Healthcare Recruiting
Maryland PA License 2026: Physician Assistant Requirements, Supervision, and Salary
Maryland physician assistants are licensed by the Maryland Board of Physicians. The state requires PA practice under physician supervision, with oversight managed through institutional credentialing frameworks. Maryland's healthcare market is defined by its position in the Baltimore-Washington corridor — Johns Hopkins Medicine and the University of Maryland Medical System are two of the nation's most prestigious academic employers, and MedStar Health bridges the Maryland and DC markets. Proximity to Washington, DC drives above-average PA compensation across the state.
Practice Model: Supervision Required
Maryland PAs practice under physician supervision with the arrangement documented through the employing organization. The Maryland Board of Physicians requires that supervising physician relationships be established and documented before PA practice, though the specific filing requirements differ from states with formal state-submitted supervision agreements.
- Supervision required: Documented through institutional credentialing process
- Prescriptive authority: Schedule II–V with DEA registration
- DC proximity: Many Maryland PAs also hold DC PA licenses for cross-jurisdiction practice
Application Requirements
- Active NCCPA certification
- Graduation from ARC-PA accredited program
- Maryland Board of Physicians application and ~$200 fee
- Background check
- DEA registration (separate)
Processing Timeline
The Maryland Board of Physicians processes complete PA applications in 6–8 weeks. Total time to practice-ready including DEA: approximately 8–10 weeks.
PA Salary in Maryland (2026)
| Setting | Median Base | Typical Sign-On |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital / Inpatient (Baltimore) | $128,000 | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Surgical First-Assist | $140,000 | $10,000–$22,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $135,000 | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Primary Care / Outpatient | $120,000 | $5,000–$15,000 |
| Academic / Research (Hopkins / UMMC) | $132,000 | $5,000–$15,000 |
Top PA Employers in Maryland
Johns Hopkins Medicine (Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Bayview, Sibley Memorial, Howard County General, Suburban Hospital) is the state's most prestigious PA employer — subspecialty and research PA roles here attract national competition. University of Maryland Medical System (UMMC flagship, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma, UM Capital Region, and 12+ hospitals statewide) is a major academic and community PA employer. MedStar Health (Union Memorial, Good Samaritan, Franklin Square, and DC-area hospitals) bridges Maryland and DC for PA practice across both jurisdictions. Luminis Health (formerly AAMC — Annapolis and Easton) anchors the greater Annapolis and Eastern Shore market. University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown serves Baltimore's safety-net population with NHSC-eligible positions.
What We See at Ava Health
Maryland's prestige factor — Johns Hopkins especially — creates a highly competitive academic PA market. Candidates with fellowship training, subspecialty experience, or research backgrounds compete nationally for Hopkins positions. Community hospital and general inpatient PA roles at MedStar and UMMS are more accessible. Eastern Shore Maryland (Easton, Salisbury) has rural shortage dynamics and NHSC eligibility despite being only 90 minutes from Baltimore.
Related: NP License Maryland 2026, PA Salary by State 2026, Healthcare Recruiting in Maryland 2026.
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