PANCE pass rates and results: national first-time rates by year
Last checked October 19, 2026 · Sources: NCCPA’s Exam Performance Summary and Five Year First Time Taker reports, as published by PA programs such as Drexel University; NCCPA Become Certified page for results and retake rules.
PANCE pass rates are high: 91% of first-time takers passed in 2025, according to NCCPA’s reports (cited as 91.5% on 13,145 first-time takers in its detailed table), with a five-year average of 92%. That’s down slightly from 95% in 2020. Results arrive in your NCCPA Portal about two weeks after the exam, and a scaled 350 on a 200-800 scale passes.
National first-time results by year
| Calendar year | First-time pass rate |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 95% |
| 2021 | 93% |
| 2022 | 92% |
| 2023 | 92% |
| 2024 | 92% |
| 2025 | 91% |
National first-time pass rates from NCCPA’s Exam Performance Summary Report, as published by PA programs.
Rates have drifted down by a few points since 2020. NCCPA introduced a new blueprint and passing standard on January 1, 2025, so 2025 is the first year under the new standard. See our 2025 PANCE blueprint page.
Program pass rates
PA programs publish their own first-time rates from NCCPA’s Five Year First Time Taker report, alongside the national figures. If you’re comparing programs or checking yours, look for that report on the program’s website; Drexel University’s is one example.
How PANCE results work
- Timing: NCCPA says results are posted to your NCCPA Portal about two weeks after your exam, and it emails you when they’re ready.
- Score: scaled from 200 to 800; 350 passes. The number of correct answers needed can vary slightly between exam versions, according to a prep provider’s summary.
- If you pass: you’re certified and can use PA-C, then keep certification through 100 CME every two years and the PANRE or PANRE-LA by year 10.
- If you don’t: you can retake once every 90 days, up to three times a year and six times within six years of finishing your program.
Common questions about PANCE pass rates
What is the PANCE pass rate?
91% of first-time takers passed in 2025, according to NCCPA’s reports; the five-year average is 92%.
When do PANCE results come out?
About two weeks after your exam, in your NCCPA Portal.
What score do you need to pass the PANCE?
A scaled score of 350 on a 200 to 800 scale.
Is the PANCE pass rate falling?
Slightly: from 95% in 2020 to 91% in 2025. A new blueprint and passing standard took effect in January 2025.
MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with NCCPA.