California PA programs face challenges amid recent closures and workforce needs

The Physician Assistant Board Meeting held on April 21, 2025, focused on the current status and future of Physician Assistant (PA) programs in California. The meeting began with a report highlighting the existence of six provisionally accredited PA programs and four developing programs across the state. The geographical distribution of these programs was noted, with 15 located in Southern California, four in the Bay Area, and one in the Central Valley.

The report also addressed the recent closure of two PA programs: California State University, Monterey Bay, and the University of La Verne. It was mentioned that students from the La Verne program have been absorbed into the Loma Linda University PA program. Currently, the annual enrollment capacity across California's 20 PA programs is nearly 1,000 students, with an average of 48 students per cohort. Planned expansions could increase this capacity to approximately 1,100 students annually.

The board acknowledged the significant number of licensed PAs in California, now totaling around 19,000, making it the second-largest population of PAs in the country. A board member raised concerns about the lack of PA programs in the Central Coast region, highlighting a healthcare gap. While there is one provisionally accredited program at A.T. Still University, the closure of the Monterey Bay program has left a void that has not yet been addressed.

The meeting transitioned to a legislative update presented by Ms. Dillon, who emphasized the importance of understanding the board's positions on various legislative bills. She encouraged board members to discuss any amendments or positions they would like to communicate to legislative staff.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges and developments within California's PA education landscape, particularly the need for more programs to meet healthcare demands in underserved areas. The board's discussions will likely influence future initiatives aimed at addressing these gaps in healthcare education and access.