Today’s logistics:
- Price: $399.99 for the PANRE Review Course
- Access: 30 months
- CME: Up to 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME
- Practice questions: More than 2,500 PANRE-style questions
- Mock exams: Three 240-question exams
- Gift card add-ons: Amazon or Apple options from $100 to $1,500
- Important: Gift cards are paid add-ons, not free gifts. The selected denomination is added to the purchase price.
For physician assistants planning recertification, the most efficient CME purchase should support both exam preparation and certification maintenance. A comprehensive PANRE review course can help you study across the NCCPA content areas while earning a substantial amount of AAPA Category 1 CME.
The PANRE Review Course with Gift Card is designed for practicing PAs preparing for the traditional PANRE or PANRE-LA. It includes 30 months of access, more than 2,500 practice questions, system-based question modules, three full-length mock exams, answer explanations, and performance tracking.
PANRE-LA Versus Traditional PANRE
The traditional PANRE and PANRE-LA meet the NCCPA recertification exam requirement, but they require different preparation strategies.
According to the NCCPA certification maintenance information, traditional PANRE is a proctored exam completed in one setting at a Pearson VUE testing center. It is available during the ninth or tenth year of the certification cycle. The examination contains four 60-question blocks, with 60 minutes for each block.
PANRE-LA is a longitudinal assessment completed over multiple quarters. You apply during the sixth year of your certification cycle and participate during years seven through nine. Each quarter includes 25 questions, with five minutes available for each question. You may use printed or online references, but you may not consult with other people.
The key practical differences are:
| Feature | Traditional PANRE | PANRE-LA |
|---|---|---|
| Testing format | One proctored exam session | Longitudinal quarterly assessment |
| Timing | Years 9–10 | Years 7–9 |
| Questions | Four 60-question blocks | 25 questions per quarter |
| References | Closed-book testing environment | Online or printed references permitted |
| Feedback | Results after the exam | Immediate feedback and performance information |
| CME from assessment | The exam itself does not generate CME | Two Category 1 Self-Assessment credits per completed quarter |
PANRE-LA participants must still meet regular CME requirements. Completing PANRE-LA does not replace the need to earn and log CME during the two-year cycle.
PANRE-LA can provide up to 24 AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME credits if all 12 quarters are completed. NCCPA applies a 50% weighting to eligible self-assessment CME for certification maintenance purposes. This weighting applies to NCCPA certification maintenance; state licensing boards may count only the credit amount printed on the certificate.
Daily CME Tip: Use Your Budget for Both Preparation and Credit
NCCPA requires PAs to earn 100 CME credits every two years, including at least 50 Category 1 credits. That makes a 100-credit PANRE review course a practical option for PAs who need a large amount of qualifying CME while preparing for recertification.
The CME Review Courses PANRE program is designated for 100 AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME credits. Complete the activity requirements and evaluation before claiming credit. PAs should claim only the amount commensurate with their participation.
The course provides:
- More than 2,500 board-style questions
- Fifteen system-based question modules
- Three 240-question mock exams
- Detailed answer explanations and references
- A performance dashboard for tracking strengths and weaknesses
- 30 months of online access
- 100 AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME credits
For NCCPA certification maintenance only, 100 eligible self-assessment credits may receive the additional 50% weighting within the NCCPA system. This does not mean the course certificate changes from 100 credits to 150 credits, and it does not guarantee that a state board will apply the same weighting.
How CME Gift Cards Affect the Purchase Price
Amazon and Apple gift cards can be added to the course purchase in denominations from $100 to $1,500. They are not free gifts, rebates, or discounts. The selected gift card amount is added to the course price.
For example:
- Course only: $399.99
- Course plus $100 Amazon gift card: $499.99
- Course plus $500 Amazon gift card: $899.99
- Course plus $1,500 Apple gift card: $1,899.99
The practical value is that you may be able to use an employer CME allowance for a purchase that includes both professional education and a paid gift card add-on. However, employer policies vary. Confirm that your organization allows this type of package before purchasing.
Amazon and Apple gift cards are processed by email, generally within two to three business days. Gift card packages are nonrefundable after the card is emailed. CME Review Courses is not affiliated with or sponsored by Amazon or Apple.
Common PANRE Review Mistakes
1. Studying only within your specialty
Your clinical practice may be limited to emergency medicine, orthopedics, psychiatry, or another specialty. The PANRE assesses core medical knowledge across multiple systems and clinical domains.
A common mistake is spending nearly all study time on familiar material. Instead, use practice-question performance to identify weaker areas such as hematology, renal medicine, infectious disease, endocrine disorders, or reproductive health.
2. Confusing PANRE-LA with a traditional exam
PANRE-LA is not a single test date. It is a longitudinal assessment with quarterly participation requirements. Waiting until the final quarter to take preparation seriously removes the benefit of repeated feedback and repeated topic exposure.
Use a recurring study schedule. Review missed questions immediately, document knowledge gaps, and return to difficult systems before the next quarterly assessment.
3. Passive review without question practice
Reading notes can create familiarity without demonstrating recall. Question practice is necessary because it forces you to select a diagnosis, test, or treatment under time constraints.
After each question, identify whether the error was caused by:
- A knowledge gap
- Misreading the stem
- Failure to recognize a clinical pattern
- Incorrect prioritization
- Changing a correct answer without evidence
4. Treating every incorrect answer the same way
A missed question about acute coronary syndrome requires a different remediation plan than a missed question caused by overlooking a vital sign. Track the reason for the error, not only the percentage score.
A performance dashboard or written log can help you distinguish content weaknesses from test-taking errors.
5. Assuming all CME credit is interchangeable
The traditional PANRE itself does not award CME. PANRE-LA can award Category 1 Self-Assessment CME for completed quarters. A separate PANRE review course may provide AAPA Category 1 CME if the activity has been appropriately designated.
Review the accreditation statement before purchasing. The AAPA CME FAQs explain the difference between Category 1 CME, Category 1 Self-Assessment CME, and Category 2 credit.
Facts About AAPA Category 1 Credit
AAPA Category 1 CME consists of clinical and professional education intended to maintain or improve knowledge, skills, and professional performance.
For NCCPA certification maintenance, the current general requirement is:
- 100 CME credits every two years
- At least 50 Category 1 CME credits
- A recertification exam every 10 years
- Payment of the applicable certification maintenance fee
AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME is an activity that evaluates your knowledge or performance and provides feedback to help identify gaps. The NCCPA 50% weighting applies only when eligible self-assessment credits are logged for NCCPA certification maintenance. State licensing requirements may differ.
The 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment credit described in the PANRE Review Course applies specifically to that PANRE Review Course. It should not be attributed to the separate Pharmacology Review Course. The Pharmacology CME Review offers 12 AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME credits in pharmacology.
Physicians may find the clinical content useful, but this activity meets Category 2 CME requirements for physicians rather than Category 1. Nurse practitioner acceptance of AAPA Category 1 credit varies by state and credentialing organization. NPs should verify requirements with their state board or certifying body before purchase.
PANRE Practice Questions
Question 1
A 68-year-old man presents with 45 minutes of substernal chest pain. ECG demonstrates ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. His HR is 54/min, BP is 86/52 mm Hg, JVP is elevated, and the lungs are clear. Which intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Sublingual nitroglycerin
B. IV furosemide
C. IV normal saline
D. Immediate beta-blocker therapy
Correct answer: C. IV normal saline.
Explanation: Right ventricular infarction should be treated initially with cautious IV volume expansion when hypotension and elevated JVP occur with clear lungs. Nitrates and diuretics reduce preload and may worsen hypotension. Beta-blockers are not appropriate during significant bradycardia and hemodynamic instability.
Question 2
A 29-year-old woman presents with lower abdominal pain, fever, and abnormal vaginal discharge. Temperature is 38.3°C, HR is 104/min, and BP is 112/70 mm Hg. Examination demonstrates cervical motion tenderness and bilateral adnexal tenderness. Pregnancy testing is negative. Which treatment is most appropriate?
A. Oral azithromycin alone
B. Ceftriaxone, doxycycline, and metronidazole
C. Fluconazole and topical corticosteroid
D. Immediate diagnostic laparoscopy in all cases
Correct answer: B. Ceftriaxone, doxycycline, and metronidazole.
Explanation: This presentation is consistent with pelvic inflammatory disease, which requires empiric broad-spectrum treatment. Outpatient therapy includes ceftriaxone plus doxycycline with metronidazole for 14 days. Azithromycin alone does not provide adequate coverage. Laparoscopy is not required for routine initial management.
Question 3
A 72-year-old man presents with cough, fever, and confusion. His temperature is 39.1°C, HR is 112/min, RR is 32/min, BP is 88/54 mm Hg, and BUN is 32 mg/dL. Chest radiograph shows a right lower-lobe infiltrate. What is the most appropriate next step?
A. Outpatient oral antibiotics
B. Discharge after one dose of IV antibiotic
C. Hospital admission with ICU-level evaluation
D. Treatment with cough suppressant only
Correct answer: C. Hospital admission with ICU-level evaluation.
Explanation: Severe community-acquired pneumonia with hypotension, tachypnea, confusion, and elevated BUN requires inpatient management and evaluation for critical care. Outpatient treatment is unsafe. A single antibiotic dose does not address the patient’s hemodynamic risk.
Question 4
A 58-year-old woman develops a painful unilateral vesicular rash in a band-like distribution over the right thorax. Symptoms began 24 hours ago. She has no ocular involvement or immunocompromising condition. Which treatment is appropriate?
A. Oral valacyclovir
B. Topical mupirocin alone
C. Systemic corticosteroid monotherapy
D. No treatment because the rash is self-limited
Correct answer: A. Oral valacyclovir.
Explanation: Acute herpes zoster should be treated with an oral antiviral when started within 72 hours of rash onset. Valacyclovir reduces viral replication and may reduce complications. Topical antibiotics and corticosteroid monotherapy do not treat the underlying infection.
Bottom Line
A well-structured CME purchase should address the actual requirements of your certification cycle while supporting PANRE preparation. A 100-credit PANRE review course provides a way to study across the NCCPA content areas, practice with more than 2,500 questions, complete mock exams, and work toward the Category 1 CME requirement.
Amazon and Apple CME gift cards can be added in denominations from $100 to $1,500, but they are paid add-ons and increase the total purchase price. Confirm your employer’s CME policy, review the applicable accreditation statement, and choose the PANRE or PANRE-LA preparation strategy that fits your certification timeline.
For additional options, review the PANRE and PANCE preparation resources from CME Review Courses.