Pathologists' assistant

A pathologists' assistant (PA or PathA) is a physician extender whose expertise lies in gross examination of surgical specimens as well as performing hospital, medicolegal, and forensic autopsies. Their education is analgous to physician associates, consisting of a didactic and a clinical component and concluding in a master's degree. Certification of pathologists' assistants is through a board exam by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). In the United States, the profession is represented by the American Association of Pathologists' Assistants (AAPA).

Pathologists' Assistants in the United States are currently only required to be licensed in three states: Nevada, West Virginia, and New York. In most other states, the scope of PAs falls under CLIA high complexity testing which requires an associate degree.

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