About PANCE/PANRE
Certification:
The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) is a 360-question, multiple-choice exam, designed to assess general medical and surgical knowledge. PANCE is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) to graduates of accredited PA programs. For more information, see www.nccpa.net/Pance.aspx.
Recertification:
Every 6 years, physician assistants must pass the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination (PANRE). PANRE is a 300-question, multiple-choice exam with 60% of the same content as PANCE; the remaining 40% can be directed toward one of three areas:
- Adult medicine
- Surgery
- Primary care
PANRE is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). For more information, see www.nccpa.net/Panre.aspx.