Department of Consumer Affairs Physician Assistant Committee

Information Bulletin

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS ASSISTING PODIATRISTS

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California law allows a physician assistant (PA) performing medical services under the supervision of a physician to assist a podiatrist if the following requirements are met:

(1) the podiatrist must be a partner, shareholder, or employee in the same medical group as the supervising physician,

(2) the PA may only assist the podiatrist according to patient-specific orders from the supervising physician, and may only perform those duties included within the scope of practice of the podiatrist, and

(3) the supervising physician must be physically available to the PA for consultation when the assistance is provided.

[Reference: Business and Professions Code, Section 3502 (b).]

However, please note that a PA may only be supervised by an approved physician and surgeon or doctor of osteopathic medicine. Therefore, while PAs may assist a podiatrist under the conditions specified above, the podiatrist may not supervise PAs, as defined in Physician Assistant Law and Regulations, unless the podiatrist also holds an M. D. or D. O. license and has received supervisory approval.

A copy of the Physician Assistant Laws and Regulations my be obtained by contacting the Physician Assistant Committee at (916) 561-8780 or pacommittee@mbc.ca.gov.

Note: This document does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis of laws relating to physician assistants. This is not a declaratory opinion of the Physician Assistant Committee.