PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT NATIONAL CERTIFYING
EXAM 2026 REVISION NOTES AND
STRUCTURED BOARD REVIEW OVERVIEW
GUIDE
◉ Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants (WAPA). Answer:
Wisconsin PA group working to better PA rights under WI state laws
◉ Depth and time training. Answer: Main difference between
MD/Do and PA?
◉ Physician Associate. Answer: This was the original term and I feel
it is more appropriate since PAs operate autonomously in practice, I
believe the original name was changed only due to concern from
physicians and could be appropriately changed back considering our
current role in health care.
◉ Advanced practice provider. Answer: Possible new name for PA
◉ Generalist, rural focus. Answer: What do PAs usually do?
◉ Military training/surgery focuse. Answer: Where the position
started
, ◉ full practice authority. Answer: Remove need for co-
signature/removal of barriers
◉ Dr. Eugene Stead. Answer: _________ started the first physician
assistant program at Duke University in 1965.
◉ 10/6/1967. Answer: When the first 3 PAs graduated
◉ 1968. Answer: When AAPA formed
◉ Become certified and obtain state license. Answer: How to
become PA after school
◉ AAPA, PAEA, NCCPA, and ARC-PA. Answer: Four main groups for
PA profession, wrote competencies for PA profession
◉ Med knowledge
Communication
Patient Care
Professionalism
Practice based learning
Systems based practice. Answer: Professional competencies
EXAM 2026 REVISION NOTES AND
STRUCTURED BOARD REVIEW OVERVIEW
GUIDE
◉ Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants (WAPA). Answer:
Wisconsin PA group working to better PA rights under WI state laws
◉ Depth and time training. Answer: Main difference between
MD/Do and PA?
◉ Physician Associate. Answer: This was the original term and I feel
it is more appropriate since PAs operate autonomously in practice, I
believe the original name was changed only due to concern from
physicians and could be appropriately changed back considering our
current role in health care.
◉ Advanced practice provider. Answer: Possible new name for PA
◉ Generalist, rural focus. Answer: What do PAs usually do?
◉ Military training/surgery focuse. Answer: Where the position
started
, ◉ full practice authority. Answer: Remove need for co-
signature/removal of barriers
◉ Dr. Eugene Stead. Answer: _________ started the first physician
assistant program at Duke University in 1965.
◉ 10/6/1967. Answer: When the first 3 PAs graduated
◉ 1968. Answer: When AAPA formed
◉ Become certified and obtain state license. Answer: How to
become PA after school
◉ AAPA, PAEA, NCCPA, and ARC-PA. Answer: Four main groups for
PA profession, wrote competencies for PA profession
◉ Med knowledge
Communication
Patient Care
Professionalism
Practice based learning
Systems based practice. Answer: Professional competencies
