CME Review Courses

If you are responsible for student readiness, remediation, or board preparation, you need more than a recommendation list. You need a review resource your students can use consistently, and you need enough visibility to identify weak areas before they become progression or graduation problems.

PAtopia is now available to PA programs in two institutional formats: a Program License for an entire matriculating class and a Remediation Pack for named students who need targeted support.

• Program License: $3,750–$12,500 per class with 27 months of access
• Remediation Pack: $999 for 5 seats, $1,799 for 10 seats, or $399 for 10 single-rotation retake seats
• Content: Full-length practice exams for the PANCE, PACKRAT, End of Curriculum, and all 7 End of Rotation exams
• Question quality: Every question includes a rationale and references
• Faculty reporting: Student scores, content-area breakdowns, separate retake attempts, and print or save-as-PDF reporting

PAtopia gives you a structured way to support students throughout the program rather than waiting until the final semester to recommend individual pance prep courses.

Two institutional options for two different program needs

Your program may want every student to have access to a complete review library from the didactic year through the PANCE. Or you may need a smaller number of seats for students who have failed an End of Rotation exam or scored low on the PACKRAT.

PAtopia supports both situations.

Option 1: PAtopia Program License

The PAtopia Program License gives every student in one matriculating class the full PAtopia library for 27 months, extending from the didactic year through the PANCE.

This model is designed for programs that want a common review platform available to the entire cohort. Students can use the appropriate exam review as they progress through the curriculum, then continue into PANCE preparation after graduation.

The Program License includes full-length practice exams for:

• PANCE
• PACKRAT
• End of Curriculum
• All 7 End of Rotation exams

Each question includes a rationale and references so students can review the clinical reasoning behind the answer instead of simply recording whether they were correct.

Program License pricing

Matriculating class size	Price
Up to 40 students	$3,750
41–60 students	$6,000
61–85 students	$8,750
86 or more students	$12,500

The license applies to one matriculating class. Students receive named logins, and access lasts for 27 months.

Option 2: PAtopia Remediation Pack

The PAtopia Remediation Pack is intended for a smaller group of named students who need additional preparation after a failed End of Rotation exam or a low PACKRAT score.

Each standard remediation seat includes the PACKRAT review and all 7 End of Rotation reviews for 12 months. If a student needs support for one specific rotation retake, the single-rotation option provides 10 seats for $399.

Remediation Pack pricing

Pack	Price	Access
5 seats: PACKRAT and all 7 End of Rotation reviews	$999	12 months per seat
10 seats: PACKRAT and all 7 End of Rotation reviews	$1,799	12 months per seat
10 single-rotation retake seats	$399	12 months per seat

A Remediation Pack purchase is credited toward a Program License purchased within 12 months. That gives you a way to address an immediate remediation need without losing the value of the purchase if your program later decides to license PAtopia for the full class.

Program License vs. Remediation Pack

Category	Program License	Remediation Pack
Who it covers	Every student in one matriculating class	Named students who need remediation
Content	PANCE, PACKRAT, End of Curriculum, and all 7 End of Rotation reviews	PACKRAT and all 7 End of Rotation reviews; single-rotation retake option also available
Access length	27 months, from the didactic year through the PANCE	12 months per assigned seat
Best for	Longitudinal exam preparation for an entire cohort	Targeted support after a failed End of Rotation exam or low PACKRAT score
Price	$3,750–$12,500, based on class size	$399–$1,799, based on the pack selected

What your faculty dashboard shows

Faculty access is limited to your program’s students. You do not need to sort through unrelated student accounts or rely solely on self-reported progress.

For each student, the report includes:

• Every practice test attempted
• The score for each test
• A breakdown by content area
• Retakes listed as separate attempts
• A print or save-as-PDF option for the student file

Students see the same report for themselves. This gives you and the student a shared starting point for advising, remediation planning, and follow-up.

For example, if a student’s overall score improves but the content-area report continues to show weakness in cardiology or infectious disease, you have a specific area to address. If a retake shows improvement, the separate attempt history documents that progress.

The report reflects PAtopia practice activity. It does not replace official exam results.

A sample of the question style

PAtopia uses clinical questions that require students to connect the history, examination, and vital signs to the next management step.

Clinical vignette

Your 27-year-old patient presents with sudden-onset pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea that began 2 hours ago. She returned yesterday from a 10-hour international flight. She has no history of cardiopulmonary disease and takes an estrogen-containing oral contraceptive.

Vital signs: BP 118/72 mm Hg, HR 118/min, RR 24/min, SaO₂ 91% on room air, and temperature 37.1°C. Her lungs are clear to auscultation. The left calf is mildly swollen and tender compared with the right.

Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?

A. Obtain a D-dimer level
B. Begin aspirin and arrange outpatient follow-up
C. Obtain CT pulmonary angiography
D. Administer a thrombolytic agent immediately
E. Obtain a ventilation-perfusion scan as the initial test in all cases

Correct answer: C. Obtain CT pulmonary angiography.

This patient has a high clinical suspicion for pulmonary embolism based on tachycardia, hypoxemia, recent prolonged immobilization, estrogen exposure, pleuritic chest pain, and unilateral calf findings. She is hemodynamically stable, making CT pulmonary angiography the appropriate diagnostic study.

D-dimer testing is most useful when the pretest probability is low or intermediate, not when the clinical suspicion is high. Aspirin does not treat suspected pulmonary embolism. Immediate thrombolysis is reserved for selected patients with hemodynamic instability or high-risk PE. A ventilation-perfusion scan may be used when CT contrast is contraindicated, but it is not the first study for every stable patient.

Why this matters beyond graduation

PAtopia supports students during PA school, but your graduates will continue to need structured education after they enter practice.

The PANRE Review course provides 100 hours of Category 1 AAPA credit. That course can matter to graduating students and alumni as they transition into ongoing CME planning, professional development, and recertification requirements.

The 100 hours of Category 1 AAPA credit applies specifically to the PANRE Review course. It does not apply to PAtopia institutional licenses or to the PAtopia exam-review products described above.

For programs, this creates a useful distinction:

• PAtopia supports exam preparation during PA school and through the PANCE.
• The PANRE Review course supports later certification maintenance and CME planning for eligible PAs.

Start with the free PAtopia Test Drive

You can review sample questions in the web app on a phone or computer through the free PAtopia Test Drive.

If you want full faculty preview access, a purchase order, or an invoice and W-9, email info@cmereviewcourses.com from your institutional address. Include your name, title, and PA program so the team can direct your request appropriately.

You can also review the institutional options here:

• PA Programs
• PAtopia Program License
• PAtopia Remediation Pack

About the author

Jeremy Boroff, MPAS, PA-C, has 24 years of Emergency Medicine experience and is a PA educator, medical education author, and founder of CME Review Courses and PAtopia. He develops clinical review content and board-style practice materials for physician assistants, including PANCE, PACKRAT, EOR, EOC, PANRE preparation, and Category 1 AAPA CME activities.

For institutional questions about PAtopia, email info@cmereviewcourses.com from your institutional address to request full faculty preview access, a purchase order, or an invoice and W-9.

PACKRAT and End of Rotation are trademarks of the PAEA; PANCE is a trademark of NCCPA. CME Review Courses and PAtopia are not affiliated with or endorsed by PAEA or NCCPA.

Price: $399.99 for the PANRE Review Course
Access: 30 months from purchase
CME: Up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits
Practice questions: 1,200 board-style questions across five 240-question practice exams
Format: Online, self-paced, and aligned with the NCCPA Blueprint

The PANRE Review Course with Gift Card now combines traditional PANRE preparation with a complete 100-credit AAPA Category 1 CME opportunity in one purchase.

The activity was approved on August 26, 2026, under AAPA reference CME-2016187. The approval is valid through August 26, 2027. For physician assistants recertifying through the traditional PANRE pathway, this course can cover the full CME requirement for the cycle while providing structured preparation for the examination.

View the PANRE Review Course with Gift Card

What the $399.99 PANRE purchase includes

The base course is $399.99 and includes:

• The PANRE Clinical Review Module designated for up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits
• Five full-length practice examinations
• 240 questions per exam
• 1,200 total board-style questions
• Detailed rationales and cited sources
• The complete PANRE Study Library
• Online, self-paced access for 30 months
• Content covering the organ systems and task areas tested on the NCCPA Blueprint

This is not a short question bank or a limited review period. The 30-month access window allows you to study before the exam, return to weak areas, and complete the CME activity within your recertification cycle.

The accreditation clarification matters

CME Review Courses received approval for the full catalog under the enduring activity titled Comprehensive Clinical Review for Practicing PAs : 2026–27.

The full program is designated for 468.75 AAPA Category 1 CME credits across 14 modules. However, the 468.75-credit total applies to the complete 14-module program, not to one $399.99 purchase.

The PANRE Review Course is one module within that program and is designated for up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits.

The separate PANRE-LA Review Course also has its own 100-credit designation. PANRE and PANRE-LA are separate courses. Select the course that matches your recertification pathway.

You can read the full accreditation announcement on the CME Review Courses accreditation announcement page.

Why this is efficient for traditional PANRE recertification

NCCPA recertification requires physicians assistants to complete CME during the certification maintenance cycle, including Category 1 CME. A single PANRE Review Course purchase provides up to 100 AAPA Category 1 credits.

For many PAs, that means one course can cover the full CME cycle while also addressing the clinical content required for PANRE preparation. You do not need to purchase a separate general CME bundle simply to meet the Category 1 portion of your requirement.

The course is designed for practicing PAs who need a structured way to review multiple specialties, identify knowledge gaps, and prepare for a broad recertification examination. Content is written for clinical application rather than passive reading.

The five practice exams provide repeated assessment across the full NCCPA Blueprint. You can use them as baseline assessments, spaced review checkpoints, or final exam preparation. Each exam contains 240 questions, producing a total of 1,200 questions across the course.

How you earn the 100 AAPA Category 1 credits

The credit is awarded based on your participation and completion of the activity. The process is:

1. Review the course content, including the PANRE Study Library and assigned review material.
2. Complete the post-test with a score of 70% or higher.
3. Complete the activity evaluation.
4. Receive your certificate of completion stating the precise amount of credit earned.

Missed post-test questions may be retaken to reach the passing score. PAs should claim only the amount of credit commensurate with their actual participation.

The course is an enduring online activity, so you can complete the work on your schedule and return to the material during the 30-month access period.

Add an Amazon or Apple gift card for an additional fee

The course also allows you to add an Amazon or Apple gift card to the order. These are paid add-ons, not free gifts.

Available add-on amounts range from $100 to $1,500. The gift card amount is added to the $399.99 course price at checkout. For example, selecting a $500 Amazon gift card results in the course price plus the additional $500 gift card charge.

Gift cards are processed and emailed within approximately two to three business days. Gift card packages are nonrefundable after the gift card is issued. Best Buy and Lowe’s gift cards are no longer offered; current options are Amazon and Apple.

Before selecting an add-on, verify that your employer or organization permits gift card-inclusive CME purchases under its CME allowance policy.

Practice question: acute coronary syndrome

Clinical vignette

Your patient is a 58-year-old man with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a 30-pack-year smoking history. He reports 45 minutes of substernal chest pressure radiating to the left arm with diaphoresis and nausea. HR is 96/min, BP is 138/82 mm Hg, and SaO₂ is 98% on room air. ECG demonstrates 3-mm ST-segment elevations in leads V2 through V5.

Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?

A. Obtain serial high-sensitivity troponin levels before treatment
B. Schedule an outpatient exercise stress test
C. Activate the cardiac catheterization laboratory for emergent PCI
D. Obtain a chest radiograph before initiating therapy
E. Administer fibrinolysis despite the availability of PCI

Answer and explanation

C. Activate the cardiac catheterization laboratory for emergent PCI.

This patient has an acute anterior STEMI. When timely PCI is available, immediate reperfusion with PCI is preferred. Do not delay activation of the catheterization laboratory while waiting for serial biomarkers or additional imaging.

Serial troponins confirm myocardial injury but should not delay reperfusion in a patient with diagnostic ECG findings. Outpatient stress testing is inappropriate in an active STEMI. A chest radiograph may evaluate alternative diagnoses but is not the next priority. Fibrinolysis is reserved for situations in which timely PCI is unavailable or cannot be performed within the recommended treatment window.

This type of vignette tests recognition, prioritization, and time-sensitive management: skills addressed throughout the PANRE review content.

Who should purchase this course?

The course is primarily designed for PAs preparing for the traditional PANRE and completing NCCPA CME requirements.

Nurse practitioners may find the clinical content useful, but acceptance of AAPA Category 1 credit for NP licensure or certification maintenance varies by state, employer, and certifying organization. NPs should verify acceptance with their state board of nursing and applicable credentialing body before purchase.

Physicians may also use the clinical review material for professional education. However, physicians generally claim this activity as Category 2 CME, not Category 1 CME. Confirm your organization’s requirements before applying the credit.

One purchase, one focused plan

The PANRE Review Course is now an efficient option for PAs who want to combine exam preparation with CME completion:

• $399.99 for the course
• 30 months of access
• 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits
• 1,200 board-style questions
• Five 240-question practice exams
• Complete PANRE Study Library
• Online, self-paced delivery
• Optional paid Amazon or Apple gift card add-ons from $100 to $1,500

If you are recertifying through the traditional PANRE, begin with a course that addresses both requirements at the same time.

Start your PANRE preparation and earn up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits.

If your 2026 employer CME stipend expires on December 31, you may have less time than you think to use it. The same is true if you are approaching the end of an NCCPA certification maintenance cycle or preparing to apply for the PANRE.

The practical solution is to identify what your employer benefit covers, confirm your NCCPA credit requirements, and purchase a course that provides meaningful exam preparation, not a collection of unrelated activities selected at the last minute.

For physician assistants, the PANRE Review Course is $399.99, provides 30 months of access, and offers up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits through the PANRE Clinical Review Module. The course includes 1,200+ practice questions across five full-length 240-question exams, aligned with the NCCPA Blueprint.

What Expires and When?

Two separate deadlines commonly create confusion.

1. Your employer CME stipend

Employer CME benefits may be structured as:

• A calendar-year allowance
• A fiscal-year allowance
• A reimbursement account
• A CME debit or gift card
• A professional development benefit with a specific expiration date

Many benefits are use-it-or-lose-it. An unused balance may not roll over, and a purchase made after the deadline may not qualify even if you intended to use it for professional education.

Check your policy for:

• The exact expiration date and time
• Whether online CME and board-review courses qualify
• Whether gift card add-ons are permitted
• Whether the purchase must be completed before the deadline
• Whether completion must occur during the same benefit year

If the deadline is approaching, purchase before the cutoff and retain the course information required by your employer’s reimbursement process.

2. Your NCCPA certification maintenance cycle

NCCPA requires certified PAs to earn and log 100 total CME credits during each two-year cycle, including at least 50 Category 1 CME credits. The remaining credits may be Category 1, Category 2, or a combination.

A separate PANRE eligibility requirement may apply if you are using the recertification examination pathway. PAs generally need 100 Category 1 CME credits earned during the two years immediately before the PANRE application date. Confirm your specific dates and requirements directly with NCCPA’s continuing medical education guidance.

Your employer’s stipend deadline and your NCCPA cycle deadline are not necessarily the same. Plan for both.

The One-Purchase Math

The PANRE Review Course is designed to combine exam preparation and CME completion in one activity.

Course price: $399.99
Access period: 30 months
AAPA Category 1 CME: Up to 100 credits through the PANRE Clinical Review Module
Practice questions: 1,200+ questions across five 240-question exams
Exam format: Five-answer multiple-choice questions with explanations
Content alignment: NCCPA Blueprint coverage across the major organ systems and task areas

At the base price, the math is approximately $4.00 per available Category 1 CME credit. More importantly, the purchase gives you a structured review resource that can support PANRE preparation over multiple years.

The 30-month access period is useful when your employer stipend and certification cycle do not align. You can purchase before the current stipend expires, complete the activity over time, and use the material to prepare for an upcoming recertification examination.

The course includes:

• Five full-length practice exams
• 240 questions per exam
• More than 1,200 exam-style questions
• Detailed answer explanations
• A comprehensive PANRE study library
• Access to content across a 30-month period
• A mobile-friendly online format

The 100 Category 1 credits come specifically from the PANRE Clinical Review Module. They are not generated by the gift card option or by unrelated products in the CME catalog.

How the Gift Card Add-On Works

CME Review Courses also offers optional Amazon and Apple gift card add-ons from $100 to $1,500.

These are paid add-ons selected at checkout. They are not free gifts, rebates, or additional CME. They do not increase the number of credits awarded by the course.

Examples:

Purchase	Total before applicable taxes	CME available
PANRE Review Course only	$399.99	Up to 100 AAPA Category 1 credits
Course + $100 gift card	$499.99	Up to 100 AAPA Category 1 credits
Course + $500 gift card	$899.99	Up to 100 AAPA Category 1 credits
Course + $1,000 gift card	$1,399.99	Up to 100 AAPA Category 1 credits

The gift card selection allows you to match the total purchase to the amount available in your CME budget. Select the option only if your employer permits that type of add-on under its CME policy.

See the current PANRE Review Course with Gift Card listing for available options and course details.

One Purchase Does Not Mean One Night of Studying

Do not wait until the final week of the year to complete 100 credits. The better approach is to use the 30-month access period strategically:

1. Purchase before your employer deadline.
2. Confirm the course’s AAPA Category 1 designation and credit amount.
3. Complete the required course content, post-test, and evaluation.
4. Claim only the credit commensurate with your participation.
5. Log the credit with NCCPA according to its current policy.
6. Use the practice exams later for structured PANRE preparation.

A reasonable schedule is to complete one major section each month, followed by a full-length practice exam at regular intervals. This creates a sustained review plan instead of a single high-volume study session.

CME Review Courses offers 14 courses with 468.75 total AAPA Category 1 credits across the catalog. The full catalog includes clinical areas such as emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, cardiology, dermatology, neurology, orthopedics, psychiatry, and OB/GYN. The PANRE Review Course is the course specifically associated with the 100-credit PANRE Clinical Review Module.

Category 1 Versus Category 2: Confirm Your Eligibility

The PANRE Review Course carries AAPA Category 1 CME for PAs who complete the activity requirements.

Physicians and nurse practitioners should not automatically assume that AAPA Category 1 credit will be treated the same way under their own certification or licensure requirements.

• Physicians: The course may have educational value, but physician CME acceptance and Category 1 treatment depend on the applicable certifying organization, state board, and employer. In some situations, the activity may be usable only as Category 2 credit.
• Nurse practitioners: Some state boards and employers accept AAPA Category 1 credit for NP continuing education, while others require nursing-specific accreditation. Acceptance varies by state and licensure type.
• PAs: AAPA Category 1 CME may be logged toward NCCPA requirements as permitted by current NCCPA policy.

Verify the applicable rules before purchasing, particularly if you are not a PA.

Practice Question: PANRE-Style Clinical Review

Your patient is a 42-year-old woman who presents with acute dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain three days after knee surgery. HR is 118/min, BP is 128/76 mm Hg, RR is 26/min, and SaO₂ is 91% on room air. She has unilateral calf swelling and tenderness. ECG shows sinus tachycardia. What is the most appropriate next diagnostic test?

A. D-dimer assay
B. CT pulmonary angiography
C. Transthoracic echocardiography
D. Chest radiograph only
E. Lower-extremity venous ultrasound only

Answer: B. CT pulmonary angiography

CT pulmonary angiography is correct because this patient has a high pretest probability for pulmonary embolism based on recent surgery, tachycardia, hypoxemia, pleuritic chest pain, and unilateral leg findings. In a hemodynamically stable patient, CT pulmonary angiography provides direct evaluation of the pulmonary vasculature.

A D-dimer is not useful when the clinical probability is high. Transthoracic echocardiography can identify RV strain and is valuable in an unstable patient, but it does not replace definitive imaging in this stable presentation. A chest radiograph may help evaluate alternative diagnoses but cannot exclude PE. Lower-extremity ultrasound can support the diagnosis if positive, but CT pulmonary angiography is the preferred next study when there is no contraindication.

Use the Deadline Before It Uses You

Before your 2026 CME budget expires:

• Find the exact employer deadline.
• Confirm whether board-review CME is eligible.
• Verify whether a gift card add-on is allowed.
• Compare the remaining stipend with the course price.
• Purchase before the deadline.
• Use the 30-month access period to spread study and completion across your certification timeline.
• Confirm whether the credit applies to your profession and state.
• Complete and log the activity according to current requirements.

The PANRE Review Course provides a direct way for PAs to combine recertification preparation with up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits in one purchase. The optional Amazon or Apple gift card add-on can be selected to match an eligible CME budget, but it does not add credits.

For PA Students: PAtopia on Web, iOS, and Android

PAtopia is a separate PA-student exam-preparation platform. It covers the PANCE, PACKRAT, EOC, and all seven PAEA End of Rotation exams. It does not provide the 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits associated with the PANRE Clinical Review Module.

Access PAtopia on the web, or download the apps:

• PAtopia for iOS
• PAtopia for Android

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EEAT Author Box

Jeremy Boroff, MPAS, PA-C
Jeremy Boroff is a physician assistant with 24 years of Emergency Medicine experience. He develops medical education and board-review content for physician assistants, including PANRE preparation, clinical CME, and PA-student examination resources. His work emphasizes practical clinical reasoning, current guideline-based management, and exam-relevant application.

If you are planning your next NCCPA CME cycle, the label on a course matters. “CME” is not enough by itself. You need to know whether the activity is Category 1 or Category 2, whether it is designated as self-assessment, how many credits you can claim, and whether the activity is approved by a recognized accreditor.

Current PANRE Review Course details:

• Price: $499.99 for the course package listed with 30 months of access
• Access: 30 months from purchase
• CME: Up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits
• Practice questions: Five full-length examinations with 240 questions each, or 1,200 questions total
• Format: Online, self-paced enduring material
• Completion requirements: Review the content, score at least 70% on the post-test, and complete the evaluation

The course is available through the PANRE Review Course with Gift Card page. Amazon and Apple gift cards from $100 to $1,500 are optional paid add-ons. They are not free gifts and are priced separately from the CME course.

Fact 1: Category 1 credit must come from an approved educational activity

AAPA Category 1 CME is not simply any medical information you read or any activity that feels educational. The activity must meet the requirements of a recognized CME accreditor and be formally designated for Category 1 credit.

For an online enduring activity, the provider should identify:

• The approved activity title
• The number of Category 1 credits available
• The approval period
• The accrediting organization
• Any applicable AAPA reference number
• The requirements for completing the activity

You should claim only the amount of credit supported by your participation and the course documentation. The AAPA CME FAQs provide additional guidance on approved CME activities and credit types.

This is why the source of the credit matters. A course may be clinically useful but still fail to meet the Category 1 requirement if it was not appropriately approved or designated.

Fact 2: Self-assessment CME is a Category 1 subtype, not Category 2

Self-assessment CME is designed to help you identify knowledge gaps through questions, case analysis, testing, or another structured evaluation process. When the activity is properly designated as Category 1 Self-Assessment CME, it remains Category 1 credit for NCCPA purposes.

This distinction matters because self-assessment is often associated with board preparation. However, not every question bank or exam review product automatically qualifies. Look for the official accreditation statement and the exact credit designation.

NCCPA gives Category 1 Self-Assessment CME additional weight in its tracking system. For example, an activity worth 20 Category 1 Self-Assessment credits may count as 30 credits toward NCCPA requirements after the applicable multiplier is applied.

You should not calculate or alter the credit amount yourself. Log the face-value credit shown on your documentation and identify the activity as self-assessment when the provider designates it that way. NCCPA applies the appropriate calculation in its system.

Category 2 learning is different. It may include medically related reading, teaching, independent study, or other educational activities that are not formally approved as Category 1. Category 2 can contribute to the overall CME total, but it does not satisfy the minimum Category 1 requirement.

Fact 3: Most PAs need 100 CME credits in a two-year cycle

For a standard NCCPA certification maintenance cycle, the basic requirement is:

• 100 total CME credits
• At least 50 Category 1 CME credits
• The remaining credits may be Category 1, Category 2, or a combination

This means you cannot complete 100 Category 2 credits and assume the cycle is complete. At least 50 credits must be Category 1.

A course providing 100 AAPA Category 1 credits can simplify your tracking because the activity may cover the full numerical CME requirement before any applicable NCCPA weighting. You still need to complete the activity correctly and log it according to NCCPA rules.

Review the current requirements directly through the NCCPA Continuing Medical Education page, especially if your certification cycle or reporting deadline is approaching.

Fact 4: Log the activity exactly as the provider documents it

When you complete an approved course, do not enter a rounded or estimated number that differs from the course documentation. Use the activity title, completion date, credit amount, and activity type shown by the provider.

For Category 1 Self-Assessment CME, the practical process is generally:

1. Complete the required educational material.
2. Complete the post-test or assessment.
3. Complete the activity evaluation.
4. Obtain the completion documentation showing the credit amount.
5. Enter the activity in your NCCPA record using the appropriate Category 1 and self-assessment selections.
6. Keep your supporting documentation according to NCCPA requirements.

For the CME Review Courses PANRE Review Course, the post-test requires a score of at least 70%. Missed questions may be retaken to reach the passing score. The course issues documentation for the precise amount of credit earned after the completion requirements are met.

The 100 AAPA Category 1 credits discussed in this post apply to the PANRE Review Course. They do not apply to the separate Pharmacology course. The Pharmacology CME Review Package is a different product with its own credit designation.

Fact 5: Category 1 and Category 2 are not interchangeable

Category 2 can be useful, but it has a different role in your CME plan.

A Category 1 course is formally reviewed and designated by an accrediting organization. Category 2 activities are generally self-reported and may include professional learning that does not have formal Category 1 approval. Category 2 can help you reach the 100-credit total after you have met the 50-credit Category 1 minimum.

A practical approach is to complete enough Category 1 CME early in the cycle to protect the minimum requirement. You can then use Category 2 activities to supplement your total if needed.

This is also why a low-cost activity is not necessarily the best value. If it does not meet the Category 1 requirement, it may not solve the problem you are trying to solve.

Fact 6: The accreditor and the profession determine how the credit can be used

AAPA Category 1 credit is designed primarily for physician assistants. PAs should verify that the activity is appropriate for their NCCPA certification maintenance requirements.

Physicians may find the clinical content useful, but AAPA Category 1 credit generally does not function as Category 1 CME for physician certification purposes. A physician should verify whether the activity qualifies as Category 2 credit or meets the requirements of the physician’s specific certifying organization.

Nurse practitioners should also verify state-specific rules. Some state boards and employers accept AAPA Category 1 credit for NP continuing education, while others require nursing-specific approval. Acceptance can vary by state, employer, and certification body.

How the PANRE Review Course applies these facts

The PANRE Review Course with Gift Card is designed for practicing PAs who want PANRE or PANRE-LA preparation combined with a substantial Category 1 CME activity.

The current course listing includes:

• Up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits
• Five full-length practice examinations
• 1,200 board-style questions
• Detailed explanations and cited sources
• A PANRE Study Library covering the NCCPA Blueprint
• 30 months of access
• Online access from a phone, tablet, or computer

The course page lists the package at $499.99. Optional Amazon or Apple gift card add-ons range from $100 to $1,500 and are added to the purchase price. These are paid add-ons, not complimentary gifts. The value of the package should be evaluated first on the educational content, the Category 1 credit, the access period, and the relevance of the PANRE preparation.

Practice Question

Your patient is a 64-year-old woman with 12 hours of fever, RUQ pain, and jaundice. She is confused and appears ill. Vital signs are T 39.1°C, HR 122, BP 88/54 mm Hg, RR 24/min, and SaO₂ 94% on room air. Laboratory studies show leukocytosis and an elevated total bilirubin. Ultrasound demonstrates a dilated common bile duct. What is the most appropriate management?

A. Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy
B. MRCP before initiating treatment
C. Oral antibiotics and outpatient follow-up
D. IV broad-spectrum antibiotics, hemodynamic resuscitation, and urgent biliary drainage with ERCP
E. Observation with repeat liver tests in 24 hours

Correct answer: D. IV broad-spectrum antibiotics, hemodynamic resuscitation, and urgent biliary drainage with ERCP.

This patient has severe acute ascending cholangitis with hypotension and altered mental status. Initial treatment requires IV fluids, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and urgent source control through biliary drainage. Elective cholecystectomy does not address the immediate obstruction. MRCP may define anatomy but should not delay treatment in an unstable patient. Oral antibiotics and observation are inadequate.

A practical CME checklist

Before purchasing or logging an activity, confirm:

• Is the activity formally designated as AAPA Category 1?
• How many credits are available?
• Is it designated as standard Category 1, Self-Assessment, or another subtype?
• What completion requirements must you meet?
• Does the activity fall within the approval period?
• Are you logging the exact credit amount shown on the documentation?
• Will the activity meet your profession’s certification or licensing rules?

If you are a PA preparing for recertification, the PANRE Review Course combines board-style practice with 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME. If you are looking for PANCE prep courses rather than PANRE preparation, CME Review Courses also offers PAtopia.

You can try the PAtopia web version without downloading anything. PAtopia is also available through the iOS App Store and Google Play for Android.

The key point is straightforward: count your credits by category, confirm the accreditor, follow the logging rules, and choose educational products that solve both your exam-preparation and CME needs.

About the Author

Jeremy Boroff, MPAS, PA-C is a practicing emergency medicine physician assistant and the sole faculty member for the CME Review Courses PANRE review activity. He has extensive clinical experience and has served in physician assistant leadership and education roles. His review materials are written for PAs and focus on practical clinical reasoning, board-style assessment, and evidence-based management.

Educational content should not replace the current requirements published by NCCPA, AAPA, a state medical board, a state board of nursing, or another certifying organization. Verify your individual CME requirements before logging credit.

Course price: $499.99
Access: 30 months
CME: Up to 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME through the PANRE Clinical Review Module
Practice: 1,200+ board-style questions, including five 240-question full-length exams

PANRE preparation can fail in ways that are not obvious on your first day of studying. You may complete hundreds of questions but retain little. You may purchase a course but fail to finish the requirements needed to claim CME. You may also spend your employer’s CME allowance on preparation that does not match your exam format or your actual knowledge gaps.

The issue is not simply how much you study. It is whether your study process converts time and CME money into exam readiness and documented credit.

The PANRE Review Course from CME Review Courses is designed to combine both goals. Its credit-bearing component is the PANRE Clinical Review Module, which offers up to 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME when you complete the required activity components. The 100 hours apply to this PANRE course, not to the separate Pharmacology course.

1. Starting late and treating PANRE-LA like one isolated exam

A common mistake is waiting until several weeks before a traditional PANRE date to begin reviewing. A related mistake is treating PANRE-LA as if it were one high-stakes sitting rather than a rolling assessment process with repeated quarterly participation.

The NCCPA describes PANRE-LA as a longitudinal assessment. Questions are administered over time, and participants use references while answering within the allotted time. That structure rewards consistent review, not a last-minute information dump.

Cost in study time: Late preparation forces you to review every system at once. You lose the ability to identify weak areas, revisit them, and measure improvement.

Cost in CME money: A short access window or narrowly focused course may not support a multi-month or multi-quarter plan. You may need to purchase another resource when your original preparation expires.

Cost in lost credit: If you enroll in a CME activity but do not complete its content, post-test, and evaluation within your available schedule, you may not be able to claim the credit. The 100 hours remain a potential benefit until the activity requirements are completed.

A better approach is to begin with a diagnostic block, then divide study into scheduled system reviews and mixed question sets. The 30 months of access included with the PANRE Review Course allows you to use the material for either concentrated traditional PANRE preparation or a longer PANRE-LA study cadence.

2. Confusing question volume with active recall

Completing a large number of questions is not the same as learning from them. Some candidates select an answer, check whether it is correct, and immediately move to the next item. This creates the appearance of progress without requiring you to retrieve the clinical principle later.

Active recall requires you to explain why the correct answer is right, why the distractors are wrong, and what change in the stem would alter the diagnosis or management.

Cost in study time: You repeat the same errors because each question becomes an isolated event rather than part of an organized error pattern.

Cost in CME money: You may pay for a question bank or review course but use only its scoring function. That wastes the educational value of rationales, system tracking, and targeted review.

Cost in lost credit: Questions alone do not automatically award AAPA Category 1 CME. You must complete the requirements of the credit-bearing activity. For the PANRE Clinical Review Module, that includes reviewing the module content, passing the post-test, and completing the evaluation.

Use each missed or guessed question as a short retrieval exercise. Write down the diagnosis, the decisive finding, the next best step, and the reason each distractor is less appropriate. Then revisit that topic in a mixed block several days later.

The PANRE Review Course includes 1,200+ board-style practice questions, consisting of five 240-question full-length exams. The value is not just the volume. It is the opportunity to use the questions as structured practice across the organ systems and task areas addressed by the NCCPA PANRE/PANRE-LA Content Blueprint.

3. Ignoring the NCCPA PANRE/PANRE-LA Content Blueprint

Studying based only on your clinical specialty is inefficient. An emergency medicine PA may over-study acute care while under-reviewing dermatology, reproductive health, hematology, or endocrine disorders. An internal medicine PA may do the reverse.

The NCCPA PANRE/PANRE-LA Content Blueprint provides the framework for the core medical knowledge assessed on the exams. It should guide how you allocate study time, not merely confirm what you already know.

Cost in study time: You spend hours on familiar material while leaving high-value knowledge gaps unresolved.

Cost in CME money: A course can provide substantial CME, but the investment is less useful if you do not use its system organization to target weak areas.

Cost in lost credit: Unstructured studying can delay course completion. If your CME deadline arrives before you finish the module requirements, you may lose the opportunity to claim the available credit.

Start with a baseline exam or system assessment. Use your performance data to identify weak content areas. Then alternate targeted review with mixed, timed practice. The PANRE Review Course is organized for this type of full-blueprint review, while its PANRE Clinical Review Module is the component that carries the 100 AAPA Category 1 CME hours.

Review the NCCPA PANRE/PANRE-LA Content Blueprint and compare it with your study schedule.

4. Practicing facts instead of clinical vignettes

PANRE questions require more than recognition of isolated facts. You must identify the relevant information in a clinical stem, determine what the question is asking, and choose the best answer for the specific patient and setting.

A candidate who knows the medicine can still miss questions by overlooking acuity, risk factors, contraindications, or the distinction between the best initial test and the definitive test.

Cost in study time: You spend additional hours relearning content when the actual problem is interpretation of the stem.

Cost in CME money: A course with board-style questions is less valuable if you rush through the questions without analyzing the wording and rationale.

Cost in lost credit: Repeatedly avoiding post-tests or delaying completion because the questions feel unfamiliar can prevent you from finishing the credit-bearing module. The 100 hours are earned through completed participation, not purchase alone.

When reviewing, identify four elements: patient demographics, presenting symptoms, vital signs, and the requested action. Then ask whether the question wants the most likely diagnosis, the next diagnostic step, the best initial treatment, or definitive management.

PANRE-style clinical vignette

Your patient is a 58-year-old woman who is 5 days postoperative from total knee arthroplasty. She reports sudden dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain. HR is 118/min, BP is 132/78 mm Hg, RR is 26/min, and SaO2 is 89% on room air. Examination shows unilateral left calf swelling and tenderness. She has no known history of renal disease or contrast allergy.

What is the most appropriate next step?

A. Obtain a D-dimer level
B. Begin warfarin and arrange outpatient follow-up
C. Perform CT pulmonary angiography
D. Obtain a ventilation-perfusion scan
E. Order bilateral lower-extremity radiographs

Correct answer: C. Perform CT pulmonary angiography.

This patient has a high pretest probability for pulmonary embolism based on recent surgery, tachycardia, hypoxemia, pleuritic chest pain, and unilateral leg findings. CT pulmonary angiography is the appropriate diagnostic study when the patient is hemodynamically stable and has no contrast contraindication. A D-dimer is not useful in a high-probability postoperative patient. Warfarin is not appropriate initial monotherapy for suspected acute PE. A ventilation-perfusion scan is preferred when CT contrast is contraindicated. Radiographs do not evaluate the suspected diagnosis.

5. Completing the questions but skipping the post-test or evaluation

This is the quietest administrative mistake because your study dashboard may show substantial progress. However, completing practice questions is not the same as completing an AAPA-accredited CME activity.

For the PANRE Clinical Review Module, you must review the content, pass the post-test with the required score, and complete the activity evaluation. Missed post-test questions may be retaken according to the course requirements.

Cost in study time: You may need to repeat content or retrace your steps when you discover that the final credit process was not completed.

Cost in CME money: You have paid for access to an activity but have not completed the steps needed to convert that purchase into documented Category 1 CME.

Cost in lost credit: The most direct loss is the unclaimed credit. You cannot treat the 100 hours as earned until you complete the requirements and receive the appropriate certificate.

Before starting, place the post-test and evaluation on your calendar. Do not leave them for the final day of access. The course provides 30 months of access, but long access does not replace completion.

Use CME money carefully: gift card add-ons are paid options

The PANRE Review Course is available with Amazon and Apple gift card add-ons from $100 to $1,500. These are paid add-ons selected at checkout. They are not free gifts, rebates, discounts, or additional CME credits. The gift card amount is added to the total purchase price, and it does not increase the 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME.

For example, if your remaining employer CME allowance is approximately $700, you could select the $200 Amazon gift card add-on with the $499.99 course. That creates a total of $699.99 before applicable taxes or fees, subject to your employer’s CME policy.

Review the PANRE Review Course with Gift Card for current pricing, add-on selections, access terms, and CME requirements.

A practical correction plan

To avoid these five mistakes:

1. Start early enough to use diagnostic data and repeat weak areas.
2. Review rationales instead of counting questions completed.
3. Follow the NCCPA PANRE/PANRE-LA Content Blueprint.
4. Practice reading complete clinical vignettes and identifying the management question.
5. Finish the post-test and evaluation before considering the CME activity complete.

This approach gives you two measurable outcomes: better PANRE preparation and a defined path toward 100 AAPA Category 1 CME hours through the PANRE Clinical Review Module.

For PA students: PAtopia PANCE prep courses

If you are still in PA school, PAtopia is designed for PANCE prep courses and PA students. The platform includes PANCE practice exams, EOR review, PACKRAT preparation, EOC preparation, and study-library content.

You can use PAtopia on the web, download it through the iOS App Store, or access it through Google Play for Android.

PAtopia is for PA student exam preparation. It does not carry the 100 AAPA Category 1 CME hours described in this article. Those hours apply to the PANRE Clinical Review Module within the PANRE Review Course.

Author and EEAT

Jeremy Boroff, MPAS, PA-C, is an emergency medicine physician assistant with 24 years of Emergency Medicine experience. He is a PA educator, author, and CME developer who creates PANRE, PANCE, EOR, and specialty review courses for practicing clinicians and PA students. His clinical and educational work focuses on practical exam preparation, clinical reasoning, and efficient CME use.

Your employer CME allowance has a defined value and, in many organizations, an expiration date. If unused funds do not carry forward, the practical goal is to apply them to education that supports your certification requirements, exam preparation, and long-term clinical development.

The PANRE Review Course with Gift Card combines a comprehensive review program with a paid Amazon or Apple gift card add-on from $100 to $1,500. The gift card is not a free gift or giveaway. It is an optional add-on that increases the total purchase price and allows you to use more of your available CME budget in one transaction.

Course Details at a Glance

• Course price: $499.99 before the gift card add-on
• Access period: 30 months
• CME: Up to 100 hours of Category 1 AAPA CME through the PANRE Review Course
• Practice testing: Five full-length exams with 240 questions each, for 1,200 board-style questions
• Add-on choices: Amazon or Apple gift cards from $100 to $1,500
• Delivery: Online, self-paced access from a computer, tablet, or phone

The course covers the organ systems and task areas reflected in the NCCPA PANRE/PANRE-LA Content Blueprint. The course also includes the PANRE Study Library, cited answer rationales, and post-test requirements for claiming the applicable CME.

How the CME Gift Card Add-On Works

The basic calculation is straightforward:

Total purchase price = $499.99 PANRE Review Course + selected paid gift card add-on

The gift card amount is added at face value. For example:

Available CME budget	Course	Paid add-on	Total purchase
$600	$499.99	$100	$599.99
$1,000	$499.99	$500	$999.99
$1,500	$499.99	$1,000	$1,499.99
$2,000	$499.99	$1,500	$1,999.99

These examples are before any applicable taxes or employer-specific requirements. Your employer may have limits on eligible CME expenses, so confirm the policy before selecting an add-on.

The advantage is administrative efficiency. Instead of purchasing a review course now and attempting to use the remaining allowance on another educational resource before the year ends, you can select the course and add-on together. You receive the educational component immediately and use the selected gift card value toward additional tools that support learning.

Amazon and Apple gift cards are processed by email, generally within two to three business days. Gift card packages are nonrefundable, so choose the denomination carefully.

Three Practical Ways to Use Your CME Allowance

1. Match the add-on to your remaining balance

Suppose you have $1,000 remaining in your employer CME account. The PANRE Review Course costs $499.99. Selecting a $500 Amazon or Apple gift card produces a total of $999.99, leaving approximately one cent of the allowance unused before taxes.

This approach works particularly well near the end of the employer budget year. You are not buying a gift card separately; you are purchasing a CME package that includes the course and a paid add-on selected at checkout.

2. Use a larger add-on for a larger annual stipend

A PA with a $2,000 annual CME allowance could select the $1,500 add-on. The course and add-on total $1,999.99 before taxes.

The add-on value can be directed toward educational tools such as:

• Medical reference books
• Digital clinical references
• Study accessories and supplies
• A tablet or computer used for coursework
• Apps and technology that support exam preparation
• Professional reading and clinical education resources

The specific use of the card is up to the purchaser. The educational value of the package comes from the PANRE review content and CME credit; the add-on provides additional purchasing flexibility.

3. Select a lower add-on when your budget is limited

A smaller budget does not eliminate the value of the course. If you have $600 available, the $100 add-on brings the total to $599.99 before taxes.

This option gives you the full PANRE Review Course, 30 months of access, and the opportunity to earn the course’s 100 hours of Category 1 AAPA CME after completing the required activity components.

The Core Educational Value: 100 Hours Through the PANRE Review Course

The PANRE Review Course provides up to 100 hours of Category 1 AAPA CME upon completion of the PANRE Clinical Review Module requirements. You must review the content, complete the post-test with a passing score, and complete the activity evaluation. Credit should be claimed commensurate with your participation.

The course also includes five 240-question full-length practice examinations. That provides 1,200 questions for timed practice, knowledge assessment, and review of explanations. The content is designed for practicing PAs preparing for the PANRE or PANRE-LA while completing meaningful CME.

The Pharmacology Course is separate. It also offers Category 1 AAPA CME, with up to 12.5 hours available through the pharmacology module, but it does not carry the 100 hours associated with the PANRE Review Course. Review the Pharmacology CME Review Package if you need pharmacology-specific education.

Who Can Claim the Credit?

The AAPA Category 1 designation applies directly to physician assistants. PAs may use the credit toward applicable NCCPA CME requirements according to NCCPA policy.

The audience is broader than PAs, but the credit treatment differs:

• Physician assistants: May claim the applicable AAPA Category 1 CME.
• Physicians: Physicians purchasing the content generally receive Category 2 CME rather than Category 1 physician CME. Verify acceptance with your credentialing organization.
• Nurse practitioners: Some state boards and employers accept AAPA Category 1 credit for NP continuing education, but this varies by state. NPs should confirm requirements with their state board of nursing and certifying organization before purchasing.

The course may be clinically useful for physicians, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, and other clinicians, but each professional is responsible for confirming how the activity applies to their own renewal requirements.

PANRE Practice Question

Your patient is a 64-year-old man with hypertension and tobacco use who presents with 45 minutes of substernal chest pressure radiating to the left jaw. He is diaphoretic. Vital signs are BP 158/92, HR 104, RR 20, and SaO₂ 96% on room air. ECG shows 2-mm ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF.

Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A. Order CT angiography of the chest
B. Arrange emergent coronary angiography with PCI
C. Repeat the ECG in 30 minutes
D. Administer an oral beta-blocker and observe
E. Schedule outpatient stress testing

Correct answer: B. Arrange emergent coronary angiography with PCI.

This patient has an acute inferior STEMI. Emergent PCI is the preferred reperfusion strategy when it can be performed within the recommended time frame. CT angiography is not indicated when the ECG establishes an acute coronary occlusion pattern and would delay reperfusion. Repeating the ECG or arranging outpatient testing delays definitive treatment. An oral beta-blocker does not address the immediate need for reperfusion and may be unsafe in patients with bradycardia, hypotension, conduction disease, or evolving right ventricular infarction.

This type of question illustrates the course’s practical emphasis: recognize the presentation, identify the time-sensitive diagnosis, and select the management step that changes outcomes.

How This Compares With PANCE Prep Courses

The PANRE Review Course is intended for PAs preparing for recertification rather than students preparing for initial certification. However, the clinical foundation overlaps with the broader medical content found in many PANCE prep courses, including cardiology, pulmonary medicine, infectious disease, emergency medicine, and pharmacology.

If you are already practicing and need recertification preparation plus CME, a PANRE-focused course may be more appropriate than an entry-level PANCE resource. If you are a PA student, select a course designed for your examination and training stage.

Use Your CME Budget Before It Expires

The most efficient purchase depends on your allowance, your remaining CME needs, and your certification timeline. Before choosing an add-on:

1. Confirm your employer’s CME spending rules.
2. Identify the amount remaining in your allowance.
3. Select the PANRE Review Course if you need broad exam preparation and Category 1 AAPA CME.
4. Add the $100–$1,500 Amazon or Apple gift card tier that fits your budget.
5. Complete the course requirements and claim only the credit you earn.
6. Use the add-on value toward appropriate educational tools, references, or study resources.

Explore the PANRE Review Course with Amazon and Apple gift card add-on options. The package provides 30 months of access, 1,200 full-length practice questions, and up to 100 hours of Category 1 AAPA CME through the PANRE Review Course.

About the Author

Jeremy Boroff, MPAS, PA-C is an emergency medicine physician assistant with 24 years of clinical experience as a PA-C and seven additional years of experience as a registered respiratory therapist. He is a PA educator, CME developer, and author of PANRE, PANCE, EOR, and specialty medical review courses at CME Review Courses.

PANRE format decision: Traditional PANRE concentrates preparation into one proctored exam sitting. PANRE-LA distributes assessment across 8–12 quarterly assessments.

PANRE Review Course: $499.99, with 30 months of access, 2,500+ board-style questions, five full-length 240-question practice examinations, and up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits upon completion.

CME gift card option: Amazon and Apple Gift Card add-ons from $100 to $1,500 may be added to the purchase. These are paid add-ons, not free gifts.

The practical issue is not only which exam format feels more comfortable. Your choice changes when you should study, when you should purchase CME, how you should distribute question-bank work, and when you should document completed credit.

Choose the exam format first. Then build the CME calendar around it.

Traditional PANRE and PANRE-LA Create Different Study Calendars

The traditional PANRE is a single, high-stakes, closed-book, proctored examination. It consists of 240 questions administered in one testing appointment. Most traditional PANRE preparation therefore follows a concentrated model: establish a baseline, review weak systems, complete timed practice blocks, and finish with full-length examinations.

PANRE-LA is a longitudinal assessment. It is completed online across 12 quarters, with 25 questions per quarter. You must complete at least eight quarters, and your performance is calculated using your best eight quarters. The questions are open-book, and you may use printed or online clinical references, but you may not consult another person.

These formats assess the same broad clinical knowledge through the NCCPA Blueprint, but the timing demands are different:

• Traditional PANRE: One concentrated preparation block followed by one exam sitting.
• PANRE-LA: Repeated quarterly preparation, assessment, review, and credit-reporting tasks.
• Traditional PANRE CME: The exam itself does not replace your regular CME requirement.
• PANRE-LA CME: Completed quarters may qualify for self-assessment CME, but PANRE-LA does not replace the standard CME requirements for your cycle.

The NCCPA PANRE-LA fact sheet and NCCPA certification-maintenance information should remain your primary sources for current eligibility and reporting rules.

If You Choose Traditional PANRE: Build a Concentrated CME and Question Calendar

Traditional PANRE preparation works best when you establish a defined start date rather than leaving the course open-ended without a testing target.

A practical timeline is:

Six to twelve months before the exam

Confirm your eligibility, testing window, and CME-cycle deadlines. If you purchase the PANRE Review Course early, the 30-month access period gives you time to complete CME while gradually reviewing the NCCPA Blueprint.

Do not wait until the final weeks to begin claiming or documenting credit. Complete modules in a deliberate sequence and maintain your own record of the modules completed and the credit earned.

Eight to twelve weeks before the exam

Take a baseline practice examination. The course includes five full-length 240-question examinations, for 1,200 full-exam questions, in addition to the broader question bank.

Use the baseline to identify weak areas. A PA working primarily in emergency medicine, for example, may need more deliberate review of dermatology, women’s health, endocrinology, or preventive medicine. The goal is not simply to accumulate questions. The goal is to convert missed questions into targeted study.

Four to six weeks before the exam

Increase question-bank volume. Work system-specific blocks during the week and use mixed blocks on weekends. Review every incorrect answer and every correct answer reached by guessing.

This is also an appropriate period to complete additional CME modules if your cycle is approaching its reporting deadline. The 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits belong to the PANRE Review Course specifically. They are not automatically awarded for sitting for the traditional PANRE.

Final two weeks

Complete timed blocks and at least one additional full-length practice examination. Avoid changing your entire study system at the last minute. The final phase should identify persistent gaps, not create a new curriculum.

If You Choose PANRE-LA: Convert CME Into a Quarterly Workflow

PANRE-LA rewards consistency more than a single intense review period. The quarterly structure changes how you should use a PANRE review course.

For each quarter:

1. Review the relevant clinical topics before beginning the assessment.
2. Complete the 25 questions using references appropriately.
3. Record the questions you missed or answered uncertainly.
4. Review the clinical reasoning behind each answer.
5. Document any eligible self-assessment CME according to NCCPA instructions.
6. Revisit the topic before the next quarter rather than waiting until the end of the assessment window.

Because PANRE-LA permits open-book references, preparation should emphasize retrieval and clinical reasoning. You should be able to recognize the likely diagnosis, identify the next best step, interpret common laboratory and imaging results, and select appropriate treatment without spending the entire five-minute question window searching.

The 25-question quarterly format can also help you stage your question-bank volume. Instead of completing hundreds of questions in a short block, use a repeatable schedule:

• Week 1: Review high-yield material and complete a small mixed question block.
• Week 2: Work system-specific questions related to your weaker topics.
• Week 3: Complete another mixed block and review distractors.
• Week 4: Perform a focused review before and after the quarterly assessment.

The full PANRE Review Course remains useful for PANRE-LA because it follows the same broad NCCPA Blueprint and provides enough question volume to continue studying between quarters. However, do not treat PANRE-LA as a reason to postpone all CME until the assessment period is over. Your ordinary two-year CME obligations continue.

Where 100 Category 1 AAPA Credits Fit

The PANRE Review Course provides up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits when the activity requirements are completed. The course costs $499.99 and provides 30 months of access.

The package includes:

• 2,500+ board-style practice questions
• Five full-length PANRE examinations
• 240 questions per full-length examination
• Detailed rationales and cited references
• A complete PANRE study library
• Up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits
• Online, self-paced access for 30 months

For a traditional PANRE candidate, this can support a concentrated review block while also helping organize a two-year CME cycle. For a PANRE-LA candidate, the same access period can support repeated quarterly review and sustained question practice.

The course itself is not a substitute for checking your NCCPA account, certification cycle, or state requirements. Claim only the credit commensurate with your participation and complete the required post-test and evaluation.

CME Review Courses also offers 14 approved courses totaling up to 468.75 AAPA Category 1 CME credits through Total Program Access. That larger program includes specialty content in areas such as emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, cardiology, dermatology, psychiatry, neurology, orthopedics, and OB/GYN. The 100-credit claim in this article applies specifically to the PANRE Review Course.

How the gift card add-ons work

The PANRE Review Course with Gift Card allows you to add an Amazon or Apple Gift Card during purchase. Available options range from $100 to $1,500.

The card amount increases the total purchase price. It is not a free gift, rebate, or separate promotional item. Review your employer’s CME purchasing policy before selecting an add-on.

Question Volume Should Match the Exam Format

For traditional PANRE, your question-bank plan should eventually include timed, mixed, full-length practice. You need to demonstrate that you can maintain accuracy and pacing across one extended sitting.

For PANRE-LA, prioritize repeated exposure and review between quarters. You do not need to simulate a 240-question sitting every week, but you do need to maintain broad clinical coverage. Open-book testing does not eliminate the need for preparation. It changes the skill being tested from pure recall to efficient clinical reasoning and reference use.

Use performance data to decide whether you need more cardiology, pulmonary, infectious disease, pharmacology, women’s health, or another area. Do not use the calendar alone to determine readiness.

Practice Question

Your patient is a 64-year-old woman who is postoperative day 5 after total knee arthroplasty. She develops sudden dyspnea and pleuritic right-sided chest pain. HR is 118/min, BP is 128/76 mm Hg, RR is 26/min, and SaO₂ is 91% on room air. She has no hemoptysis. Examination shows mild unilateral calf swelling. Her clinical probability for pulmonary embolism is high.

What is the most appropriate next diagnostic step?

A. D-dimer assay
B. Chest radiograph only
C. CT pulmonary angiography
D. Transthoracic echocardiography as the initial test
E. Lower-extremity venous ultrasound only

Correct answer: C. CT pulmonary angiography.

With high pretest probability and hemodynamic stability, CT pulmonary angiography is the appropriate diagnostic study for suspected PE. A D-dimer is not useful when clinical probability is high and is likely to be elevated after surgery. A chest radiograph may identify alternative pathology but does not diagnose PE. Echocardiography is primarily useful for assessing RV strain in an unstable patient or when CT is not feasible. Venous ultrasound can support the diagnosis if positive but does not replace definitive chest imaging in this stable patient.

This type of question illustrates why both exam formats require broad clinical preparation. PANRE-LA allows reference use, but you still need to identify the correct diagnostic pathway efficiently. Traditional PANRE requires the same reasoning without relying on references during the test.

Use PAtopia for Earlier PA Exam Preparation

PAtopia is designed for PA students preparing for the PACKRAT, EOR examinations, EOC, and PANCE. It includes 11,000+ board-style questions, seven EOR rotations, 15 PANCE examinations, system-based analytics, and detailed explanations.

You can use the PAtopia web version in a browser or download the apps:

• PAtopia on iOS
• PAtopia on Android

The apps provide a free three-day trial with no account required. PAtopia is intended for PANCE prep courses and PA-school examination preparation, while the PANRE Review Course is designed for practicing PAs managing recertification and CME.

Bottom Line

Do not buy CME first and decide on your exam format later.

If you choose traditional PANRE, set a concentrated study period, use timed mixed blocks, and finish with full-length examinations. If you choose PANRE-LA, organize your preparation around the quarterly assessment schedule and review missed concepts between quarters.

In either case, the PANRE Review Course provides up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits, 30 months of access, and a large question bank that can be staged around your actual timeline. Amazon and Apple Gift Card options from $100 to $1,500 can be added to the purchase, but they are paid add-ons and not free gifts.

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Author Information

Jeremy Boroff, MPAS, PA-C, has 24 years of experience in Emergency Medicine and serves as an educator and founder of CME Review Courses. His educational content is written for physician assistants and focuses on practical clinical reasoning, certification examination preparation, and efficient CME completion.

Physician assistants should confirm current NCCPA requirements and report CME according to applicable certification policies. Nurse practitioners, CRNAs, and physicians should verify whether AAPA Category 1 credit is accepted by their state licensing board, employer, or certifying organization.