Deciding how to maintain your NCCPA certification as a Physician Assistant has changed significantly with the permanent addition of the PANRE-LA. Choosing between the traditional PANRE and the longitudinal assessment (PANRE-LA) isn’t just about how you test: it’s about how you live and work.
Whether you prefer a high-stakes, "one and done" approach or a slow-burn, quarterly commitment, your preparation strategy needs to be efficient. At CME Review Courses, we specialize in high-yield content that respects your time and maximizes your CME budget.
The Logistics: PANRE vs. PANRE-LA
PANRE (Traditional)
- Price: $350 registration fee.
- Format: 240 multiple-choice questions.
- Setting: Proctored at a Pearson VUE testing center.
- Time Limit: 4 hours total (approx. 60 seconds per question).
- Access: High-stakes exam taken once every 10 years.
- Status: Closed book.
PANRE-LA (Longitudinal)
- Price: $350 registration fee (spread over the cycle).
- Format: 25 questions per quarter over 12 quarters (3 years).
- Setting: Remote; take it on your laptop or tablet at home or in the clinic.
- Time Limit: 5 minutes per question.
- Access: Ongoing assessment; only 8 of 12 quarters are required for a passing score.
- Status: Open book.
Which One Fits Your Lifestyle?
The PANRE-LA is designed for the PA-C who wants to integrate learning into their daily routine. Since it is open book, it reduces the "test day anxiety" that many clinicians feel. You have five minutes per question, allowing you to consult resources like UpToDate or your CME Review Courses materials. It also offers 2 Category 1 Self-Assessment CME credits per quarter.
The traditional PANRE is for the PA who wants to get the requirement over with. If you are a strong test-taker and prefer to dedicate one weekend to intensive review rather than three years of quarterly deadlines, the traditional exam is your best bet.
Regardless of the format, you still need to master the NCCPA Blueprint.
Maximize Your CME Dollars with Gift Card Add-Ons
We know that PAs often have a "use it or lose it" CME allowance. We offer an efficient way to utilize those funds. Our PANRE Review Course provides 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 Credit. This course covers the entire NCCPA Blueprint, including Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, GI, and more, written by PAs, for PAs.
To further enrich your education, we offer CME with Amazon or Apple Gift Card add-ons. You can add a $100 to $1,500 Gift Card to your purchase. This allows you to get the high-yield review you need while also securing funds for medical equipment, textbooks, or technology to support your practice.
Our PANRE/PANRE-LA Review Series is designed for "forced commitment" retrieval practice.
The Power of Forced Commitment
Passive reading is the least effective way to study. Our practice exams use a "forced commitment" model. In our PANRE Review Exam series, the correct answer is revealed only after the choices, forcing you to commit to an answer before checking your work. This mimics the real exam environment and strengthens clinical recall.
Clinical Assessment: Practice Questions
Testing your knowledge is the only way to identify gaps. Below are two clinical scenarios typical of what you will encounter on either the PANRE or PANRE-LA.
Scenario 1
Patient Demographics: 58-year-old male.
Chief Complaint: Progressive shortness of breath and a chronic productive cough for the last 6 months.
History: 40-pack-year smoking history.
Vital Signs: HR: 92, BP: 138/88, RR: 20, SaO2: 91% on room air.
Physical Exam: Increased AP diameter of the chest, distant heart sounds, and expiratory wheezing bilaterally.
Question: Which of the following is the most appropriate initial diagnostic study to confirm the suspected diagnosis?
A) Chest X-ray
B) High-resolution CT scan
C) Spirometry
D) Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
E) Peak expiratory flow rate
Explanation:
The correct answer is C) Spirometry.
Spirometry is the gold standard for diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). A post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 0.70 confirms persistent airflow limitation. A) Chest X-ray may show hyperinflation or a flattened diaphragm but is not diagnostic. B) CT scans are useful for evaluating complications like bronchiectasis or lung cancer but are not first-line for diagnosis. D) ABG is reserved for patients with severe symptoms or suspected respiratory failure. E) Peak flow is more useful for monitoring asthma than diagnosing COPD.
Scenario 2
Patient Demographics: 32-year-old female.
Chief Complaint: Sudden onset of sharp, pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea.
History: Recently returned from a 12-hour flight. Takes oral contraceptive pills.
Vital Signs: HR: 118, BP: 110/70, RR: 26, SaO2: 93% on room air.
Physical Exam: Tachycardia, lungs clear to auscultation, no lower extremity edema noted.
Question: What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A) D-dimer assay
B) Ventilation-Perfusion (V/Q) scan
C) CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA)
D) Venous Duplex Ultrasound
E) Start IV Heparin immediately
Explanation:
The correct answer is C) CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA).
This patient has a high clinical suspicion for Pulmonary Embolism (PE) based on her recent immobilization (long flight), OCP use, tachycardia, and pleuritic pain (Wells Criteria score > 4). In patients with high clinical probability, C) CTPA is the preferred initial imaging study. A) D-dimer is only useful in patients with low to moderate clinical probability to "rule out" PE; it should not be used when suspicion is high. B) V/Q scan is an alternative if CTPA is contraindicated (e.g., renal failure). D) Ultrasound may confirm a DVT but does not diagnose the PE. E) Heparin is indicated, but definitive diagnosis is prioritized in a stable patient.
Comprehensive Content Coverage
Whether you are treating a patient with a PE in the ER or managing chronic COPD in Family Medicine, our courses cover the high-yield topics you need. Our content includes:
- Cardiovascular
- Pulmonary
- Internal Medicine Hospitalist
- Orthopedics
- Dermatology
- OB/GYN
While our courses are written by physician assistants for physician assistants, many Nurse Practitioners find value in our Pharmacology Course, which also offers AAPA Category 1 Credit. Physicians can also find value in our packages, though the credit typically counts as Category 2 for MD/DOs.
Final Thoughts on Your Choice
If you value flexibility and the ability to use clinical resources, the PANRE-LA is a revolutionary shift in how we maintain certification. However, it requires you to stay on top of quarterly deadlines for three years. If you prefer to study hard, take one exam, and move on with your life, the PANRE remains a solid choice.
Whatever you choose, CME Review Courses is here to ensure you pass. Our PANRE Review Course gives you 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 credit and the specific, blueprint-aligned practice questions you need to walk into your exam: or log into your quarterly assessment: with total confidence.
Don't just read the blueprint; master it with our Exam 2 and Exam 3 practice series.