Interactive Content Blueprint for the PANCE

Interactive Content Blueprint for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE)

Here is a "clickable," interactive version of the NEW 2025 NCCPA™ PANCE Blueprint VERBATIM (with some minor modifications for clarity in the MSS section). The new PANCE Blueprint became effective in January 2025. All PANCE topics are linked to Smarty PANCE Blueprint Lessons and Blueprint Exams.

These interactive blueprints are available for download and online viewing in multiple formats 👉 Click Here. I have included links to several study resources along with the official NCCPA publications below.

Smarty PANCE is not sponsored or endorsed by, or affiliated with, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Smart Blueprints PANCE Search and Sort 2025 PANCE Trello Board 8-Week PANCE Study Plan (Trello) PANRE Blueprint NCCPA 2025 Blueprint (official PDF)

The five-hour PANCE exam includes 300 multiple-choice questions administered in five blocks of 60 questions with 60 minutes to complete each block. There is a total of 45 minutes allotted for breaks between blocks, and you will be responsible for managing your break time. You have 15 minutes to complete a PANCE tutorial.
The PANCE Blueprint includes 14 organ systems, encompassing 110 sections, 25 subsections within each organ system, and approximately 681 diseases and disorders.
Medical Content Categories	Percentage
Cardiovascular System	11%
Dermatologic System	4%
Endocrine System	6%
Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat	6%
Gastrointestinal System/Nutrition	8%
Genitourinary System	4%
Hematologic System	5%
Infectious Diseases	7%
Musculoskeletal System	8%
Neurologic System	7%
Psychiatry/Behavioral Science	7%
Pulmonary System	9%
Renal System	5%
Reproductive System	7%
Task Categories
History Taking and Performing Physical Examination	16%
Using Diagnostic and Laboratory Studies	10%
Formulating the Most Likely Diagnosis	18%
Managing Patients
- Health Maintenance, Patient Education, and Preventive Measures	11%
- Clinical Intervention	16%
- Pharmaceutical Therapeutics	6%
Applying Foundational Scientific Concepts	8%
Professional Practice	6%

Medical Content Categories (2025 Blueprint)

The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) blueprint underwent minor revisions effective January 2025. We are actively updating Smarty PANCE to align with these changes. Topics without links are currently being updated or added.

Medical Content Categories	Percentage (2019-2024)	Percentage (2025)
Cardiovascular System	13%	11%
Dermatologic System	5%	4%
Endocrine System	7%	6%
Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat	7%	6%
Gastrointestinal System/Nutrition	9%	8%
Genitourinary System (Male and Female)	5%	4%
Hematologic System	5%	5%
Infectious Diseases	6%	7%
Musculoskeletal System	8%	8%
Neurologic System	7%	7%
Psychiatry/Behavioral Science	6%	7%
Pulmonary System	10%	9%
Renal System	5%	5%
Reproductive System (Male and Female)	7%	7%
Professional Practice	5%	6%

Task Categories	Percentage (2019-2024)	Percent 2025
History Taking and Performing Physical Examination	17%	16%
Using Diagnostic and Laboratory Studies	12%	10%
Formulating Most Likely Diagnosis	18%	18%
Managing Patients
Health Maintenance, Patient Education, and Preventive Measures	10%	11%
Clinical Intervention	14%	16%
Pharmaceutical Therapeutics	14%	15%
Applying Basic Scientific Concepts	10%	8%
Professional Practice	5%	6%

Interactive Content Blueprint for the PANCE

Interactive Content Blueprint for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE)

The PANCE Blueprint includes 14 organ systems, encompassing 110 sections, 25 subsections within each organ system, and approximately 681 diseases and disorders.

Medical Content Categories (2025 Blueprint)

2019-2024 Interactive PANCE Blueprint (Retired)

Explore the retired 2019-2024 Interactive PANCE Blueprint for reference and review of past exam topics.

The 2019-2024 PANCE blueprint contains 14 organ systems » with 121 sections and 23 subsections (within each organ system) » and approximately 616 diseases/disorders.

Medical Content Categories (2019-2024 Blueprint)