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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