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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