Daemen University’s Physician Assistant students achieved a perfect first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), further demonstrating the institution’s national distinction reputation. 
The 2025 PANCE performance report revealed that Daemen’s first-time pass rate for its 55 class of 2025 PA students was 100%. In 2024, Daemen’s first-time pass rate was 96%, exceeding the national first-time pass rate of 92%.
“I am so proud of our program, faculty, and students, and grateful for all the institutional support we receive to make this program one of true excellence and distinction,” said Jennifer Barwell, Associate Professor, Program Director and Chair, PA Department.
The PA program, which was introduced in 1994, admits 65 students annually and is already at full capacity for fall 2025, with several students on the program’s waitlist.
Physician Assistant students must pass the PANCE after graduating to practice clinically. The multiple-choice exam includes five blocks of 60 questions with 60 minutes to complete each block and covers a wide range of medical and surgical knowledge.