How a PA License Suspension Works
A physician assistant license suspension is a temporary removal of your right to practice. Unlike revocation, which is permanent, suspension has an end date — you can petition to get your license back once you meet the conditions set by your state medical board. During the suspension period, you cannot legally work as a PA, bill for PA services, or supervise physician assistant students.
The state medical board that issued your license is the only body that can suspend it. Each state has its own medical board (sometimes called a board of medicine or department of health), and they set the grounds for suspension, the length, and what you must do to restore it. A suspension typically lasts from a few months to several years, depending on the reason and the board's decision.
Suspension is different from other disciplinary actions. A reprimand stays on your record but does not stop you from working. A probation lets you keep practicing but under conditions — like mandatory supervision or continuing education. A suspension stops you entirely until the board lifts it.
Key Takeaways
- A PA license suspension is temporary and issued by your state medical board; you can work toward reinstatement once you meet the board's conditions.
- Common reasons for suspension include unpaid licensing fees, failure to complete continuing education, criminal conviction, substance abuse, or patient harm.
- You will receive written notice of the suspension, the reason, the length, and what steps are required for reinstatement.
- During suspension, you cannot legally practice as a PA, and working anyway can result in criminal charges and permanent revocation.
- Reinstatement usually requires paying fees, completing additional education or treatment, and submitting a formal petition to the board.
Common Reasons Your PA License Gets Suspended
The most common reason is failure to pay licensing fees or renew your license on time. Most states require PAs to renew every one to three years and pay a renewal fee. If you miss the important date or the payment bounces, the board will suspend your license automatically. This is usually the easiest suspension to resolve — you pay the overdue fee plus a late penalty, and the board reinstates you within days.
Failure to complete continuing medical education (CME) is another frequent trigger. States require PAs to earn a set number of CME credits during each renewal period — typically 36 to 50 hours per year, depending on the state. If you do not complete them by the renewal important date, the board will not renew your license and may suspend it if you continue to practice.
Criminal conviction — even outside medicine — can lead to suspension. A felony conviction, a misdemeanor involving dishonesty or violence, or a conviction related to drugs or alcohol will trigger board review. The board may suspend your license pending a hearing, or suspend it permanently depending on the crime and how long ago it occurred.
Patient harm or negligence also results in suspension. This includes performing procedures outside your scope of practice, failing to obtain informed consent, prescribing medication incorrectly, or abandoning a patient. The board may suspend your license when ready while investigating, and the suspension may become permanent if the board finds the harm was serious or intentional.
Substance abuse — alcohol or drugs — is grounds for suspension. If you are arrested for driving under the influence, fail a drug test at work, or self-report an addiction, the board will typically suspend your license and require you to complete a treatment program and pass random drug tests before reinstatement.
The Suspension Notice and Your Rights
When the board decides to suspend your license, you will receive a formal written notice. This notice must include the reason for suspension, the effective date, the length of the suspension (or the conditions for reinstatement if there is no set end date), and your right to request a hearing. Read this notice carefully and keep it — you will need it to prove your suspension status to employers and insurers.
You have the right to a hearing before the board in most cases, unless the suspension is automatic (like for unpaid fees). A hearing is your chance to present evidence, call witnesses, and argue why the suspension should not happen or should be shorter. You can represent yourself or hire a lawyer who specializes in medical board cases. Request the hearing in writing within the timeframe stated in the notice — usually 10 to 30 days.
If you do not request a hearing, or if the board upholds the suspension after a hearing, you can appeal to the state court system. An appeal is expensive and time-consuming, but it is your right if you believe the board acted without evidence or violated your due process rights. Most appeals fail, but they can delay the suspension while the case is pending.
What You Cannot Do During Suspension
During suspension, you cannot practice medicine as a PA under any circumstances. This means you cannot see patients, write prescriptions, order tests, perform procedures, or bill for any PA services — even if a supervising physician is present. Working as a PA while suspended is practicing medicine without a license, which is a crime in every state and can result in criminal charges, fines, and jail time.
You also cannot use the title "physician assistant" or "PA" in any professional context. You cannot list yourself as a PA on a website, resume, or business card. You cannot supervise PA students or residents. You cannot work in a role that requires a PA license, even if the day-to-day work seems like it does not involve patient care.
Some suspended PAs find work in non-clinical roles — medical writing, consulting, research, or administration — that do not require a license. Check with your state board before taking any job to confirm it does not violate the terms of your suspension.
Steps to Get Your License Reinstated
The path to reinstatement depends on why your license was suspended. For unpaid fees or missed CME, the process is straightforward: pay the overdue amount, complete the missing credits, and submit a reinstatement petition. The board will review it and usually reinstate you within two to four weeks.
For suspensions related to patient harm, criminal conviction, or substance abuse, reinstatement is longer and more involved. You will typically need to:
- Complete any required treatment or education program (such as substance abuse treatment, ethics training, or a clinical skills refresher).
- Provide documentation that you have completed the program and met all conditions.
- Pass any required exams or evaluations — some boards require you to retake the PA exam or pass a clinical competency test.
- Submit a formal reinstatement petition to the board, usually with letters of support from colleagues or supervisors.
- Attend a reinstatement hearing if the board requires one.
- Pay reinstatement fees, which vary by state but often range from $200 to $1,000.
The entire process can take six months to two years, depending on the reason for suspension and how quickly you complete the requirements. Start gathering documentation and completing requirements as soon as you receive the suspension notice — do not wait until you are ready to petition.
How Suspension Affects Your Career and Finances
A suspension stops your income when ready. You cannot work as a PA, and most employers will not hire you for any role that requires a license. If you were employed when suspended, your employer will likely terminate you or place you on unpaid leave. Some employers will hold your job if the suspension is short and you are working toward reinstatement, but this is not may provide.
Your malpractice insurance will not cover you during suspension, and you may lose your policy entirely if the suspension lasts more than a few months. When you are reinstated, you will have to reapply for coverage, and your premiums may be higher because of the suspension on your record.
A suspension also appears on the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), a federal database that hospitals, insurers, and employers check when hiring or credentialing. Even after reinstatement, the suspension record stays on the NPDB for seven years. This can make it harder to find work, get hired at certain hospitals, or obtain certain positions, even though you are legally allowed to practice again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a PA in another state while my license is suspended in my home state?
No. Each state has its own medical board and its own license, but most states check the NPDB and will see your suspension. Many states will not issue a new license to someone with an active suspension in another state. Even if you could get licensed elsewhere, working while under suspension in your original state may violate the terms of the suspension and result in criminal charges.
What happens if I work as a PA while my license is suspended?
You are practicing medicine without a license, which is a felony in most states. You can be arrested, fined thousands of dollars, and jailed. The board will likely revoke your license permanently instead of just suspending it. Your malpractice insurance will not cover you, so you are personally liable for any patient harm. Do not work as a PA during suspension under any circumstances.
How long does reinstatement take after I meet all the requirements?
It varies by state and reason for suspension. For unpaid fees or missed CME, reinstatement can happen within two to four weeks. For more serious suspensions, the board may take two to three months to review your petition and schedule a hearing. Once the board votes to reinstate, you usually receive your license back within one to two weeks.
Will a suspension show up on background checks after I am reinstated?
Yes. The suspension stays on the NPDB for seven years, and employers, hospitals, and insurers can see it when they run a background check. After seven years, it is removed from the NPDB, but it may still appear on your state medical board's public record. Being transparent about the suspension and showing what you did to resolve it helps when explore for jobs or credentialing.
Can I get my suspension expunged or removed from my record?
Not in the way you might hope. You cannot erase a suspension from your record, but you can petition the board to remove it from the public record after a certain period — usually five to ten years after reinstatement, depending on the state. This is rare and requires showing that you have been in good standing since reinstatement. Talk to a lawyer who handles medical board cases if you want to explore this option.