to begin their careers in provinces like Ontario, where the profession is now fully regulated, clearly defined and supported by strong public healthcare integration.
By following these steps – completing an accredited education, obtaining national certification, and meeting provincial registration requirements – you will be qualified to work as a physician assistant in Canada. It’s a challenging journey, but for many internationally trained professionals, it offers a rewarding way to continue a medical career within the Canadian healthcare system.
Physician assistant salary in Canada
One of the common questions is how rewarding the physician assistant career is financially. Physician assistant salary in Canada is attractive, reflecting the high level of responsibility and skills PAs bring to healthcare teams. While earnings vary by province and experience level, recent data provides insight into what PAs can expect to earn:
- National wage data: According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, PAs earn a median wage of about $42.00 per hour nationally. This equates to roughly $80,000–$90,000 per year for full-time work. Entry-level or training positions may start around $20–$25/hour, while experienced PAs can earn $60/hour or more, depending on the role and region.
- Average annual salary: A 2024 survey by the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA) found the average annual salary for a Canadian PA is approximately $125,000. Many PAs in established jurisdictions (with over five years of integration, such as Ontario, Manitoba or Alberta) report salaries in the six-figure range, reflecting greater experience and scope of practice. In fact, most physician assistants in Canada earn between $95,000 and $120,000 per year as of. Salaries tend to be highest in provinces where the PA role has existed the longest – for example, Ontario PAs had an average salary around $148,000 in a recent report, which may include those in senior or specialized positions.
- Factors influencing pay: PA compensation can depend on the employment setting (hospital vs. clinic), geographic location, years of experience and additional skills. Some PAs are salaried employees, while others are paid hourly. Benefits such as overtime, shift differentials, and on-call pay can significantly increase total earnings for those who work in acute care settings. Overall, the physician assistant Canada salary compares very well to other advanced healthcare roles, and as the profession grows, compensation packages remain competitive to attract and retain talentcapa-acam.ca.
It’s worth noting that PAs in Canada not only find the remuneration rewarding but also benefit from evolving career prospects – new PA positions are being created as more provinces recognize and regulate this profession. Staying certified and active in the national association (CAPA) can help PAs negotiate fair salaries and keep abreast of job market trends.
In summary, physician assistants in Canada typically enjoy comfortable six-figure incomes after a few years of experience, with exact salaries varying by region. This makes the PA career a financially and professionally rewarding option for internationally trained healthcare professionals transitioning to the Canadian system.
How Windmill Microlending can support your journey
At Windmill Microlending, we understand that the pathway to becoming a physician assistant in Canada involves significant financial and professional commitment, especially for internationally educated healthcare professionals. That’s why we offer low-interest loans of up to $15,000 to help cover the cost of credential recognition, bridging programs, exam fees, tuition and licensing expenses.
As a national non-profit focused exclusively on supporting skilled immigrants and refugees, we go beyond financing. Our clients also benefit from career coaching, financial planning tools and mentorship opportunities—resources designed to help you navigate the Canadian healthcare system with confidence and clarity.
Whether you're preparing for a two-year physician assistant program or gearing up for certification requirements, Windmill is here to help you move forward. With our support, you can unlock your professional potential and begin making a meaningful impact in Canada’s healthcare system.
