Healthcare Recruiting
Virginia PA License 2026: Physician Assistant Requirements, OTP Authority, and Salary
Virginia physician assistants practice under Optimal Team Practice (OTP) authority — no supervision agreement needs to be filed with the Virginia Board of Medicine. Northern Virginia's proximity to Washington DC, Richmond's academic health systems, and Hampton Roads' military-affiliated healthcare create three distinct PA employment corridors with different compensation profiles.
Practice Model: Optimal Team Practice (OTP)
- No supervision agreement required to be filed with the Virginia Board of Medicine
- Collaborative terms determined at the practice/employer level
- Prescriptive authority for Schedule II–V included (DEA registration required separately)
- Northern Virginia market reflects DC metro compensation premiums
Application Requirements
- Active NCCPA certification
- Accredited PA program graduation verification
- Background check via Virginia DHP
- Application fee ~$302
Processing Timeline
6–8 weeks typical; approximately 8 weeks total with concurrent DEA.
PA Salary in Virginia (2026)
| Setting | Median Base | Typical Sign-On |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital / Inpatient (Northern Virginia) | $130,000 | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Hospital / Inpatient (Richmond) | $122,000 | $8,000–$16,000 |
| Surgical First-Assist | $136,000 | $10,000–$22,000 |
| Primary Care / Outpatient | $115,000 | $5,000–$15,000 |
Top PA Employers in Virginia
Inova Health System (Northern Virginia — Fairfax and Falls Church, 5 hospitals, DC-adjacent premium market), VCU Health (Richmond academic flagship — Level I trauma, oncology), Sentara Healthcare (Norfolk/Hampton Roads — 12 hospitals), and Carilion Clinic (Roanoke — rural reach into SW Virginia) are the dominant systems. Rural Virginia carries HPSA loan repayment eligibility throughout Appalachian and Southside Virginia.
What We See at Ava Health
Virginia's three-corridor market means salary benchmarks vary widely. Northern Virginia commands DC-metro premiums with Inova's competitive packages. VCU's academic programs and Sentara's volume create strong Hampton Roads demand. Rural SW Virginia has persistent PA shortages with NHSC loan repayment eligibility.
Related: NP License Virginia 2026, PA Salary by State 2026, Healthcare Recruiting in Virginia 2026.
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