To sit for the PANCE, a graduate must come from a physician assistant program accredited by which body?

• A. CAAHEP
• B. JRCERT
• C. ARC-PA
• D. ACPE

Answer: (C)

To sit for the PANCE you must graduate from a physician assistant program accredited by ARC-PA, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. ARC-PA is the specialized accrediting body for PA education programs in the United States, and it sets the standards for curriculum, faculty, clinical training, assessment, and program outcomes. The PANCE, administered by NCCPA, requires that you come from an ARC-PA–accredited program before you’re eligible to apply. Other accrediting bodies exist for different fields—JRCERT for radiography, ACPE for pharmacy, and CAAHEP for various allied health programs—but PA programs specifically fall under ARC-PA.