1.1 PANRE Exam Facts
Key Takeaways
- The PANRE has 240 multiple-choice questions delivered in 4 blocks of 60, with 4 hours of testing time inside a roughly 5-hour appointment.
- Scores are reported on a scaled range of 200 to 800; the current passing standard is a scaled score of 379.
- The exam is built and owned by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and delivered at Pearson VUE test centers.
- Candidates choose between the proctored single-day PANRE and the PANRE Longitudinal Assessment (PANRE-LA), an at-home format taken over time.
- Passing the PANRE (or completing PANRE-LA) is required to renew the Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) credential within the recertification cycle.
About the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination (PANRE)
Quick Answer: The PANRE is a 240-question recertification exam from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), delivered in four blocks of 60 questions over 4 hours of testing time at Pearson VUE centers. Scores are reported on a 200-800 scaled range, and the current passing standard is a scaled score of 379. The exam fee is $350. Certified PAs can instead choose the PANRE Longitudinal Assessment (PANRE-LA), an at-home format answered over three years. Passing either path renews the Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) credential.
The Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination (PANRE) is not an entry exam. It is taken by clinicians who already hold the PA-C credential and need to demonstrate that their general medical knowledge remains current. The NCCPA designed it around the same broad, multi-system foundation expected of any practicing PA, regardless of specialty.
Who Takes the PANRE?
The PANRE is for currently certified PAs who are in the recertification portion of their certification maintenance cycle. Unlike the initial Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), which is taken once after graduation, the PANRE is a recurring requirement throughout a PA's career.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Administering body | NCCPA |
| Total questions | 240 multiple-choice |
| Structure | 4 blocks of 60 questions each |
| Testing time | 4 hours (60 minutes per block) |
| Total appointment | ~5 hours (tutorial, breaks, survey) |
| Score scale | 200-800 (scaled) |
| Passing score | Scaled score of 379 |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE test centers |
| Exam fee | $350 |
Two Recertification Paths: PANRE vs. PANRE-LA
NCCPA offers two routes to satisfy the recertification exam requirement:
- PANRE (proctored exam): A single-day, 240-question, closed-resource exam at a Pearson VUE test center. Best for candidates who prefer to study, sit, and finish in one event.
- PANRE Longitudinal Assessment (PANRE-LA): Questions delivered in small batches over multiple quarters, completed from home or office on the candidate's own device, with a defined time per question and limited reference use. Best for candidates who prefer continuous, lower-stakes engagement.
Both options assess the same general medical content and both, when passed, satisfy the recertification exam requirement to keep the PA-C credential active. The detailed eligibility and timing rules for choosing between them are covered in Section 1.2.
Why Scaled Scoring Matters
The PANRE does not report a simple percentage. Raw performance is converted to a scaled score between 200 and 800 so that scores remain comparable across different exam forms that may vary slightly in difficulty. The reporting threshold for passing is a scaled score of 379. Because of equating, there is no fixed "number of questions you must get right" that guarantees a pass; the goal is consistent mastery across the blueprint.
The Role of the PANRE in Your Career
Passing the PANRE (or completing PANRE-LA) is the assessment component of maintaining NCCPA certification. Without a current PA-C credential, many states and employers will not allow continued clinical practice as a PA, because state licensure and hospital credentialing frequently reference active NCCPA certification. In short, the PANRE protects the credential that protects your ability to work.
Official Resources
- NCCPA Maintain Certification - Official recertification requirements and overview
- PANRE/PANRE-LA Content Blueprint (PDF) - Official blueprint and category weights
- NCCPA Key Dates - Registration and testing windows
- Pearson VUE NCCPA - Scheduling and test center information
How is the PANRE structured in terms of questions and testing time?
What passing standard does the PANRE use?
Which statement best describes the difference between the PANRE and the PANRE-LA?
Why does passing the PANRE matter for a PA's ability to keep working?