Which of the following roles requires a license to perform physical examinations and treat illnesses?

The role that requires a license to perform physical examinations and treat illnesses is that of a physician assistant. Physician assistants are healthcare professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and are licensed to conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and develop treatment plans. Their training includes extensive medical education, enabling them to take on responsibilities that directly involve patient care, including therapeutic interventions.

Other roles, while important in the healthcare setting, do not have the same capacity to perform physical examinations and treat illnesses independently. A physiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, requiring a license, but as a specialist, they focus on specific rehabilitation rather than general medical care across different conditions. A physical therapist primarily helps patients improve movement and manage pain through rehabilitation therapies but does not have the authority to perform examinations in the same way a physician assistant does. A podiatrist, although a licensed medical professional who treats foot and ankle conditions, focuses specifically on lower extremity care, which is more specialized compared to the broader scope of practice of a physician assistant.