The Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) are certification examinations taken by physician assistants (PAs) in the United States. The tests are computer-based and consist of practical medical and surgical questions.
PANCE The PANCE must be taken before a PA can be licensed for the first time upon graduation from an accredited program. The examination consists of 300 multiple-choice questions administered in five 60-minute, 60-question blocks. There is a total of 45 minutes allotted for breaks between blocks, as well as a 15-minute tutorial prior to the examination.
PANRE The examination consists of 240 multiple-choice questions administered in four 60-minute, 60-question blocks; the breaks and tutorial are timed as on the PANCE. The PANRE can be retaken if failed after a 90-day waiting period between tests, but it can only be taken twice in one year. While 60% of the generalist exam covers the same content, the remaining 40% can be directed towards questions in one of three areas: adult medicine, surgery, or primary care.
Since 2015, PANRE re-certification is required during the ninth or tenth year of the certification maintenance cycle.
Exam Content:
- Organ systems and the diseases, disorders and medical assessments physician assistants encounter within those systems; - The knowledge and skills physician assistants should exhibit when confronted with those diseases, disorders and assessments.
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