Oregon HB 4010 (2024), signed by Governor Tina Kotek in April, changes the physician assistant (PA) title to “physician associate” for professionals licensed and practicing in the state. The change became official on June 6, 2024, throughout Oregon law, allowing Oregon-licensed PAs to start using the title “Physician Associate.”

The Oregon Medical Board (OMB) has begun to update its website and will continue to reflect this change in updates to its materials throughout the summer. Importantly, this title change is not substantive and does not impact any component of a PA’s practice or scope of practice in Oregon.

Refer to your legal counsel with any questions regarding the continued use of the term “physician assistant” in your health care facility and updates to your collaboration agreements.

Read more about how this change may impact your providers or your health care facility at Oregon.gov.

History of the Physician Associate Title

In 2023, Oregon HB 2583 sought to rename physician assistants to physician associates, with no effect on state terminology, scope of practice or licensing for those professionals. That bill died in committee.

Read more about the background and industry reactions to the AAPA’s 2021 vote to adopt the terminology “physician associate.”

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