Visitors to FRCA examinations

Please note that it is no longer a requirement to observe the examination for application to FRCA examinership.

Who can visit?

Visitors may include:

• Trainers and educators
• Regional advisors
• College Tutors
• Members of relevant committees
• External stakeholders with an interest in anaesthetic education and assessment

Please check your eligibility to visit an FRCA exam here.

Visitors to current exams

The college welcomes up to a maximum of six visitors per day to The FRCA Primary Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Structured Oral Examination (SOE) examinations and ten visitors a day to the FRCA Final Structured Oral Examination (SOE) examinations. Spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis. 

Visitors to pilots (2026)

• As we are introduce new examinations as part of the FRCA assessment framework, visitors are welcome at our pilot sittings and will be offered places for pilots taking place in 2026.
• A maximum of six visitors per day will be permitted.

Visitors to new exams (AY27–28 onwards)

To ensure smooth delivery and fairness for candidates, the following policy applies:

• Visits are limited to one session per day, and visitors are expected to stay for the full day, including networking opportunities over lunch.
• A maximum of nine visitors per day will be permitted.
• Visitor support will be available to help direct guests to the correct floor during initial diets.
• No visitors will be allowed during the first diet of any new exam.
• Visitors cannot attend on days when legacy Primary diets are running.

What to expect during your visit

• You should expect to spend the whole day at the College, normally from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm.
• On arrival at the College, you will be directed to the briefing room where the examinations chair will brief you on the examination you are observing and the schedule for the day.  
• You are invited to join the examiners for lunch for networking.
• You will have the opportunity to share your reflections on your day with the chair before departure.
• You will also be asked to provide feedback.

Requesting a visit

• To register your interest in visiting an exam or pilot, please complete our Visitor Request Form.
• Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
• If your application to visit an examination is successful, College staff will contact you to confirm your booking.
• Please arrange leave from your work place as soon as you receive confirmation of a visitor allocation from us. 

• If your situation changes and you are unable to attend, please let the College know as soon as possible so your place can be reallocated.

   

Important notes

• Visitors should arrive promptly for the morning briefing and remain for the full day.
• Photography, recording, or sharing of exam content is strictly prohibited.
• You must not bring activated bleeps or mobile telephones to the examination and may be asked to leave if a mobile phone or electronic device rings.
• Once you have visited one part of the exam, you may request to visit the other part, however, priority will be given to people who have not visited any part of the exam before. (OSCE SOE)
• Expenses are only payable to College examiners and examiners-elect who visit examinations in accordance with College procedures.