CME Review Courses

Course price: $499.99
Access: 30 months
CME: Up to 100 Category 1 AAPA CME credits through the PANRE Review Course
Practice questions: 1,200+ questions across five 240-question exams
Gift card options: Paid Amazon or Apple add-ons from $100 to $1,500

If you have unused CME funds, the most practical strategy is to match your purchase to the amount remaining in your employer allowance. The PANRE Review Course combines exam preparation with up to 100 Category 1 AAPA CME credits. You can also select a paid Amazon or Apple Gift Card add-on in an amount from $100 to $1,500.

The gift card add-on is not free, and it is not a giveaway. You choose the gift card amount and pay that amount as part of the CME purchase. The add-on does not increase the number of CME credits. Its value is that it allows you to use more of an available CME budget toward educational tools, technology, books, and other eligible professional needs, subject to your employer’s policy.

Why Pair PANRE Preparation With CME Planning?

Most PAs have two separate needs:

1. Complete enough CME for certification maintenance and professional development.
2. Prepare efficiently for the PANRE or PANRE-LA.

The PANRE Review Course addresses both needs in one online program. It is listed at $499.99, includes 30 months of access, and provides 1,200+ questions across five 240-question practice exams. The course also includes clinical review content designed around the NCCPA Blueprint.

The course offers up to 100 Category 1 AAPA CME credits. These credits apply specifically to the PANRE Review Course. They do not apply to the separate Pharmacology Course.

For NCCPA certification maintenance, PAs generally need 100 CME credits during each two-year cycle, including at least 50 Category 1 credits. State licensing requirements may differ. Review your current NCCPA cycle, state requirements, and employer reimbursement policy before selecting a course.

Important Distinction: The Gift Card Add-On Is Paid

The purchase structure is straightforward:

• Base PANRE Review Course: $499.99
• Selected Amazon or Apple gift card: $100–$1,500
• Total purchase: base course price plus the selected gift card amount

The gift card is not a promotional gift provided at no cost. If you select a $300 Amazon Gift Card, you pay an additional $300. If you select a $1,000 Apple Gift Card, you pay an additional $1,000.

The CME credit amount remains tied to the course. A $100 add-on and a $1,500 add-on do not provide different CME credit totals. Both are paid add-ons attached to the course purchase.

This distinction matters when you are asking an employer to approve the purchase. Confirm that your organization allows the purchase of a CME package with a paid gift card add-on and determine whether the entire amount can be applied to your remaining professional development allowance.

Use Simple Budget Math Before You Buy

Start with three numbers:

• Your remaining CME allowance
• The $499.99 course price
• The gift card amount you want to add

The basic formula is:

Remaining allowance − $499.99 = maximum available add-on

For example, if you have $599.99 remaining:

• $599.99 allowance
• Minus $499.99 PANRE Review Course
• Remaining amount: $100
• Appropriate selection: $100 Amazon or Apple Gift Card add-on
• Total purchase: $599.99

If you have $799.99 remaining:

• $799.99 allowance
• Minus $499.99 course
• Remaining amount: $300
• Appropriate selection: $300 gift card add-on
• Total purchase: $799.99

If you have $999.99 remaining:

• $999.99 allowance
• Minus $499.99 course
• Remaining amount: $500
• Appropriate selection: $500 gift card add-on
• Total purchase: $999.99

If your employer provides a $1,500 remaining allowance, the calculation is:

• $1,500 allowance
• Minus $499.99 course
• Maximum add-on supported by the allowance: $1,000.01

Because gift card tiers are offered in fixed amounts, you could select a $1,000 add-on and keep a small amount of the allowance unused. The correct selection depends on your employer’s reimbursement rules and whether taxes or other transaction charges apply.

Do not select the highest available gift card simply because it is available. Select the amount that fits your documented allowance and your actual professional needs.

Choosing Amazon Versus Apple

Your choice should match how you plan to use the funds.

An Amazon Gift Card may be useful for eligible purchases such as:

• Medical reference books
• Clinical equipment and supplies
• Study materials
• Office equipment
• Professional organization items
• General educational resources

An Apple Gift Card may be useful for eligible purchases such as:

• An iPad used for studying
• Educational applications
• Digital medical references
• Apple accessories
• Other Apple products or services allowed by your employer

These examples do not override employer restrictions. Some organizations permit only traditional course fees. Others allow technology, books, or professional supplies. Ask your CME coordinator or human resources department before completing the order.

What You Receive From the PANRE Review Course

The PANRE Review Course is intended for practicing PAs preparing for recertification. The course includes:

• Up to 100 Category 1 AAPA CME credits
• 30 months of access
• Five 240-question practice exams
• More than 1,200 total practice questions
• Board-style clinical vignettes
• Answer explanations and rationale
• Broad clinical coverage across the NCCPA Blueprint

The course is self-paced and designed for use across an extended certification cycle. You can study by organ system, complete practice exams, identify knowledge gaps, and return to difficult sections over time.

PAs should claim only the CME credit they complete according to the activity requirements. Keep your course documentation and confirm the activity’s current accreditation information before logging credit.

NPs and physicians may find the clinical content useful. However, AAPA Category 1 credit is primarily relevant to PA certification maintenance. Nurse practitioners and physicians may be able to count the activity differently, including as Category 2, depending on state rules, licensing requirements, employer policy, or certification requirements. Verify acceptance with the appropriate board or certifying organization.

Practice Question

Clinical Vignette

A 68-year-old man with hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents with sudden-onset right-sided weakness and expressive aphasia that began 75 minutes ago. He takes aspirin and atorvastatin but no anticoagulant. BP is 178/102 mm Hg, HR is 88/min and irregular, RR is 18/min, and SaO₂ is 97% on room air. Finger-stick glucose is 112 mg/dL. Noncontrast CT of the head shows no hemorrhage or established infarction. CT angiography demonstrates a left middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?

A. Administer IV alteplase without further blood pressure treatment
B. Lower the blood pressure below 185/110 mm Hg and administer IV thrombolysis
C. Start aspirin and defer reperfusion therapy for 24 hours
D. Begin IV heparin and observe for neurological improvement
E. Administer a beta blocker only and repeat CT in 6 hours

Answer: B. Lower the blood pressure below 185/110 mm Hg and administer IV thrombolysis.

The patient has an acute ischemic stroke within the treatment window, no hemorrhage on CT, and a BP above the usual thrombolysis threshold. BP should be reduced below 185/110 mm Hg before IV thrombolysis. Mechanical thrombectomy may also be indicated for a large-vessel occlusion, depending on eligibility and local stroke protocols.

Aspirin is not an adequate substitute for reperfusion therapy in this setting. Heparin is not routinely used for acute ischemic stroke. Waiting for repeat imaging would delay time-sensitive treatment.

Use Your CME Budget Deliberately

A well-planned CME purchase should provide educational value first. The paid gift card add-on is a budgeting option, not the reason to ignore accreditation or employer rules.

Before ordering:

1. Confirm the amount remaining in your CME allowance.
2. Subtract the $499.99 PANRE Review Course price.
3. Select an Amazon or Apple add-on that does not exceed the remaining amount.
4. Confirm that your employer permits the specific purchase structure.
5. Verify the Category 1 AAPA accreditation details and completion requirements.
6. Log only the credit you complete and are eligible to claim.

For additional PA exam preparation, CME Review Courses also offers PAtopia, a separate platform for PANCE, PACKRAT, EOC, and PAEA End of Rotation preparation. You can use the PAtopia web version, or download the PAtopia iOS app and PAtopia Android app. These resources are designed for PA students and are separate from the PANRE CME course.

Start With the Course and Add-On That Match Your Allowance

The PANRE Review Course and CME gift card add-on page allows you to review the course details and select a paid Amazon or Apple Gift Card amount from $100 to $1,500.

The practical goal is simple: use your available CME funds for a qualifying educational activity, earn up to 100 Category 1 AAPA credits through the PANRE Review Course, and choose an add-on amount that matches, not exceeds, your remaining allowance.

About the Author: Jeremy Boroff, MPAS, PA-C, is an emergency medicine physician assistant, PA educator, and CME developer with extensive clinical experience. He creates PANRE, PANCE, EOR, and specialty review content for physician assistants through CME Review Courses.

If you are approaching the later years of your 10-year certification cycle, you generally have two recertification pathways to compare: the PANRE-LA and the traditional PANRE.

The choice affects your deadlines, testing environment, retake options, study schedule, and how you use your annual CME budget. The right preparation plan depends less on finding a single “best” option and more on matching the format to your clinical schedule and testing preferences.

PANRE-LA vs Traditional PANRE: Essential Logistics

• PANRE-LA: Up to 12 quarterly assessments over three years, generally during years 7–9 of the certification cycle.
• Traditional PANRE: One proctored examination taken during years 9 or 10.
• PANRE-LA scoring: Cumulative scoring using your best eight completed quarters, with a passing score of 1150 on a 1000–1500 scale.
• Traditional PANRE scoring: One scaled score from 200–800, with a passing score of 379.
• PANRE Review Course: $399.99, with 30 months of access, 1,200+ questions across five 240-question exams, and 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credit.

The 100 AAPA Category 1 credits apply to the PANRE Review Course only. They do not apply to the Pharmacology course.

Review the PANRE course options from CME Review Courses.

How the PANRE-LA Format Works

The PANRE-LA spreads assessment across a longitudinal format rather than concentrating the entire exam into one sitting.

You typically apply during year 6 and participate during years 7, 8, and 9. Each quarter includes 25 questions delivered on a set schedule. You may complete the questions within the designated quarterly window, but missed questions or missed quarters do not simply roll forward into the next period.

You may skip up to four quarters, but you must still complete the required participation minimums, including at least one quarter in year 7 and one quarter in year 8. At least eight quarters are required for the primary scoring process.

The scoring model is also different from the traditional PANRE. Your performance accumulates across the assessment period, and NCCPA uses your best eight quarters when determining your result. The passing standard is 1150 on the PANRE-LA scoring scale.

This means one poor quarter does not necessarily determine your outcome. You still need consistent preparation, but a difficult clinical period or weaker performance in one quarter may be offset by stronger performance later.

If you meet the passing standard after the required number of quarters, you can exit the PANRE-LA process early. If you do not pass after eight quarters, you may continue through the remaining available quarters. If you complete all 12 quarters without passing, the fallback pathway is the traditional PANRE in year 10, with up to three attempts under the applicable NCCPA rules.

Review the NCCPA PANRE-LA fact sheet for current program details and participation requirements.

How the Traditional PANRE Format Works

The traditional PANRE is a single, proctored examination generally available during years 9 and 10 of the certification cycle.

It includes 240 questions divided into four 60-question blocks. Your result comes from that one examination event. There is no cumulative quarterly score and no best-quarter calculation.

This format may work well if you prefer a defined target date and a concentrated study period. It may be less convenient if your clinical schedule is unpredictable or if you do not perform well under single-day testing conditions.

The traditional PANRE allows multiple attempts, but there are important limitations:

• You must wait 90 days between attempts of the same examination.
• You may take the traditional PANRE up to four total times across years 9 and 10, subject to NCCPA rules.
• If you do not pass within the available attempts by the end of year 10, your certification may expire.

The traditional PANRE therefore gives you more than one opportunity, but each attempt still requires scheduling, preparation, and a substantial time commitment.

Deadlines and Retake Pathways: The Practical Difference

The largest difference between the two formats is where the pressure occurs.

With PANRE-LA, the pressure is distributed across quarterly deadlines. You have more opportunities to demonstrate knowledge, but you must remain engaged over a longer period. A missed quarter can create a planning problem because the quarter does not automatically transfer to the next cycle.

With traditional PANRE, the pressure is concentrated in one testing appointment. You choose a date within the available testing period, prepare for the full examination, and receive one score from that sitting.

A simplified comparison looks like this:

Current rules can change, so confirm your specific eligibility and deadlines directly through NCCPA’s certification maintenance information and your NCCPA portal.

How Each Format Changes Your Study Hours

Your study plan should match the format you choose.

A PANRE-LA study plan

PANRE-LA preparation is best treated as a recurring habit. You might schedule a short review block each week, such as:

• Reviewing one clinical system or specialty
• Completing a small group of practice questions
• Rechecking missed concepts
• Updating notes on medications, diagnostic criteria, and management pathways

A practical approach is to study in smaller blocks throughout the year rather than waiting until the quarterly deadline. The goal is to maintain broad clinical recall across the NCCPA Blueprint while identifying weak areas early.

This format may be especially useful if you work full-time, have variable shifts, or prefer repeated exposure to clinical material. It also gives you a longer runway to use a comprehensive review course.

A traditional PANRE study plan

Traditional PANRE preparation usually requires a more structured study sprint. Many PAs use an eight- to twelve-week schedule, increasing study time as the examination approaches.

A typical plan may include:

1. A diagnostic baseline exam
2. System-by-system review
3. Daily or near-daily practice questions
4. Focused remediation of missed topics
5. Full-length timed exams before the test date

The exact number of study hours depends on your baseline knowledge, time since your last formal exam, specialty, and work schedule. A PA who practices emergency medicine may need a different emphasis than a PA working primarily in dermatology, psychiatry, or orthopedics.

The important point is that the traditional PANRE does not reward last-minute familiarity with only one specialty. You need broad preparation across the NCCPA Blueprint and enough timed practice to complete 240 questions in one sitting.

Where 100 Category 1 AAPA Credits Fit

A long recertification timeline creates an opportunity to combine exam preparation with your CME plan.

The PANRE Review Course costs $399.99, provides 30 months of access, and includes:

• 1,200+ practice questions
• Five 240-question exams
• Content covering major clinical areas relevant to PANRE preparation
• 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credit

At $399.99 for 100 credits, the course gives you a structured way to address a substantial portion of your CME needs while building exam readiness. The 30-month access period also aligns well with the longer preparation timeline associated with PANRE-LA.

For traditional PANRE candidates, the same access period allows you to begin early, complete a baseline assessment, identify gaps, and return to the material during a focused preparation sprint.

CME requirements vary by profession, state, employer, and certification body. PAs should confirm how credits apply to their own requirements. Nurse practitioners, physicians, and other healthcare professionals may find the clinical content useful, but AAPA Category 1 eligibility should not be assumed for every profession or jurisdiction.

The 100 AAPA Category 1 credits are specific to the PANRE Review Course. They are not included with or assigned to the Pharmacology course.

Using CME Gift Cards With Your Annual Budget

The course purchase may also include paid Amazon or Apple gift card add-ons ranging from $100 to $1,500.

These are paid add-ons, not free gifts. The add-on increases the total purchase price and should be considered as part of your CME budget decision. Depending on your employer’s policy, the option may help you allocate available professional development funds toward a purchase that combines education with a flexible add-on.

Before selecting an add-on, verify that your employer or organization permits this type of CME purchase and understand how your budget is administered. The gift card option does not increase the number of AAPA Category 1 credits. The educational value comes from the course content and its included credits; the add-on is a separate paid option.

If you are comparing cme gift cards, review the total price, course deliverables, access period, and credit type rather than focusing only on the add-on amount.

Clinical Practice Question

Your patient is a 67-year-old man with a 45-pack-year smoking history who presents with worsening dyspnea and increased sputum production. His HR is 104 bpm, BP is 138/84 mmHg, RR is 24/min, and SaO₂ is 89% on room air. He has diffuse expiratory wheezing. Chest radiography shows hyperinflation without focal infiltrate.

Question: Which treatment is most appropriate for this patient’s acute COPD exacerbation?

A. Inhaled corticosteroid monotherapy
B. Nebulized short-acting bronchodilator therapy
C. Long-term oral prednisone indefinitely
D. Antibiotics for every COPD exacerbation regardless of symptoms

Correct answer: B. Nebulized short-acting bronchodilator therapy.

Short-acting inhaled bronchodilators are initial treatment for acute airflow limitation during a COPD exacerbation. Inhaled corticosteroid monotherapy is not an appropriate acute replacement for bronchodilator therapy. Long-term oral prednisone is avoided because of cumulative systemic toxicity; a short course may be used when clinically indicated. Antibiotics are reserved for suspected bacterial infection, such as increased dyspnea, sputum volume, and sputum purulence or severe exacerbation features.

Bottom Line

PANRE-LA spreads assessment across quarterly deadlines and rewards consistent preparation. Traditional PANRE concentrates preparation and performance into a single proctored examination during years 9 or 10.

If you prefer ongoing study and distributed testing, PANRE-LA may fit your schedule. If you prefer a defined exam date and a concentrated review period, traditional PANRE may be more practical.

Either way, start before the deadline approaches. The PANRE Review Course offers 30 months of access, 1,200+ questions, five 240-question exams, and 100 AAPA Category 1 credits for $399.99. The included 100 Category 1 AAPA credits apply only to the PANRE Review Course, not the Pharmacology course.

CME Review Courses also offers additional PANCE prep courses and specialty review resources for clinicians building a broader preparation plan.

Course price: $399.99
Access: 30 months
CME: Up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits from the PANRE Clinical Review Module
Practice: 1,200+ questions across five 240-question exams
Optional add-on: Paid Amazon or Apple gift card options from $100 to $1,500

AAPA Category 1 CME is not interchangeable with every educational activity you complete. The category affects how the activity may be applied to your NCCPA certification maintenance requirements, how the credit is documented, and whether the activity satisfies a Category 1 minimum.

The PANRE Review Course is designed to combine exam preparation with a substantial Category 1 CME opportunity. The 100 AAPA Category 1 credits come from the PANRE Clinical Review Module only. They do not come from the Pharmacology course.

The course includes five full-length exams with 240 questions each, for more than 1,200 board-style questions. It provides 30 months of access and is available through the PANRE course category.

Fact 1: Category 1 CME is formally designated educational credit

AAPA Category 1 CME is educational activity that has been planned, reviewed, and designated according to applicable CME standards. The activity should have defined learning objectives, educational content, evaluation requirements, and a process for documenting participation.

Examples may include:

• Accredited live conferences
• Enduring online educational activities
• Structured self-assessment activities
• Performance improvement CME
• Certain approved teaching or quality-improvement activities

The important point is designation. Reading a medical article, attending an informal staff meeting, or reviewing a topic independently may be professionally useful, but it is not automatically AAPA Category 1 CME.

You should confirm that an activity identifies the accrediting organization, the number of available credits, the completion requirements, and the applicable approval information. The AAPA CME FAQ provides additional guidance on CME categories and accreditation.

Fact 2: Category 2 CME is different from Category 1 CME

Category 2 CME generally includes medically related educational activities that are not formally designated for Category 1 credit by an approved sponsor. Depending on the activity and NCCPA rules, examples may include independent medical reading, informal educational sessions, or other professional learning activities.

Category 2 credit can still be useful. However, it may not substitute for Category 1 credit when a certification authority requires a specific Category 1 minimum.

For NCCPA certification maintenance, PAs generally need 100 CME credits during each two-year cycle, with at least 50 credits designated as Category 1 CME. The remaining credits may be Category 1 or Category 2, subject to current NCCPA requirements.

Review the current NCCPA CME requirements before reporting credits. Your reporting responsibilities include claiming only the credit you actually complete and maintaining appropriate documentation for your records.

Fact 3: The category matters for PA recertification

If you complete 100 total CME credits but have only 35 Category 1 credits, you may still be short of the Category 1 minimum even though your total number of credits appears complete.

This is why PAs should track two separate numbers:

1. Total CME credits
2. Total Category 1 CME credits

A single activity offering 100 AAPA Category 1 credits can simplify that calculation. After completing the required course content, post-test, and evaluation, the PANRE Clinical Review Module provides up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits, commensurate with your participation.

The course is also structured around PANRE preparation. It covers clinical topics relevant to the NCCPA examination and includes five 240-question exams with answer rationales and cited sources. If you are comparing PANCE prep courses, confirm that the course you choose matches your current goal. PANCE preparation is intended for initial certification, while the PANRE Review Course is designed for practicing PAs preparing for recertification.

Fact 4: The 100 Category 1 credits apply to the PANRE Clinical Review Module, not Pharmacology

This distinction is important.

The 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits are awarded through the PANRE Clinical Review Module. They should not be attributed to the Pharmacology course. The Pharmacology course is a separate Category 1 AAPA CME offering with its own educational scope and credit designation.

The PANRE course includes:

• 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits
• Five 240-question practice examinations
• More than 1,200 total exam questions
• 30 months of access
• Clinical review content aligned with the NCCPA PANRE/PANRE-LA examination information

Completion requirements apply. You must complete the activity according to the course instructions, pass the post-test, and complete the evaluation to claim the applicable CME credit. Claim only the amount supported by your actual participation.

Fact 5: AAPA Category 1 credit is not automatically the same for every clinician

The primary audience for AAPA Category 1 CME is physician assistants. For PAs, properly designated AAPA Category 1 CME may be reported toward NCCPA certification maintenance, subject to NCCPA policy.

Other clinicians may purchase and use the educational content, but the credit classification can differ:

• Physicians: Physicians may find the clinical content useful, but AAPA Category 1 credit generally counts as Category 2 CME for physicians rather than physician Category 1 credit.
• Nurse practitioners: Whether AAPA credit counts toward NP continuing education varies by state, licensing board, certifying organization, and employer. NPs should verify acceptance with the applicable state board of nursing before purchase.
• CRNAs: CRNAs and other advanced practice clinicians should confirm whether the activity meets the requirements of their licensing or certification organization.

The course content was written for physician assistants, but internal medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, and other clinicians have purchased the program for its clinical review value.

Clinical Practice Question

Vignette

You are evaluating a 67-year-old man with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia who reports 45 minutes of substernal chest pressure radiating to the left arm. He is diaphoretic and nauseated.

Vital signs:

• HR: 104/min
• BP: 158/92 mm Hg
• RR: 20/min
• SaO₂: 96% on room air

ECG demonstrates ST-segment elevations in leads II, III, and aVF. The patient has no active bleeding and took aspirin before arrival.

Which intervention should you perform next?

A. Administer IV metoprolol immediately
B. Arrange urgent coronary reperfusion
C. Order an outpatient stress test
D. Administer a fibrinolytic without assessing for contraindications
E. Treat with a proton pump inhibitor and observe

Correct answer: B. Arrange urgent coronary reperfusion.

This patient has an acute inferior STEMI. Urgent coronary reperfusion, preferably primary PCI when available within the appropriate time window, is the priority. Aspirin, anticoagulation, and additional STEMI-directed therapy should be provided according to the treatment setting and protocol.

IV beta-blockade is not the next universal intervention and may worsen hemodynamic instability. Outpatient stress testing is inappropriate in an active STEMI. Fibrinolysis requires assessment of eligibility and contraindications and is not automatically preferred when timely PCI is available. Gastroesophageal treatment does not address the ECG-confirmed acute coronary occlusion.

Practice questions like this are useful for both exam preparation and clinical review because they test recognition, prioritization, and immediate management.

How the Paid CME Gift Card Add-On Works

The course can be purchased without a gift card or with a paid Amazon or Apple gift card add-on ranging from $100 to $1,500. These are add-ons to the course purchase, not free gifts.

The educational value remains the primary component:

• You receive access to PANRE review content.
• You can complete up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits through the PANRE Clinical Review Module.
• You receive access for 30 months.
• You can select a paid gift card amount that fits your available CME budget and employer policy.

Gift card options are available in multiple amounts, including $100 through $1,500 selections. Review your employer’s CME reimbursement policy before purchasing an add-on, since individual policies differ.

Bottom Line for PAs

AAPA Category 1 CME is formally designated educational credit. Category 2 may still be valuable, but it does not automatically satisfy a Category 1 minimum. For NCCPA certification maintenance, tracking both your total CME and your Category 1 total is essential.

The PANRE Review Course offers a direct way to combine recertification preparation with up to 100 AAPA Category 1 CME credits in one purchase. The package is $399.99, includes 30 months of access, and provides 1,200+ questions across five 240-question exams. Optional paid Amazon and Apple gift card add-ons from $100 to $1,500 are available at checkout.

Before claiming credit, verify your current NCCPA requirements, complete the activity requirements, and confirm that the credit type applies to your professional license or certification.

Review the PANRE Review Course with paid gift card options.

Course Details at a Glance

• Price: $499.99 for the full PANRE Review Course
• Access: 30 months
• Format: 100% online, self-paced, and mobile friendly
• CME: Up to 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME through the PANRE Clinical Review Module
• Practice content: Five full-length 240-question practice exams, 15 body-system question modules, and more than 2,500 total practice questions across the program
• Guarantee: Money-back guarantee for full-course purchasers who do not pass the PANRE on the first attempt; see the terms and conditions

The course is designed for PAs preparing for either the traditional PANRE or PANRE-LA. However, the exam formats differ, so your preparation plan should begin before you open a question bank.

These are five planning and purchasing mistakes that can increase your cost, reduce your study efficiency, or prevent you from claiming available CME.

1. Choosing a Study Resource Before Deciding Between Traditional PANRE and PANRE-LA

The traditional PANRE and PANRE-LA assess core medical knowledge, but the testing experience is different. The traditional PANRE is a scheduled, proctored examination. PANRE-LA is a longitudinal assessment completed over multiple quarters and permits the use of references under NCCPA rules.

Choosing a course before deciding which pathway fits your timeline can lead to inefficient preparation. A traditional PANRE plan should include timed, closed-book blocks and full-length simulations. A PANRE-LA plan should emphasize steady review, rapid reference use, and consistent quarterly participation.

Start with your certification timeline, preferred testing format, and ability to maintain a recurring study schedule. Review the current NCCPA PANRE-LA information before making a final decision.

The PANRE Review Course with Gift Card covers the clinical content relevant to both pathways. You can then adjust how you use the questions:

• For traditional PANRE preparation, complete mixed blocks under timed, closed-book conditions.
• For PANRE-LA preparation, use shorter blocks, review rationales, and practice locating information efficiently.

The course also includes a money-back guarantee for full-course purchasers who do not pass on the first attempt, subject to the posted terms and conditions.

2. Buying a Course Without AAPA Category 1 Credit, or Assuming Pharmacology Includes the 100 Hours

Not every PANRE review resource provides AAPA Category 1 CME. Confirm the accreditation and the specific activity that awards credit before purchasing.

The PANRE Clinical Review Module provides up to 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME. Those 100 hours apply to the PANRE Review Course only. They do not apply to the separate Pharmacology course.

To earn the credit, you must:

1. Review all content in the module.
2. Pass the post-test with a score of 70% or higher.
3. Complete the activity evaluation.

Missed post-test questions may be retaken. A certificate is issued after the required elements are completed, and you should claim only the amount of credit commensurate with your participation.

The approval is valid from August 26, 2026, through August 26, 2027. The AAPA reference number is CME-2016187.

The accreditation statement is written at the program level and designates 468.75 AAPA Category 1 credits across the 14-module program. That program-level number should not be confused with the 100 hours assigned to the individual PANRE Clinical Review Module.

PAs may log AAPA Category 1 CME toward NCCPA requirements as permitted by NCCPA policy. Physicians earn Category 2, not Category 1, for this activity. Nurse practitioner acceptance of AAPA Category 1 credit varies by state, so NPs should verify requirements with their state board of nursing before purchase.

3. Paying Out of Pocket When an Employer CME Allowance Could Cover the Purchase

Before using personal funds, check your employer’s CME policy, annual allowance, and eligible expense rules. A $499.99 course may be a qualifying professional education expense, but each employer determines what it will reimburse.

The course also offers optional cme gift cards at checkout:

• Amazon or Apple gift cards
• Amounts from $100 to $1,500
• Tiered in $100 increments
• Emailed within two to three business days of purchase

These are paid add-ons included in the total purchase price. They are not free gifts, rebates, or discounts, and they do not provide additional CME credits. Gift cards are non-refundable, and CME Review Courses is not affiliated with Amazon or Apple.

If your employer permits this type of CME purchase, select an add-on that fits your available allowance. If the policy excludes gift cards or similar items, purchase the course without an add-on.

4. Planning Around Your Specialty Instead of the NCCPA PANRE Content Blueprint

Your clinical specialty is not the same as the PANRE content distribution. Emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, orthopedics, and other specialty experience can create blind spots when you routinely study only familiar problems.

The NCCPA PANRE/PANRE-LA Content Blueprint organizes the assessment by organ system and performance expectation. The current allocations include cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, musculoskeletal, EENT, infectious disease, psychiatry, neurology, reproductive, dermatologic, genitourinary, renal, and hematologic content, along with emergent legal, ethical, and DEI topics.

The PANRE Review Course follows this structure with:

• Five full-length practice exams of 240 questions each
• Five answer options per question
• Per-question rationales with cited sources
• 15 body-system question modules
• More than 2,500 total practice questions across the full program
• A PANRE Study Library
• High-yield video lectures and downloadable slides

Use your first mixed exam as a diagnostic. Then allocate study time according to both the NCCPA PANRE Content Blueprint and your performance data. Do not allow a strong score in your specialty to substitute for broad generalist review.

5. Failing to Calendar the Post-Test and Evaluation

Completing the educational content is not the same as claiming CME. The post-test and evaluation are required steps. If you leave them for “later,” they may be delayed or forgotten, and your 100 hours may never be documented.

When you begin the course, schedule:

• A target date to complete all module content
• A post-test date
• Time to retake missed questions if needed
• The activity evaluation
• Time to download or record your certificate according to your CME process

The course provides 30 months of access, so you can plan CME completion around your PANRE or PANRE-LA timeline rather than cram everything into the final weeks.

PANRE-Style Practice Questions

Question 1: Acute Coronary Syndrome

Your patient is a 64-year-old man with 45 minutes of substernal chest pressure radiating to the left arm. He is diaphoretic and nauseated. HR is 98/min, BP is 148/88 mm Hg, and SaO₂ is 96% on room air. ECG demonstrates 2-mm ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF.

What is the most appropriate next step?

A. Schedule outpatient stress testing
B. Obtain CT angiography of the chest
C. Administer a proton pump inhibitor
D. Activate the cardiac catheterization pathway for emergent reperfusion
E. Observe for serial troponins before treatment

Correct answer: D. Activate the cardiac catheterization pathway for emergent reperfusion. Inferior STEMI requires immediate reperfusion planning; do not delay for CT, stress testing, or serial biomarkers. A proton pump inhibitor does not address the acute occlusion. Rapid activation reduces myocardial injury and avoids the cost and risk of unnecessary diagnostic delay.

Question 2: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Your patient is a 29-year-old woman with lower abdominal pain, fever, and mucopurulent cervical discharge. HR is 104/min, BP is 112/70 mm Hg, temperature is 38.2°C, and SaO₂ is 99% on room air. Examination shows cervical motion tenderness without a palpable adnexal mass.

What is the most appropriate outpatient treatment?

A. Oral azithromycin alone
B. Immediate diagnostic laparoscopy
C. Ceftriaxone plus doxycycline and metronidazole
D. Fluconazole and topical therapy
E. Reassurance and follow-up without antibiotics

Correct answer: C. Ceftriaxone plus doxycycline and metronidazole. This presentation meets the clinical threshold for empiric PID treatment. Azithromycin alone is inadequate, antifungal therapy does not treat PID, and delaying treatment increases the risk of infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Assess pregnancy status, provide partner management, and arrange close follow-up.

Question 3: Suspected Pulmonary Embolism

Your patient is a 45-year-old woman with sudden pleuritic chest pain and mild dyspnea after a long flight. HR is 106/min, BP is 126/78 mm Hg, and SaO₂ is 98% on room air. She has no hemoptysis, unilateral leg swelling, or prior VTE. Her Wells score indicates low-to-intermediate pretest probability, and D-dimer is elevated.

What is the next diagnostic step?

A. Begin anticoagulation without imaging
B. Order a noncontrast chest CT
C. Obtain CT pulmonary angiography
D. Perform immediate thrombolysis
E. Order outpatient pulmonary function testing

Correct answer: C. Obtain CT pulmonary angiography. An elevated D-dimer in a patient with sufficient pretest probability requires imaging confirmation. Noncontrast CT and pulmonary function testing are not diagnostic for PE. Anticoagulation or thrombolysis without confirmation is inappropriate in this stable patient. Consider renal function, contrast allergy, and radiation exposure when selecting imaging.

For PA Students: PAtopia

If you are still in PA school, PAtopia provides preparation for the PANCE, PACKRAT, End of Curriculum exam, and all seven EOR exams. It is available through the web version, the iOS app, and the Android app.

PAtopia is designed for PA students and does not carry the 100 AAPA Category 1 CME hours assigned to the PANRE Review Course.

Start Your PANRE Review Plan

The costliest PANRE mistakes often occur before studying begins: selecting the wrong assessment strategy, overlooking CME accreditation, missing an employer allowance, ignoring the NCCPA PANRE Content Blueprint, or failing to schedule course completion requirements.

Review the PANRE Review Course with Gift Card, confirm your employer’s policy, and build a calendar that includes both exam preparation and CME completion.

About the Author

Jeremy Boroff, MPAS, PA-C, is an emergency medicine PA with 24 years of Emergency Medicine experience. He is a PA educator, author, and CME developer who creates PANRE, PANCE, EOR, and specialty review content for practicing clinicians and PA students.

Educational content only. Confirm current PANRE, PANRE-LA, NCCPA, CME, and state licensing requirements with the appropriate organizations.

Course price: $399.99 for the PANRE Review Course
Access duration: 30 months
CME: Up to 100 Category 1 AAPA credits through the PANRE Clinical Review Module
Practice content: 1,200+ questions across five 240-question exams
Gift card options: Paid Amazon or Apple add-ons from $100 to $1,500

If your employer provides an annual CME allowance, the goal is to use it on education that supports your certification requirements and your clinical practice. The PANRE Review Course combines exam preparation with up to 100 Category 1 AAPA credits in one purchase. You can also add a paid Amazon or Apple gift card in amounts from $100 to $1,500.

The gift cards are paid add-ons, not free gifts. The amount you select is added to the course purchase price. The gift card does not increase the number of CME credits. The 100 Category 1 AAPA credits come from the PANRE Clinical Review Module.

Explore the PANRE Review Course with gift card options

The Basic CME Budget Calculation

Start with the course price, then add the gift card amount that matches your available CME budget.

Each example includes the same PANRE preparation and access: 30 months, five 240-question practice exams, and the PANRE Clinical Review Module with up to 100 Category 1 AAPA credits.

The add-on amount is separate from the educational value of the course. Select the card based on your employer’s CME policy and the amount of CME funding you have available. Do not assume that an employer permits gift card add-ons simply because the purchase includes accredited education. Confirm the policy before placing the order.

Why 100 Category 1 AAPA Credits Matter

Many PAs need a substantial amount of CME during a certification or licensure cycle. Purchasing separate activities can require multiple enrollments, deadlines, platforms, and completion records. A PANRE-focused course can consolidate two priorities:

1. Preparation for PANRE or PANRE-LA content
2. Completion of up to 100 Category 1 AAPA credits

The course includes more than 1,200 board-style questions across five full-length exams. Each exam contains 240 questions with answer explanations designed to support review after you commit to an answer.

The PANRE Clinical Review Module is the component that provides the 100 Category 1 AAPA credits. These credits apply to the PANRE Review Course, not the Pharmacology Course. The separate Pharmacology CME Review Package provides its own pharmacology-specific credit amount and should not be represented as a 100-credit activity.

Daily CME Tip 1: Start With Your Employer’s Reimbursement Rules

Many PA employers reimburse CME expenses through an annual allowance. Some provide a fixed dollar amount, while others require expenses to be related to a specific conference, course, certification, or clinical activity.

Before using your allowance, check:

• Whether online enduring CME is eligible
• Whether AAPA Category 1 credit is accepted
• Whether PANRE preparation qualifies
• Whether paid gift card add-ons are permitted
• Whether there is a maximum per purchase
• Whether the purchase must occur before a specific deadline
• Whether unused funds expire at the end of the calendar or fiscal year

The gift card add-on is not free. It is a paid amount added to the package price. The practical value is that an eligible CME allowance can fund both the review course and a professional resource selected through Amazon or Apple. Your employer must determine whether the full package qualifies under its reimbursement rules.

Daily CME Tip 2: Choose the Add-On Based on the Remaining Balance

If you have $500 available, the $100 add-on produces a total purchase of $499.99. If you have approximately $900 available, the $500 add-on produces a total of $899.99. If you have a larger allowance, the $1,000 or $1,500 option may use more of the available budget.

The calculation is straightforward:

Course price + paid gift card amount = total purchase

For example:

• $399.99 course + $100 Amazon card = $499.99
• $399.99 course + $500 Apple card = $899.99
• $399.99 course + $1,500 Amazon card = $1,899.99

This approach lets you plan the purchase instead of selecting an add-on without checking the total. The course remains the primary purchase because it provides the PANRE review materials and the 100 Category 1 AAPA credits. The card is an optional paid addition.

Daily CME Tip 3: Select Amazon or Apple Based on Your Educational Needs

An Amazon gift card may be useful if you need medical references, exam-preparation books, office equipment, or other professional supplies. For example, you may use it toward supplemental references in emergency medicine, cardiology, internal medicine, dermatology, orthopedics, or another clinical area.

An Apple gift card may be useful if you prefer to study on an iPad, replace an older device, or purchase technology that supports mobile access to online CME and clinical references.

Neither card changes the accreditation status or credit total of the course. The choice is based on how you plan to use the paid add-on after the purchase.

Daily CME Tip 4: Use the 30-Month Access Period Strategically

The PANRE Review Course provides 30 months of access. That time period gives you flexibility to divide preparation into phases:

• Initial review: Assess baseline performance across the five exams.
• Focused study: Identify weaker organ systems and revisit explanations.
• Reassessment: Retake questions and compare performance over time.
• Final preparation: Complete additional timed practice before the examination.

The access period also helps you use one purchase across more than one CME year, depending on your employer’s reimbursement policy and your certification schedule. Complete the educational requirements and evaluation steps necessary to claim the precise amount of CME for which you are eligible.

How This Applies to NPs and Physicians

The course is designed primarily for physician assistants preparing for PANRE or PANRE-LA and seeking AAPA Category 1 CME. Other clinicians may find the clinical review useful, but credit classification depends on the rules of the applicable certifying organization, licensing board, and employer.

Nurse practitioners: Acceptance of AAPA Category 1 credit varies by state, certification organization, and employer. Some NPs may be able to claim the activity as Category 1 credit, while others may use the content as Category 2 CME. Verify the requirements with your state board of nursing and certifying body before purchase.

Physicians: Physicians may find the clinical material valuable for practice and exam preparation, but AAPA-accredited activities generally count as Category 2 CME for physicians rather than Category 1. Confirm eligibility with your medical licensing authority and employer.

Clinical Practice Question

Question: Acute Coronary Syndrome

Your patient is a 64-year-old man who presents to the emergency department with 2 hours of crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left jaw. He is diaphoretic and nauseated.

Vital signs: BP 105/62 mmHg, HR 110 bpm, RR 22/min, SaO2 94% on room air.

The ECG demonstrates 3-mm ST-segment elevations in leads II, III, and aVF.

What is the most appropriate next step?

A. Obtain a portable chest radiograph before initiating treatment
B. Administer aspirin and activate the STEMI pathway for emergent reperfusion
C. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin and wait for the troponin result
D. Repeat the ECG in 30 minutes before contacting cardiology

Correct answer: B. Administer aspirin and activate the STEMI pathway for emergent reperfusion.

Explanation: This patient has an acute inferior STEMI. Administer aspirin immediately and arrange emergent reperfusion, typically PCI when available within the appropriate time window. Waiting for troponin results or a repeat ECG delays treatment and increases myocardial injury. Nitroglycerin requires caution in an inferior MI because right ventricular involvement can produce preload dependence and hypotension. A portable chest radiograph is not required before activating definitive STEMI management unless another immediately life-threatening diagnosis is strongly suspected.

PANRE Review and CME Budget Value in One Purchase

For a PA with an employer-funded CME allowance, the value calculation is direct:

• $399.99 provides the PANRE Review Course.
• 30 months provides extended access.
• 1,200+ questions provide structured practice.
• Five 240-question exams provide full-length assessment.
• Up to 100 Category 1 AAPA credits come from the PANRE Clinical Review Module.
• A paid $100–$1,500 Amazon or Apple add-on lets you apply additional CME funds toward a selected professional or educational resource, subject to employer approval.

If you are comparing PANRE preparation options, PANCE prep courses, or general CME packages, separate the educational product from the add-on. The course earns the CME. The gift card is an optional paid addition that may help you use more of an eligible CME allowance.

View the PANRE Review Course

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