Legislation to license physician assistant practice in New Jersey was passed
and signed into law in January, 1992; prescriptive privileges were adopted in
1998. In every state, PAs may be utilized in any health care setting under the
supervision of a licensed physician, and all 50 states have legislated prescriptive
privileges. In January, 2005, the New Jersey legislature passed a bill authorizing
PAs to prescribe controlled substances.
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts a 50%
increase in the number of PAs by the year 2014,
exceeding the national average for job growth.
The PA Program maintains an extensive job
listing to assist graduates in obtaining
employment. PA salaries differ according to
location, practice setting, specialty, and level
of responsibility. Currently, starting salaries
for PAs average $73,013. For all PAs nationwide,
the average salary is $86,214.
