Become an FRCA examiner

Examiners are expected to contribute across a range of activities, which may include:

• examining at College diets
• attending core group and working party meetings
• question writing and question review
• item development and editing
• standardisation and standard-setting activity
• candidate guidance activity
• appraisal, audit and quality assurance processes
• examination development projects and related educational work

The exact balance of duties will vary depending on the examination and subgroup.

Essential criteria

Applicants must:

• Fellow by Examination in good standing (including ad eundem or Fellow by election) of the Royal College of Anaesthetists

• have 3 years’ experience as a substantive consultant/SAS grade.

  Note, applicants may need five+ years as a substantive consultant/SAS grade to demonstrate the necessary experience and commitment to education and training of trainees

• hold full GMC registration without limitation
• be in active clinical practice in the UK
• be a member in good standing* of the Royal College of Anaesthetists
• be able to commit the required professional and personal time to the role, with support from their Trust or Health Board where needed
• demonstrate active and sustained involvement in postgraduate education and training

*member subs fully paid

Desirable criteria

It is desirable for applicants to have:

• formal educational qualifications such as a PGCert, PGDip or Master’s in Medical Education
• involvement in written or electronic publications relevant to education, training or basic sciences
• instructor status or similar postgraduate teaching credentials
• a subspecialty interest relevant to the current needs of the examining body
• previous experience in assessment design, standard setting, or examiner-related work

Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate:

• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• sound judgement in high-stakes assessment contexts
• the ability to work effectively and professionally as part of a team
• high personal and professional standards
• a current understanding of clinical practice and training expectations
• fairness, courtesy and non-discrimination toward candidates and colleagues
• a clear understanding of the level of knowledge, skills and attitudes required for candidates to meet the standard of the examination
• attention to detail, discretion, tact and diplomacy
• willingness to contribute to the broader aims of education and assessment

Applicants should normally be able to demonstrate more than one of the following:

• current or recent College Tutor / Faculty Tutor / Regional Adviser role
• active Educational Supervisor or Clinical Supervisor role with wider evidence of engagement
• leadership or faculty role in regional or national teaching programmes
• involvement in examination preparation courses
• contribution to curriculum, assessment or question development
• educational leadership within department, school, region or specialty
• formal educational qualifications or training in medical education

The Education, Training and Examinations Board expects all examiners to make a full commitment to the examination.

This includes:

• a minimum of 10 days per academic year
• attendance at relevant examination diets
• attendance at three core group meetings or working parties per academic year
• contribution to question writing, review and examination development
• participation in appraisal, audit and quality processes
• timely attendance at meetings, debriefs, CPD activity and training sessions

Examiners are expected to prioritise examination duties unless there are exceptional circumstances.

The 10 examining days cannot normally be rolled across academic years.

Before taking up an appointment to be an examiner, all successful applicants must attend an examiner training day, which includes the principles of assessment and taking part in mock exams.  Attendance at this session is mandatory. The training date is provided in advance as part of the application process and typically takes place in September/October each year. 

New examiners who are unable to attend this training day will be required to reapply for examinership the following year.

All successful applicants must also complete:

• training in assessment principles and examiner practice
• annual Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training
• ongoing examiner development and standardisation activity
• participation in revalidation, annual appraisal and CPD requirements in the applicant’s substantive role
• Examiners may also be expected to support newer colleagues through buddying or mentoring arrangements.

Performance will be monitored through appraisal, audit, feedback and review processes. Where concerns arise, support and additional training may be offered. In some cases, this may lead to probationary review or further formal action in line with College policy.

All details regarding eligibility, selection and appointment can be found in the FRCA selection and appointment of examiners regulations.  

Applicants shall be assessed against the eligibility criteria as outlined in the the FRCA Examiner Job Description if selected, are expected to adhere to the duties and responsibilities as stipulated. 

Selection is based on eligibility, the number of examiners retiring, as well as geographical distribution, numbers from individual hospitals, subspecialty interests, clinical and basic science examiners, representation of teaching and district general hospitals and experience.  

The College does not discriminate on grounds of protected characteristics.

Most examiners are engaged on the standard contract. Please see 2.3.1 RCoA Delivered Examinations Examiner Regulations. This tenure requires a minimum commitment of 6 years and a maximum of 10 years.

If there are exceptional circumstances, a request can be submitted to the Chair and Head of Examinations for Less than Full Time from year 2 of the examiner tenure only.  Please see 2.3.4 RCoA Delivered Examinations Examiner Regulations.

Please note that any examiner retiring from clinical practice during an academic year is normally required to retire from examining. Although the board may approve continuation of examining or exam duties, to the end of the academic year in which an examiner retires, conditions apply.