| Aspect | Physician Assistant Intern | Physician Assistant |
|---|
| Credentials | Typically enrolled in or recently completed PA program, may have limited certification | Licensed and certified with NCCPA certification |
| Work Environment | Supervised clinical rotations, training settings | Independent practice under supervision, clinical settings |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Hospitals, clinics during training | Hospitals, clinics, healthcare facilities |
The main difference is that a Physician Assistant Intern is in training or recent graduation phase, often in supervised clinical rotations, while a Physician Assistant is a licensed professional authorized to provide patient care independently under supervision. Interns are gaining experience, whereas licensed PAs have full practice authority.