Healthcare Recruiting
Tennessee PA License 2026: Physician Assistant Requirements, Supervision, and Salary
Tennessee physician assistants must file a supervision agreement with the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners (TNBME) before practicing. Processing takes 8–10 weeks. Nashville is the dominant PA employer market — anchored by Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the sprawling HCA Healthcare system headquartered there. Memphis adds significant volume through Methodist Le Bonheur and Regional One Health.
Practice Model: Supervision Required
- Written supervision agreement required — filed with and approved by TNBME
- Supervising physician must be licensed in Tennessee
- Scope of practice defined in filed agreement
- PA may prescribe Schedule II–V controlled substances with DEA registration and approved agreement
- Tennessee has no state income tax on wages — significant net compensation advantage
Application Requirements
- Active NCCPA certification
- Accredited PA program graduation verification
- Supervision agreement filed and approved
- Background check via TNBME
- Application fee ~$150
Processing Timeline
8–10 weeks typical; supervision agreement review may add 2 weeks. Total with DEA approximately 10 weeks.
PA Salary in Tennessee (2026)
| Setting | Median Base | Typical Sign-On |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital / Inpatient (Nashville) | $120,000 | $8,000–$18,000 |
| Hospital / Inpatient (Memphis) | $115,000 | $6,000–$16,000 |
| Surgical First-Assist (HCA-affiliated) | $130,000 | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Primary Care / Outpatient | $108,000 | $5,000–$12,000 |
Top PA Employers in Tennessee
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville academic flagship — major surgical PA programs), HCA Healthcare (headquartered in Nashville — TriStar Health division), Ascension Saint Thomas (Nashville), Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (Memphis), and Regional One Health (Level I trauma, Memphis) are the dominant employers. Rural Tennessee carries HPSA loan repayment eligibility in multiple counties.
What We See at Ava Health
Tennessee's no-income-tax structure and Nashville's rapid growth make TN one of the most attractive supervision-required states net-of-tax. Vanderbilt and HCA both run structured PA development pipelines. Memphis has persistent PA shortages in trauma and surgical specialties at competitive packages.
Related: NP License Tennessee 2026, PA Salary by State 2026, Healthcare Recruiting in Tennessee 2026.
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