Healthcare Recruiting
Delaware PA License 2026: Physician Assistant Requirements, OTP Authority, and Salary
Delaware physician assistants are licensed by the Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. The state does not require a state-filed supervision agreement for PA practice, giving Delaware PAs broad collaborative autonomy. Delaware's small size and Philadelphia adjacency mean many PAs hold both Delaware and Pennsylvania licenses — particularly those practicing with ChristianaCare, which has campuses in both states.
Practice Model: No Supervision Agreement Required
Delaware PAs establish collaborative relationships with physicians at the institutional level. No filing with the Board of Medical Licensure is required. PAs document their practice settings and collaborating physician relationships internally per their employer's credentialing requirements.
- No state supervision filing: Institutional collaborative arrangements suffice
- Full prescriptive authority: Schedule II–V with DEA registration
- Multi-state practice: Many Delaware PAs also hold PA licenses in Pennsylvania and/or Maryland
Application Requirements
- Active NCCPA certification
- Graduation from ARC-PA accredited program
- DELPROS online application and fee (~$160)
- Background check
- DEA registration (if prescribing controlled substances)
Processing Timeline
The Delaware Board typically processes complete PA applications in 4–6 weeks — among the faster state timelines in the Mid-Atlantic. Total time to practice-ready including DEA: approximately 6–8 weeks.
PA Salary in Delaware (2026)
| Setting | Median Base | Typical Sign-On |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital / Inpatient | $128,000 | $8,000–$18,000 |
| Surgical First-Assist | $138,000 | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $132,000 | $8,000–$18,000 |
| Primary Care / Outpatient | $118,000 | $5,000–$12,000 |
| Coastal / Sussex County | $124,000 | $8,000–$15,000 |
Top PA Employers in Delaware
ChristianaCare (Wilmington and Newark) is by far the state's largest PA employer, with multiple hospital campuses, a network of outpatient practice sites, and a large academic medicine program affiliated with Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. Bayhealth (Kent General in Dover, Milford Memorial) serves central and southern Delaware. Beebe Healthcare (Lewes, Georgetown) anchors the coastal Sussex County market — a growing retirement and vacation community with sustained PA demand. Delaware's lack of a state sales tax and relatively low cost of living (especially compared to neighboring Pennsylvania and New Jersey) adds to the attractiveness of Delaware-based positions.
What We See at Ava Health
Delaware's primary distinctive feature for PA candidates is the Philadelphia orbit — most candidates who take Delaware positions are also credentialing or plan to credential in Pennsylvania (and sometimes Maryland), treating the tri-state area as a single labor market. ChristianaCare is an excellent employer for new PA graduates looking for strong mentorship and subspecialty exposure in a large academic setting.
Related: NP License Delaware 2026, PA Salary by State 2026, Healthcare Recruiting in Delaware 2026.
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