The Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination (PANRE) is administered by the NCCPA to reassess the basic surgical and medical knowledge of prospective physician assistants. This exam is taken in the ninth or tenth year of the certification maintenance cycle.
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PANRE Eligibility
To be eligible to take this exam, you must have obtained at least 100 Category 1 CME credits within the last two years, and you must be in the ninth or tenth year of the certification maintenance cycle.
PANRE Exam Outline
The PANRE exam contains 240 multiple-choice questions and you will be given a time limit of 4 hours. The exam is administered in four blocks of 60 questions each. You will have one hour to complete each block, and you will be permitted a total of 45 minutes of break time to use between blocks as you please.
The questions on the exam are categorized in two dimensions, the first being medical content.
| Medical Content Category | Percentage of Exam |
|---|---|
| Cardiovascular System | 12% |
| Dermatologic System | 5% |
| Endocrine System | 8% |
| Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat | 8% |
| Gastrointestinal System/Nutrition | 10% |
| Genitourinary System | 5% |
| Hematologic System | 4% |
| Infectious Diseases | 7% |
| Musculoskeletal System | 8% |
| Neurologic System | 5% |
| Psychiatry/Behavioral Science | 7% |
| Pulmonary System | 10% |
| Renal System | 4% |
| Reproductive System | 5% |
| Emergent Topics | 2% |
The questions are also categorized by performance expectations.
- History and Physical
- Diagnosis
- Basic Intervention
- Complex Intervention
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PANRE Exam Registration
To register for the PANRE, you must log in to your NCCPA record and submit an application. Your application should include the $350 registration fee.
Once your application has been reviewed, you will be able to schedule your exam appointment within a given 180-day window.
Test Day
You should arrive at the testing center 15-30 minutes earlier than your scheduled appointment to allow time to check-in. If you arrive late, you will not be permitted to take the exam that day and your exam fee will be forfeited.
After you arrive, you will be asked to present two forms of ID, one of which must contain both your photo and signature.
Once the check-in process is complete, you will be asked to leave all personal items, such as your cell phone, backpack, wallet, keys, and watch, in a secure locker outside the testing area.
Before the exam begins, you will be given 15 minutes to review a tutorial of the testing system. During the exam, you are permitted to take breaks between each block of questions. You may access your personal items during these breaks if you wish.
How the PANRE Exam is Scored
Your PANRE score is determined using a scaled scoring system, which takes your raw score (how many questions you answered correctly) and converts it to a numerical score on a scale of 200 to 800.
To pass, your final scaled score must be at least 379.
Retaking the PANRE Exam
If you do not pass the exam, you may retake it up to four times total with a 90-day waiting period between each attempt. You must pass the exam by the end of your tenth year in the certification maintenance cycle.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the PANRE exam?
A
There are 240 multiple-choice questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the PANRE exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 4 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the PANRE exam?
A
To pass the exam, you must achieve a scaled score of at least 379.
Q
How much does the PANRE exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $350.
