Primary and Final FRCA examinations regulations

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There is no prioritisation for the Primary MCQ or Final written papers.

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Updated 16 August 2021

FRCA Primary

Subject to eligibility in all other respects to sit the Primary OSCE and/or SOE, the following applicants will be accepted in the order of priority listed below according to the capacity of the exam sitting applied for:

1. Trainees in Deanery approved training posts on a GMC approved training programme in Anaesthetics at CT2/CT3, ACCS (Anaes) CT3/CT4, or outcome 10. Prioritisation at these levels will be based on the following order of priority:

• point in training on application with those furthest through training prioritised
• longest wait since passing the Primary MCQ with:
• trainees who did not get a place in the most recent sitting of the OSCE/SOE prioritised. 

2. Former UK anaesthetic trainees, who at the point of applications closing, will have been out of training for a period equal to or less than 24 months. Further prioritisation will be undertaken by seniority (see above). 

3. Trainees sponsored by the College under the MTI scheme.

4. Specialty/staff and Associate Specialist (SAS) grade doctors.

5. Trainees in Deanery approved training posts on a GMC approved training programme in Anaesthetics at CT1 and ACCS (Anaes) CT1/CT2.

6. ICM (single programme) trainees.

7. Former UK anaesthetic trainees, who at the point of applications closing, were in a training post longer than 24 months ago. 

8. Trainees in approved training posts in the Republic of Ireland.

9. All other eligible categories not listed above. 

FRCA Final

Subject to eligibility in all other respects to sit the Final SOE, the following applicants will be accepted in the order of priority listed below according to the capacity of the exam sitting applied for:

1. Trainees in Deanery approved training posts on a GMC approved training programme in Anaesthetics, and including those anaesthetic trainees on a dual CCT programme with ICM and those undertaking subspecialty training in pre-hospital emergency medicine at ST5/ST4. Prioritisation at these levels will be based on the following order of priority:

• point in training on application with those furthest through training prioritised
• longest wait since passing the Final Written with:
• trainees who did not get a place in the most recent sitting of the SOE prioritised. 

2. Trainees sponsored by the College under the MTI scheme.

3. Specialty/Staff and Associate Specialist (SAS) grade doctors.

4. Trainees in Deanery approved training posts on a GMC approved training programme in Anaesthetics at ST3/CT3.

5. ICM single programme trainees. 

6. Former UK anaesthetic trainees.

7. Trainees in approved training posts in the Republic of Ireland.

8. All other eligible categories not listed above. 

If there are too many candidates in any subcategory than exam places available, places will be offered by random selection. 

The College reserves the right to move candidates to a later sitting of the exam or remove and refund should there be insufficient capacity to examine them at the sitting applied for.

If you feel you have exceptional circumstances that would prioritise you for a place on a certain exam diet, please submit a letter of support from your Head of School. Applicants who are not in training can gain this support from their Regional Advisor, which can be accessed directly via a College Tutor or via your supervisor responsible for the management of your training. Supporting letters detailing your circumstances must be supplied at the time of booking. All submissions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  

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Specialists directed by the GMC to undergo an assessment of knowledge of Anaesthesia to support an application for entry to the Specialist Register under the Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) route will be admitted to the appropriate examination(s) under special arrangements.