Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists
The FRCA examinations are an integral part of the College's programme of assessments.
The FRCA examinations test the knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes as defined by the anaesthetic training curriculum.
Our examinations remain internationally recognised for their fairness and high standards. They have evolved to reflect contemporary best educational and assessment practice and developments in anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine.
The College is committed to maintaining the highest standards for its examinations. In order to maintain this position, the FRCA examiners and the examinations directorate rigorously quality assures all its processes and ongoing development work to ensure the pre-eminence of the FRCA.
The FRCA examinations provide anaesthetists in training with the opportunity to demonstrate the required outcomes of the curriculum and determine satisfactory progression at each critical progression point within their training programme. The FRCA examinations are also open to anaesthetic doctors who are not in an approved training programme (conditions apply).
As an exams candidate, you will sit the FRCA in two parts:
- the Primary examinations, which are aligned to the core level training curriculum, followed by;
- the Final examinations which are aligned to the intermediate level training curriculum.
Each examination tests different outcomes and competencies using validated assessment methods to test a broad-spectrum of knowledge, understanding, skills, behaviours and attitudes. The exams are approved by the General Medical Council (GMC) for UK postgraduate medical training and follow the UK curricula and guidelines.
On successful completion of both Primary and Final FRCA examinations, you would become a fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists by examination and can use the letters FRCA after your name.
Fellowship is also a valued professional distinction for the many international students who come to the UK to sit the FRCA exams.
I would not have made it through the [exam] day had it not been for all the support I received from staff at the college. …. all those staff involved that day … helped make an extremely stressful situation manageable. It has reinforced how being a member of the Royal College of Anaesthetists is truly something to be proud of!
Virtual Tour of the College
To some trainees, already nervous on exam day, our building can appear intimidating at first glance. Take a quick virtual tour before you attend, it will make you feel more familiar with the layout of the College and go some way to easing your anxiety.
