Administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA®), the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) grants the PA-C designation to those who pass. This guide covers eligibility, registration, exam structure, and costs, ensuring you have the key information to successfully plan your path to certification.
PANCE Exam Eligibility
Before taking the PANCE, you must graduate from a physician assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). There are currently around 300 accredited programs. To fulfill this PANCE education requirement, your program must have been accredited at the time of matriculation.
PANCE Exam Testing Window
You can apply for the PANCE up to 180 days before your expected program completion date, as confirmed by your program director. The earliest you can take the exam is 7 days after completing your program. Your exam application acknowledgment email will confirm this date and outline your 180-day window to take the exam. You can only take the PANCE once every 90 days and up to 3 times per calendar year.
PANCE Exam Attempts
You have 6 years after graduating from an ARC-PA-accredited PA program to take the PANCE, with a maximum of 6 attempts. If you exceed either limit, you will lose eligibility and must complete another full, ARC-PA-accredited program to regain it. This rule applies to anyone who graduated on or after Jan. 1, 2003, and has never been certified.
How to Request a PANCE Eligibility Extension
If you experience an extenuating circumstance and need to extend your PANCE exam eligibility time frame, you can submit an Exception to Policy (ETP) request at any time through your online account. If your situation persists, worsens, or a new extenuating circumstance arises, you may submit an additional extension request for review.
However, it's important to note that extensions do not exempt you from taking the exam. Financial hardship alone does not qualify unless it is directly tied to an approved exception.
PANCE Registration
To register for the PANCE exam, submit your application and $550 payment through the NCCPA. After graduating from an ARC-PA-accredited PA program, you have 180 days to take the exam and can schedule it at any available testing center.
Make sure you submit all required materials. If you're ineligible, you won’t receive a score or may have it rescinded. You can only register for 1 exam at a time.
PANCE Exam Scheduling
The PANCE exam is administered at Pearson VUE testing centers. First-time test takers must create a Pearson VUE account using their NCCPA ID number, which is provided in the exam acknowledgment documentation. Updating your contact information in Pearson VUE does not update it with the NCCPA.
Once you schedule your exam, Pearson VUE will send a confirmation letter with your test date, time, location, and contact details for the testing center. Pearson VUE may update its admission and conduct requirements, and you must comply with any changes.
Rescheduling or Canceling Your PANCE Exam
We recommend taking the PANCE soon after graduation while your coursework and clinical experience remain fresh. However, if you need to delay or cancel your exam, you can do so within your 180-day eligibility window through Pearson VUE, as outlined in your exam acknowledgment documentation.
You must cancel or reschedule at least 1 business day before your exam. If you miss this deadline, you will forfeit your exam fee and must reapply and pay again to take the PANCE.
PANCE Exam Location
You can take the PANCE at any Pearson VUE testing center, regardless of where you plan to practice. The PA-C designation is issued by the NCCPA, not individual state boards, so your test location does not affect your certification. However, you must still meet licensure requirements in your chosen state. Visit your state board’s website for details.
PANCE Exam Cost
The PANCE exam costs include the $550 application fee (paid during registration) and any test prep services you choose. This fee is subject to change, so check the NCCPA website for the latest updates.
Test prep costs vary based on the resources included, with most PANCE review tools ranging from $200 to $550.
We offer an industry-leading QBank with PANCE-style practice questions aligned with the latest NCCPA blueprint. Students who use our PANCE prep services are more prepared for the exam and real-world practice.
When budgeting for your exam, set aside funds early for test prep materials such as our comprehensive PA QBank, so you have access to the best resources throughout your entire study period.
PANCE Exam Payment Process
The cost of your PANCE exam is paid with your application. All fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Your application will not be processed until you have paid the full amount. You will not receive final approval until any outstanding fees have been paid.
PANCE Fee Policies
If you miss your scheduled exam or fail to complete your registration, you will forfeit your exam fee and must pay again to retake it. You must contact your testing center at least 1 business day before your exam to cancel or reschedule without additional fees.
If you choose to withdraw from your eligibility window, the NCCPA must receive written notice by the last day of your time frame or at least 1 business day before your scheduled exam. Once you begin the exam, you cannot cancel, reschedule, or receive a refund.
Read More About the PANCE
Get a complete breakdown of the PANCE exam — its structure, content, and expert tips — from our in-house PAs to help you pass.
Get expert-backed strategies, study plans, and schedules to help you prepare effectively for the PANCE
Find out when and where to access your PANCE score. Learn how the exam is scored, review historical pass rates, and refine your study strategy.
Review the latest NCCPA blueprint to see the medical content and task categories tested on the exam. Learn how each area is weighted to guide your preparation.
