PANCE
Offered by National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) is the exam PA program graduates take to become certified PAs. It is required (along with state licensure) for entry-level practice in the United States.
EXAM AT A GLANCE
Format
300
Testing time
45
minutes
Sections
9
Delivery
Pearson VUE test centers
Cost
$550 USD application and exam fee
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What the exam covers
Cardiovascular
11%
Pulmonary
9%
Gastrointestinal / nutrition
8%
Musculoskeletal
8%
Infectious disease
7%
Neurologic
7%
Psychiatry / behavioral
7%
Reproductive
7%
Other organ systems and tasks (see NCCPA blueprint)
About the PANCE exam
PANCE is 300 multiple-choice questions in five 60-question blocks (60 minutes each). Testing time is 5 hours, plus 45 minutes of break time you manage and a 15-minute tutorial. NCCPA delivers the exam at Pearson VUE. You apply after completing an ARC-PA accredited entry-level PA program.
Who it’s for
Graduates of ARC-PA accredited PA programs seeking initial NCCPA certification.
- Format
- 300 multiple-choice questions in five blocks of 60; you may review within a block but not after you leave it
- Testing time
- 5 hours of testing + 45 minutes of scheduled break time + 15-minute tutorial
- Passing score
- NCCPA scaled passing standard (not published as a raw percentage); results posted to your NCCPA account
- Validity
- Initial certification, then NCCPA recertification cycles (PANRE / PANRE-LA) and state license renewal
- Prerequisites
- Graduation from an ARC-PA accredited entry-level PA program; 180-day eligibility window based on graduation and application
Official exam page· Details verified September 2026
Exam details can change. Always confirm current requirements, fees, and exam policies with the certification provider before registering.
How to prepare
01
Download the current NCCPA PANCE content blueprint (organ systems and task categories) and use it as your study calendar.
02
Front-load cardiovascular and pulmonary — together they are about one-fifth of the exam.
03
Practice in 60-question, 60-minute blocks so exam-day pacing is automatic.
04
Treat task skills (diagnosis, clinical intervention, pharm) as a second axis, not only disease lists.
05
Take at least two full 300-item timed simulations before your 180-day window gets short.
FAQ
How long should I study for the PANCE?
Most students start a dedicated plan in the last months of clinical year and continue through a dedicated study block after graduation. A written weekly schedule beats last-minute cramming on 300 items.
When can I take PANCE?
After you graduate from an ARC-PA program and NCCPA processes your application. You receive a 180-day window and schedule at Pearson VUE. Confirm the earliest eligible date on NCCPA's become-certified page.
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