The Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) are exams that must be taken by all physician assistant

Physician assistant

A physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...

s (PAs). Both tests are given by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
The exams are computerized and consist of practical medical and surgical questions.

PANCE

The PANCE includes 360 questions and must be taken before a PA can be licensed for the first time upon graduation from an accredited program.

PANRE

The PANRE includes 300 questions and must be taken by all PAs every 6 years to continue to practice as a PA. The PANRE can be retaken if failed, but there is a 90-day waiting period between tests and it can only be taken twice in one year.