Ask an Instructor: What is the PANCE, and how does it reflect what you’ve learned in PA school?

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The PANCE, or Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam, is the board exam every PA student must pass to become a certified PA. It’s designed to test whether you can apply the medical knowledge, clinical reasoning, and problem-solving you developed in school to real-world patient care.

The exam covers everything from anatomy and pathophysiology to diagnostics, treatment interventions, and pharmacology, mirroring the comprehensive training you received in PA school. While no test can capture every nuance of clinical practice, the PANCE aligns closely with the core curriculum, ensuring that the knowledge you’ve worked hard to build translates into safe, effective care.

James Van Rhee, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, PANCE instructor