Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) is a certification test conducted by National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). This exam is a must to pass for initial certification as Physician Assistant- Certified (PA-C) after graduation. This certification is one of the criteria for initial licensure as Physician Assistant in all states and territories of United States including Washington DC. The certification has to be maintained by passing Physician Assistant National Re-certifying Examination (PANRE) in every six year period.
Eligibility-
The candidate must have graduated a physician assistant program or surgeon assistant program accredited by Accreditation Review Commission on education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The test can be taken only within six year period from graduation. There are maximum 6 attempts available for passing PANCE.
Test Overview-
This test assesses basic knowledge in medicine and surgery. The content of exam can be categorized in two ways- one by skills and knowledge a physician assistant must have and second by organ systems, their diseases and disorders. By cognitive skills and knowledge, the test is breakdown into following content areas- History taking and performing physical examinations (16% of test), Using laboratory and diagnostic studies (14% of test), Formulating most likely diagnostic (18% of test), Health maintenance (10% of test), Clinical intervention (14% of test), Pharmaceutical therapeutics (18% of test), and applying basic science concepts (10% of test). By Organ systems, this test is breakdown into following content areas- Cardiovascular (16% of test), Dermatologic (5% of test), EENT – Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat (9% of test), Endocrine (6% of test), Gastrointestinal/Nutritional (10% of test), Genitourinary (6% of test), Hematologic (3% of test), Infectious diseases (3% of test), Musculoskeletal (10% of test), Neurologic system (6% of test), Psychiatry/Behavioral (6% of test), Pulmonary (12% of test), and Reproductive (8% of test). The content blueprint of PANRE exam is also same. In PANCE, the questions are more specific while in PANRE, questions encompass wider clinical issues.
Test Format-
There are 300 multiple choice questions in exam. The test is offered in blocks of 60 questions each. PANCE is administered in a time of five hours which includes breaks of total 45 minutes and a 15 minutes introductory tutorial. The breaks can be taken between blocks and examinee is free to manage these breaks.
Marking Scheme-
The raw score in test is proportional to number of MCQs attempted correctly. There is no negative marking in exam. This raw score is converted into a scaled score in range from 200 to 800. The passing scaled score is 500. The score report is posted on personal certification record and is reported within two weeks from test date. The candidates are informed by e-mail about release of the results.
Schedule-
For taking PANCE, candidate has to apply for the test at NCCPA and make payment of appropriate fees. After getting an acknowledgement from NCCPA, he/she can schedule this exam with Pearson Vue anytime, within 180 days around expected graduation date and submission of required materials to NCCPA. It can be taken maximum six times within six years from graduation. The test appointment with Pearson Vue can be made through internet or phone. If a candidate does not pass in exam, he/she can retake it after 90 days and at most three times in a year. The total number of allowed attempts is six.
Exam Fees-
The fee for PANCE test is $475.