Reviewing RCoA membership

We’ve been reviewing how well our membership categories, fees and benefits support the needs of our members.  

You’ve told us that there are often too many barriers to joining the College and that accessing benefits can be confusing and complex. As other areas of our College activity are being updated to reflect changes in clinical practice and working lives, it’s time for us to look at evolving how membership works too.

In our 2025 membership survey, we asked you how you felt about us potentially updating our categories, fees and benefits. Over 65% of respondents were in support of us developing and simplifying membership.  

Our Board of Trustees have now approved a formal review of the current membership categories and benefit offering of the College and FPM. See our FAQ page for more information on the timetable for this work and what’s in scope.

What do we want to improve?

We want to make your membership:

  • More inclusive, valuable and future-ready.
  • Fair and transparent, while ensuring financial sustainability.
  • Simpler and smarter, with automation that improves member experience.
  • Easier to navigate, making it more accessible and efficient for both members our employees.
  • Sustainable, with the right resources to support our community over time.  

This review is the first step in achieving this vision. 

How can you help?

Now we need you, our members, to help us to decide the next stage of our membership model and offer. Over the next six months, we’ll be reaching out to as many members as possible to get your views on changes to the member categories and work together to shape a modern and inclusive membership.  

There are three proposed new category models for you to review and respond to between March and June. These have been developed using member feedback, comparator research and in consultation with elected Council members. The details of the proposed models are still subject to change as we continue discussions with you and reflect your feedback.

Option 1: One category, one fee

Criteria: 

  • an individual working in anesthesia who wishes to support the work of the College through membership

One fee for all, with discounts available:

  • In Training (25%)
  • LTFT (20% off fee)
  • Overseas Lower middle and Lower countries (20% off fee)
  • Retired (50% off fee)
  • Foundation Years Doctor/ Medical Student (75%)
  • Supported subscription (75% off fee)
  • Maternity leave, extended paternity leave and adoption leave (1 year of membership without fee)
  • Honorary (100% off fee)

Support throughout your career

  • Discounts on events and courses
  • LLP access for me (learner or CPD)
  • Access to educational resources and content created by the RCoA (videos, podcasts and webinars)
  • Access CPD certificates
  • Access e-LA
  • Book the College's building facilities and hire a room(s) at a discounted rate

High-quality publications

  • Member publications (Bulletin, GPAS and others)
  • Full access to the BJA and BJA Education

A say in how we're governed

  • Vote for your representative(s) on Council.
  • Attend, speak and vote at General Meetings

Please note:

  • Eligibility to sit on Council is determined by members medical grade, being registered with a licence to practice on the GMC register. Consultants must also be on the Specialist Register.
  • Eligibility to vote in Council elections is determined by members medical grade and being registered with a licence to practice on the GMC register.
  • Use of post-nominals is subject to individuals passing the Primary and/ or Final FRCA Examinations.

Option 2: Two categories, one fee

Criteria: 

  • Fellowship through passing the Final FRCA examinations or;
  • Fellowship through passing the Final FRCA examinations and completing certification of training or;
  • Fellowship through application via the Nominations Committee.

One fee for all. Discounts available:

  • In Training (25%)
  • LTFT (20% off fee)
  • Overseas Lower middle and Lower countries (20% off fee)
  • Retired (50% off fee)
  • Foundation Years Doctor/ Medical Student (75%)
  • Supported subscription (75% off fee)
  • Maternity leave, extended paternity leave and adoption leave (1 year of membership without fee)
  • Honorary (100% off fee)

Criteria: 

  • an individual working in anaesthesia who wishes to support the work of the College through membership and
  • is not eligible for Fellowship

One fee for all. Discounts available:

  • In Training (25%)
  • LTFT (20% off fee)
  • Overseas Lower middle and Lower countries (20% off fee)
  • Retired (50% off fee)
  • Foundation Years Doctor/ Medical Student (75%)
  • Supported subscription (75% off fee)
  • Maternity leave, extended paternity leave and adoption leave (1 year of membership without fee)
  • Honorary (100% off fee)

Support throughout your career

  • Discounts on events and courses
  • LLP access for me (learner or CPD)
  • Access to educational resources and content created by the RCoA (videos, podcasts and webinars)
  • Access CPD certificates
  • Access e-LA
  • Book the College's building facilities and hire a room(s) at a discounted rate

High-quality publications

  • Member publications (Bulletin, GPAS and others)
  • Full access to the BJA and BJA Education

A say in how we're governed

  • Vote for your representative(s) on Council
  • Attend, speak and vote at General Meetings

Please note:

  • Eligibility to sit on Council is determined by members medical grade, being registered with a licence to practice on the GMC register. Consultants must also be on the Specialist Register.
  • Eligibility to vote in Council elections is determined by members medical grade and being registered with a licence to practice on the GMC register.
  • Use of post-nominals is subject to individuals passing the Primary and/or Final FRCA Examinations.

Option 3: Four categories, four fees

Criteria: 

  • Fellowship through passing the Final FRCA examinations or;
  • Fellowship through passing the Final FRCA examinations and completing certification of training or;
  • Fellowship through application via the Nominations Committee.

Fee will be specific to this category. Discounts available.

  • LTFT (20% off fee)
  • Overseas Lower middle and Lower countries (20% off fee)
  • Retired (50% off fee)
  • Supported subscription (75% off fee)
  • Maternity leave, extended paternity leave and adoption leave (1 year of membership without fee)
  • Honorary (100% off fee)

Benefits:

  • Support throughout your career
    • Discounts on events and courses
    • LLP access for me (CPD only)
    • Access to educational resources and content created by the RCoA (videos, podcasts and webinars)
    • Access CPD certificates
    • Access e-LA
    • Book the College's building facilities and hire a room(s) at a discounted rate
  • High-quality publications
    • Member publications (Bulletin, GPAS and others)
    • Full access to the BJA and BJA Education
  • A say in how we're governed
    • Vote for your representative(s) on Council
    • Attend, speak and vote at General Meetings

Please note:

  • Eligibility to sit on Council is determined by members medical grade, being registered with a licence to practice on the GMC register. Consultants must also be on the Specialist Register.
  • Eligibility to vote in Council elections is determined by members medical grade and being registered with a licence to practice on the GMC register.
  • Use of post-nominals is subject to individuals passing the Primary and/ or Final FRCA Examinations.

Criteria:

  • Pass both parts of the Primary FRCA examinations and
  • are no longer in Training roles or eligible for Fellowship. 

Fee will be specific to this category. Discounts available.

  • LTFT (20% off fee)
  • Overseas Lower middle and Lower countries (20% off fee)
  • Retired (50% off fee)
  • Supported subscription (75% off fee)
  • Maternity leave, extended paternity leave and adoption leave (1 year of membership without fee)
  • Honorary (100% off fee)

Benefits:

  • Support throughout your career
    • Discounts on events and courses.
    • LLP access for me (CPD only)
    • Access to educational resources and content created by the RCoA (videos, podcasts and webinars)
    • Access CPD certificates
    • Access e-LA
    • Book the College's building facilities and hire a room(s) at a discounted rate
  • High-quality publications
    • Member publications (Bulletin, GPAS and others)
    • Full access to the BJA and BJA Education
  • A say in how we're governed
    • Vote for your representative(s) on Council
    • Attend, speak and vote at General Meetings

Please note:

  • Eligibility to sit on Council is determined by members medical grade, being registered with a licence to practice on the GMC register. Consultants must also be on the Specialist Register.
  • Eligibility to vote in Council elections is determined by members medical grade and being registered with a licence to practice on the GMC register.
  • Use of post-nominals is subject to individuals passing the Primary and/ or Final FRCA Examinations.

Criteria:

  • a registered medical practitioner working in a training role. 

Fee will be specific to this category. Discounts available.

  • LTFT (20% off fee)
  • Overseas Lower middle and Lower countries (20% off fee)
  • Retired (50% off fee)
  • Supported subscription (75% off fee)
  • Maternity leave, extended paternity leave and adoption leave (1 year of membership without fee)
  • Honorary (100% off fee)

Benefits:

  • Support throughout your career
    • Discounts on events and courses.
    • LLP access for me (learner only)
    • Access to educational resources and content created by the RCoA (videos, podcasts and webinars)
    • Access CPD certificates
    • Access e-LA
    • Book the College's building facilities and hire a room(s) at a discounted rate
  • High-quality publications
    • Member publications (Bulletin, GPAS and others)
    • Full access to the BJA and BJA Education
  • A say in how we're governed
    • Vote for your representative(s) on Council
    • Attend, speak and vote at General Meetings

Please note:

  • Eligibility to sit on Council is determined by members medical grade, being registered with a licence to practice on the GMC register. Consultants must also be on the Specialist Register.
  • Eligibility to vote in Council elections is determined by members medical grade and being registered with a licence to practice on the GMC register.
  • Use of post-nominals is subject to individuals passing the Primary and/ or Final FRCA Examinations.

Criteria:

  • not a registered medical professional
  • individuals who have an interest in the development or delivery of anaesthesia, critical care, pain medicine or perioperative medicine.

Fee will be specific to this category. Discounts are available.

  • LTFT (20% off fee)
  • Overseas Lower middle and Lower countries (20% off fee)
  • Retired (50% off fee)
  • Supported subscription (75% off fee)
  • Maternity leave, extended paternity leave and adoption leave (1 year of membership without fee)
  • Honorary (100% off fee)

Benefits:

  • Support throughout your career
    • Discounts on events and courses
    • Access to educational resources and content created by the RCoA (videos, podcasts etc)
    • Access CPD certificates
    • Access e-LA
    • Book the College's building facilities and hire a room(s) at a discounted rate
  • High-quality publications
    • Member publications (Bulletin, GPAS etc)
    • Full access to the BJA and BJA Education

Know your preferred option?

Vote today

How to feedback

Come and chat to us in person

We’ll be hosting Let’s Talk meetings across the next few months and running in-person sessions at events such as Anaesthesia 2026. We want to speak to members where you are and are hoping to visit hospitals across the UK. We’ll keep you updated on where and when these will take place and if you’d like to host us at your hospital, get in touch!  

Our online feedback form

Filling in the feedback form takes just a few minutes and provides us with invaluable insight and guidance.  

Email us

Alternatively, you can reach out to us directly with questions or feedback  by emailing engage@rcoa.ac.uk.