Is a Physician Assistant permitted to own their practice in Texas?

In Texas, Physician Assistants (PAs) are not permitted to independently own a medical practice. The state regulations specify that PAs must practice under the supervision of a licensed physician, and their professional activities are closely tied to the supervising physician in terms of both legal and operational aspects.

The rationale behind this restriction is rooted in the regulatory framework that governs healthcare practices within Texas. PAs are regarded as healthcare providers who support the physician in delivering patient care rather than acting as independent medical practitioners. This means that any practice ownership must involve a licensed physician, as PAs are not recognized as "owners" of a medical practice on their own.

While there may be pathways for collaboration or partnership with physicians, the independence in terms of ownership is not allowed for PAs in Texas. This ensures that the supervisory relationship remains intact and that patient care is delivered under the oversight of a licensed physician.