Many of the PA programs don't have requirements for previous healthcare experience. I've seen some students start the first day learning how to take blood pressures. Others in the class have already had many years of experience (EMT, ER Tech, etc...), so they start on the more advanced skills. In the end, everyone seems to be on the same page. There are always certain clinical skill requirements that need to be accomplished in order to progress further into the program. I'm sure it's the same for the AA programs.