In just a few weeks, CPSO will begin regulating physician assistants (PAs) in Ontario under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and the Medicine Act, 1991. As of April 1, 2025, PAs must be registered with CPSO to continue practising with the title of “physician assistant” or “PA” in the province.
Below you will find information responding to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about PA regulation. We encourage you to read the FAQs on our website for more information on PA registration, delegation, and more.
PAs will continue to practise via delegation from a physician
The relationship between physicians and PAs, anchored in the delegation framework, will not change as a result of PA regulation. The framework is well-established and has worked effectively for many years. Delegation allows a regulated health professional (e.g., a physician) who is authorized to perform a controlled act to grant that authority to another person (whether regulated or unregulated) who is not legally authorized to perform the act independently. Delegation is not required for tasks that are not controlled acts (e.g., taking a patient’s history).
PAs can only perform controlled acts through delegation and with appropriate supervision by a physician, as set out in CPSO’s Delegation of Controlled Acts policy. Further guidance can be found in the accompanying Advice to the Profession document.
PAs’ scope of practice will not change
A PA’s scope of practice will reflect their supervising physician’s scope of practice and is determined by the PA’s own knowledge, skill, and judgment. This means that each PA’s scope of practice will vary according to a number of factors, including the individual’s education, training and experience.
PAs will be required to participate in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program
Regulations require PAs to participate in a program of CPD and that PAs shall, each year, provide to CPSO proof of their participation that is satisfactory to CPSO.
PAs are required to complete the CPD requirements set by their certifying body, which is either the:
- Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC); or
- National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
PAs must obtain appropriate professional liability insurance
All regulated health-care professionals, including PAs, must have professional liability protection. PAs are required to hold at least $10 million in professional liability insurance issued by a company licensed to carry on business in the province.
Physicians, institutions, and PAs will have reporting requirements
Effective April 1, PAs will become regulated members under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA). As such, any requirement under the RHPA to report a member of a College, or for a member of a College to make a report, will include PAs. More information about reporting requirements can be found in the Guide to Legal Reporting Requirements.
If you have further questions, please contact us at inquiries@cpso.on.ca or contact an Advisor at 416-967-2617.
