PANCE (NCCPA) - Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam

PANCE is a national certification examination for Physician Assistants (PAs) in the United States. The exam assesses general medical and surgical knowledge necessary to practice as a PA. Passing the PANCE is a prerequisite for obtaining licensure to practice as a PA in the United States.

Completion Time: 6 hours total test time

Eligibility and Certification Requirements

• Graduation from a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

• Completion of the application process through the NCCPA, including the submission of required documentation and exam fees.

Exam Format

The PANCE is a computer-based exam consisting of 300 multiple-choice questions, divided into five blocks of 60 questions with 60 minutes to complete each block.

Questions cover medical knowledge in core medical and surgical disciplines.

Certification Process

Apply for the PANCE through the NCCPA after completing an accredited PA program.

Schedule the exam at a Pearson VUE test center.

After completing the PANCE, you will receive an email notification with your exam results posted to your online record, typically within two weeks of your exam date.

While the PANCE itself does not require renewal, maintaining PA certification requires passing the PANRE every ten years and completing 100 CME credits every five years.

PAs are required to engage in continuous learning through CME activities that include self-assessment, performance improvement, and other educational activities.

For specific information regarding the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam, including detailed application processes, examination content, and guidelines for maintaining certification, it is recommended to consult directly with the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The NCCPA provides comprehensive resources, standards, and guidelines for the certification and recertification of Physician Assistants.

Career Opportunities

Passing the PANCE and obtaining licensure enables individuals to work as PAs in various medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and specialized healthcare facilities.

Related certifications include:

• Physicians Assistant-Certified (PA-C), Certificate of Added Qualifications in Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery (CAQ-CVTS)

• Physicians Assistant-Certified (PA-C), Certificate of Added Qualifications in Emergency Medicine (CAQ-EM)

• Physicians Assistant-Certified (PA-C), Certificate of Added Qualifications in Hospital Medicine (CAQ-HM)

• Physicians Assistant-Certified (PA-C), Certificate of Added Qualifications in Nephrology (CAQ-Neph)

• Physicians Assistant-Certified (PA-C), Certificate of Added Qualifications in Orthopaedic Surgery (CAQ-OS)

• Physicians Assistant-Certified (PA-C), Certificate of Added Qualifications in Pediatrics (CAQ-Peds)

• Physicians Assistant-Certified (PA-C), Certificate of Added Qualifications in Psychiatry (CAQ in Psychiatry (CAQ-Psy)

• Physicians Assistant-Certified (PA-C), Certificate of Added Qualifications in Dermatology (CAQ-Derm)

• Physicians Assistant-Certified (PA-C), Certificate of Added Qualifications in Palliative Medicine and Hospice Care (CAQ-PMHC) will be offered beginning in 2023

• Physician Assistant (PA) degree

• Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C)