John Leffert, MPAS, PA-C

Congratulations! You are on the brink of completing an ARC accredited PA program. Your next step is to pass the NCCPA board exam, are you ready?

Your best resource NCCPA-how to become a certified PA Board Review books and practice tests

Board Review Books A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants Published in Collaboration with the AAPA and APAP Appleton and Lange Physician Assistant Review

Practice Exams NCCPA practice exam Only $ questions Breakdown of weaknesses/strengths to help you study for PANCE Board Review Practice Exams Most have CDs included so you can take then computer based like the PANCE Some give you answers and explanations Board Review Courses Can get pricey Watch for quality Some have guarantees (money back if you don’t pass—they will not reimburse you your PANCE fees)

Exam Scheduling When registering for PANCE, consider the following requirements: NCCPA does not accept applications until 90 days prior to your expected program completion date (as provided by your program director). The earliest date you'll be able to test is seven days after your program completion (provided your program director has confirmed your program completion date.) This date will be reflected in your exam application acknowledgement . You have 180 days from the beginning of your exam timeframe to take the exam. These dates will be reflected in your exam application acknowledgement e- mail. You may only take PANCE once in any 90-day period or three times in a calendar year. There will be no testing between Dec If there's any chance that you won't complete your PA program requirements on time, wait until you are confident of your program completion date before registering for the exam to avoid rescheduling fees.

THE EXAM The PANCE is a computer based exam totaling 300 questions The exam is broken down into 60 question/60 minute “blocks” of questions with scheduled breaks of 45 minutes each between blocks DO NOT take an unscheduled break, the clock will continue to run on your exam! You have a total of 6 hours to complete the exam You may not revisit a block if you did not complete it You must pass PANCE in 6 attempts or within 6 years of graduation You must wait 90 days to retake the exam if you fail

TEST DAY Follow instructions to the letter! Bring your ID Do a “dry run” the day before, particularly if you are testing in an unfamiliar setting/city. Double/triple check the timing to get there, and give yourself plenty of time, you don’t need to waste $475!! If you are late they do not have to let you in! Use scheduled breaks to get a drink, go to the bathroom, etc, although you are allowed to go to your locker, DO NOT use your cell phone to talk about the exam AT ALL!!

After the test DO NOT discuss the test with ANYONE!! Score report will usually be available in 2 weeks When you pass, you can send the report to your state to get your license When you get licensed, ask your supervising doctor about whether or not you should obtain a DEA certificate, he/she may not want you to have one YOU may not want to have one! If your supervising doc has in your agreement that you will not be writing scheduled drugs, don’t bother with a DEA Check out your state’s PA group (i.e. PSPA) for samples of supervising agreements to help you along the way.

SPECIALTY EXAMS! Specialty exams for emergency med, nephrology, psychiatry, cardiovascular surgery and ortho For PAs meeting those basic prerequisites, the specialty certification process will include four core requirements: Category I specialty CME, procedures and patient case logging appropriate for the specialty, one to two years of experience (or an acceptable formalized clinical training substitution) and a specialty exam. The first three requirements listed above may be completed in any order. Once complete, the specialty certification candidate is eligible for the exam.

Contracts Beware of what you sign!! #1 worry…restrictive covenants: They will forbid you to practice within a certain area after you leave their employment for a particular amount of time Watch big companies: CHS, Geisinger #2 Duties and Pay Make sure your job duties are clearly outlined, INCLUDING CALL Watch the pay rate, *don’t forget pay for call*, and be careful about incentivized pay scales, does that practice/hospital have the ability for you to achieve the incentive #3 The “Add-ons” Malpractice Association fees Continuing Medical Education Vacation/Benefits, etc Make sure you have an “out”, no matter what If you have questions, make them clarify, and have someone else look at it— another PA, lawyer friend, etc If you request changes they can make them, don’t be afraid to ask

So now you are making money… You worked hard, don’t give it all away! Tax time, do not forget to deduct… (IF your company is not providing) Your tuition for this year Certification and Recertification fees for Boards Licensing fees- state and DEA Association fees CME fees Phone expenses if you are on call (if you are an independent contractor) Driving expenses if you have to drive for your job (same) Interest on student loans

It’s OVER! Be HAPPY! Enjoy Life