American Academy of Physician Assistants

The American Academy of PAs (AAPA) is the national professional society for PAs in the United States. It represents approximately 148,500 certified PAs (physician assistants) across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, all U.S. territories and within the uniformed services.
AAPA advocates and educates on behalf of the profession and the patients PAs serve. It works to ensure the professional growth, personal excellence and recognition of PAs and to enhance PAs’ ability to improve the quality, accessibility and cost-effectiveness of patient-centered healthcare.
History.
The American Association of PAs (later to become the American Academy of PAs) was established and incorporated in the state of North Carolina in 1968. The membership consisted of the first students and graduates (in 1967) of the Duke University PA program, the first such program.
In 1973, the organization had 300 members and established joint national headquarters in Washington, D.C. with the Association of PA Programs (APAP), which is now the PA Education Association (PAEA). The headquarters moved to Arlington, Va. in the late 1970s and then to Alexandria, Va. in 1988.
Members.
PAs who are graduates of PA educational programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the PA (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor agencies are eligible for fellow membership in AAPA. Other membership categories include:
Leadership.
Volunteer leaders (elected and appointed) and paid staff serve the profession from the national office headquarters in Alexandria, Va. and other U.S. locations.
Divisions.
There are two additional divisions of AAPA.