assistant physician assistant physician assistant physician in the united states (not to be confused with a physician assistant) is a medical doctor (md) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (do) who has graduated from a four-year medical school program and is licensed to practice in a limited capacity under the supervision of a physician who has completed his or her residency. the assistant physician license is currently issued in missouri, virginia, new hampshire, utah, and arkansas. in 2019, the state of missouri rejected a proposed legislation which would have allowed assistant physicians to collaborate with physician assistants and nurse practitioners and also provide a pathway to becoming a full physician without completing a residency program. the american academy of family physicians (aafp) objected stating that the move would expose patients to sub-standard care.