In Michigan, as it is in most states, PAs are only licensed to work under allopathic/osteopathic physicians. A PA is a PHYSICIAN assistant, not a podiatry assistant/veterinary assistant/dental assistant. In most states, only MDs or DOs are classified as physicians, by law. Many argue a DPM is a physician/surgeon of the foot,and I'm not going to dispute that, but the question here pertains to legal authority. A state's medical practice statute is controlling and will usually define who and what a physician is. Most states will specify MD and DO, whereas a few consider dentists, podiatrists, and psychologists to be "physicians". In cases where non-MD/DO practitioners are considered physicians, then I don't see why a PA couldn't work for that professional.
However, in addition to the medical practice statute, all states have an NP and PA statute that defines the scope of practice for those professionals. So, let's say State X says a physician is an MD, DO, DDS, and DPM. A PA could work for the DPM; however, that state's PA statute might limit the PA to only working under licensed allopaths and osteopaths, in which case, he/she would be operating outside his/her authority and could lose his/her license.
