Using the Role Delineation study as the basis (see CE 031 628), a project developed a criterion-referenced self-assessment examination for physican assistants (PAs) from which appropriate continuing education could be developed. Working committees consisting of PAs and PA educators first developed five 80-item test sections and then 315 items which were assembled into a six-hour, two-section examination. The domain of the examination was the competency skills and knowledge expected of an entry-level generalist PA and had been defined in terms of two sets of scales: 17 role scales and 28 body system scales. Following this discussion of the project procedures, certain technical issues are examined in section 3, including objectives of self-assessment examination, test specifications, scales definition, item generation through use of the critical incidents technique, test item revision, test interpretation (proper use of test results), and technical limitations and deficiencies. Section 4 focuses on planning for the development of a national pilot continuing medical education system for PAs. Exhibits, amounting to approximately one-third of the volume, include an unprioritized list of program and research objectives, 11 areas of the PA Role Delineation, data tables and graphs from the two try-outs of the examination, and an example computer report and interpretive leaflet sent to persons who took the examination. (YLB)