Your transition from PA student to practicing clinician starts here.
This page guides you through final licensure steps, NPI and DEA setup, and introduces postgraduate training options like residencies and fellowships — all in one place.
Stay focused, avoid delays, and launch your career with confidence.
Required for billing, credentialing, and EMR setup.
✅ Apply free at nppes.cms.hhs.gov
🗂 Choose Type 1 — Individual Provider
📍 Important: NPI numbers are publicly accessible and may be used by marketing companies or patients to search for and contact providers. While you are still in school, your official practice location should be listed as your PA program or academic institution, not a personal or home address.
📝 Once you sign an employment contract, be sure to update your NPI information to reflect your new practice location.
Michigan’s licensing portal to:
Apply for licensure (temporary or full)
Upload training certificates
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Track application status & fees
🔗 Login / Register
Step 1: Wait until your full PA license is active.
Step 2: Confirm your signed employment contract — many institutions will pay for your DEA license.
Step 3: Apply for your Michigan Controlled Substance License.
Step 4: Register for your DEA license using the employer's designated address.
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Get Michigan Controlled Substance License first
🔗 DEA Registration
🏥 Set Up Your CAQH Profile
Required for clinic and insurance credentialing
🔗 proview.caqh.org
📚 Complete Required Trainings (Upload certificates to MiPLUS)
• ✅ Implicit Bias Training — 2 hours minimum
• ✅ Human Trafficking Training
• ✅ Opioid Awareness / Pain Management (only if prescribing)
🧾 Final Checklists & Templates
Access all required trackers, forms, and templates in your:
⏱️Temporary PA License FAQ's
Who qualifies? New PA graduates who meet Michigan LARA criteria and are awaiting PANCE results / final licensure processing.
How long is it valid? Up to 12 months, non‑renewable.
When does it end early? If you fail the PANCE, the temporary license becomes void immediately.
What can I do with it? Practice under Michigan PA scope and supervisory/collaborative requirements while awaiting full licensure (confirm with your employer’s compliance team and malpractice carrier).
What can’t I do yet? Prescribe controlled substances until you hold your full PA license, Michigan Controlled Substance License, and
🕒 Fast-Track Timeline at a Glance
From graduation to full PA licensure in 4 clear steps:
📘 Phase 0: Before Graduation
Create MiPLUS account
Complete training: Implicit Bias, Human Trafficking, Opioid Awareness (if prescribing)
Request program completion letter
Get NPI number (Type 1)
Start CAQH profile
🎓 Phase 1: Right After Graduation
Apply for Temporary PA License in MiPLUS
Upload training certs & program documents
Track status and respond to LARA messages
🧑⚕️ Phase 2: While Practicing Under Temporary License
Begin work (no controlled substances yet)
Finish CAQH + payor setup
Confirm malpractice coverage
Take the PANCE
🏛 Phase 3: After Passing PANCE
Convert to full PA license
Apply for Michigan Controlled Substance License
Then apply for DEA registration
📄CAQH Registration Process
If you have been invited to join the CAQH Provider Data Portal by a health plan, hospital, or other participating organization, you may have received a welcome letter with your CAQH Provider ID Number.
As a new user, you also have the option to self-register through the Provider Data Portal:
https://proview.caqh.org/PR/Registration.
Upon completion of the self registration process, you will receive a welcome email with your unique CAQH Provider ID Number. Once you have received your CAQH Provider ID Number, follow the next steps to complete your registration:
🗺️ Click here to explore the PA Postgraduate Opportunity Map
Find new-grad friendly residencies by state, specialty, and hospital system.