How many PAs can a physician supervise at 1x in practice?

• A. Four PAs
• B. Six PAs
• C. Eight PAs
• D. Ten PAs

Answer: (B)

In a one-physician, multi-PA supervision setup, the number of PAs a physician can supervise hinges on the ability to maintain adequate oversight of patient care. Six PAs is a commonly cited maximum in this 1x practice model because it strikes a balance between enabling efficient team-based care and ensuring the physician can realistically review charts, sign orders, provide guidance, and be readily available for consultations or urgent decisions. If you push beyond that number, the physician’s capacity to supervise effectively and ensure timely decision-making tends to suffer, which can impact patient safety. It’s important to remember that actual limits vary by state and practice setting, so local rules and institutional policies always apply.