kevj, What is the potential on the emitter of the transistor in reference to ground? I am assuming you are using it as a pass transistor for the supply to some other circuitry. If you are trying to switch a voltage potential greater than 5volts + .7 volts then the PIC pin connected thru a resistor directly to the base of the transistor will not work. The PIC pin will not open it's circuit completely but have the VDD source voltage present. You will have to put a diode in series with the 1k resistor to the base of the transistor (cathode towards the PIC) so as to block the 5 volts being sourced from the PIC pin. Then a resistor of about 10k from the base of the transistor to the emitter.

Dave Purola,
N8NTA