Pathologists' Assistant

Current State Licensing Requirements 

Requirements for professional licensure can vary by state and can change without notice. All prospective students should consult the state licensing body in the state in which they reside or seek to be licensed to ensure that the degree they earn will meet requirements for licensure in that state.  Federal law classifies anatomic pathology as "high complexity" testing. CLIA requires an associate degree in a related field or the equivalent for persons performing high complexity testing. Anyone working in anatomic pathology in the United States must meet CLIA requirements for high complexity testing but does not need to be certified. Students should refer to their state licensing body for further information. The information provided below has been adapted from the information that can also be found on the American Association of Pathologists Assistants website.  

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia

Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland

Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey

New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina

South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Washington, D.C.
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Licensure is the granting of legal permission by a competent authority (usually a state licensing board for healthcare professionals) to an individual to perform medical acts and procedures that would otherwise be illegal. Licensure is usually granted on the basis of education and examination rather than performance, and a fee may be required. The criteria do not necessarily match professional certification criteria. 

Alabama

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Alabama State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Alaska

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
HB28/SB67, introduced Jan 2009, referred to committee.  Last official action listed: Feb 2009.  The bill has no category for and no exemption for pathologists’ assistants.

Alaska State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Arizona

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Arizona State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Arkansas

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Arkansas State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

California

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
Does NOT currently require a license or certification to practice. California did pass a law which states that if you are not certified and are doing anatomic pathology work which involves the dissection of tissue specimens, then a pathologist must be physically present on-site, in the facility, available for immediate consultation during the entire time the work is being performed. If the person performing the work is certified then a pathologist does not need to be present when the work is being performed.

California State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Colorado

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Colorado State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Connecticut

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Connecticut State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Delaware

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Delaware State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Florida

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending. State currently licenses clinical laboratory practitioners. 

Florida State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Georgia

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Georgia State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Hawaii

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending. State currently licenses clinical laboratory practitioners. 

Hawaii State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Idaho

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Idaho State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Illinois

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Illinois State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Indiana

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Indiana State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Iowa

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Iowa State Licensure 

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Kansas

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Kansas State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Kentucky

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Kentucky State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Louisiana

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending. State currently licenses clinical laboratory practitioners. 

Louisiana State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Maine

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Maine State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Maryland

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Maryland State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Massachusetts

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
HB 2142, introduced Jan 2009, referred to committee.  Last official action dated Jan 2009.  This bill has no category for and no exemption for pathologists’ assistants.

Massachusetts State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Michigan

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Michigan State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Minnesota

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
HF1249/SF0999, introduced Mar 2009, referred to committee.  Last official action dated Apr 2009.  This bill exempts pathologists’ assistants from licensing requirements.

Minnesota State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Mississippi

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Mississippi State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Missouri

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Missouri State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Montana

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending. State currently licenses clinical laboratory practitioners. 

Montana State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Nebraska

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Nebraska State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Nevada

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
Yes. State currently licenses clinical laboratory practitioners. 

Nevada State Licensure

Nevada State Code

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

New Hampshire

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

New Hampshire State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

New Jersey

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

New Jersey State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

New Mexico

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

New Mexico State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

New York

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
Yes. State currently licenses clinical laboratory practitioners. 

New York State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

North Carolina

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

North Carolina State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

North Dakota

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending. State currently licenses clinical laboratory practitioners. 

North Dakota State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Ohio

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Ohio State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Oklahoma

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Oklahoma State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Oregon

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Oregon State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Pennsylvania

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Pennsylvania State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Rhode Island

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending. State currently licenses clinical laboratory practitioners. 

Rhode Island State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

South Carolina

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

South Carolina State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

South Dakota

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

South Dakota State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Tennessee

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending. State currently licenses clinical laboratory practitioners. 

Tennessee State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Texas

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Texas State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Utah

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Utah State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Vermont

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No legislation currently pending.  A request was submitted to the state Office of Professional Regulation asking the state to consider licensing laboratory personnel.  The state held a public hearing on the matter in November 2009.  On December 9, 2009 the Office of Professional Regulation issued a report concluding that existing regulations that govern the operation of laboratories and the qualifications of personnel performing testing in laboratories are sufficient to protect the interests of the public, and recommending against the licensing of laboratory personnel in Vermont. 

Vermont State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Virginia

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No licensure is required.

Virginia State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2023

Washington

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Washington State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Washington, D.C.

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Washington, D.C. Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

West Virginia

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending. State currently licenses clinical laboratory practitioners. 

West Virginia State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Wisconsin

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Wisconsin State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024

Wyoming

Does EVMS meet Minimum Qualifications for State Licensure?
No current state licensing requirements. No legislation currently pending.

Wyoming State Licensure

Date of Last Revision: February 2024