What is FRCA?
The FRCA (Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists) is a professional qualification, which formally recognises and validates postgraduate specialty training in anaesthesia. It also confers additional professional rights and responsibilities to that of the MRCA; including involvement in college activities, voting at council meetings as well as holding office in committees and as a representative of the specialty. The final and primary FRCA examination is a practical and theoretical assessment of the trainee’s ability in their chosen field, as well as providing more general knowledge about clinical anaesthesia.
What are the benefits of obtaining an FRCA?
If you obtained your MRCA after 1991, it is necessary that you hold an FRCA to be counted for council & committee membership, voting at council meetings, and acting as board or branch representatives. This is not applicable if you completed your MRCA or FRCA before 1991.
The final and primary FRCA certificate indicates that the holder is a specialist in anaesthesia and has attained an acceptable level of competence and knowledge. It is therefore advantageous for those working in areas such as medical/surgical wards, intensive care units & pain management to have the distinction of the FRCA to show their patients, colleagues & other health professionals that they have met the high standards of competency required by a body with such an illustrious history.
What are the duties and responsibilities of someone who holds an FRCA?
The Royal College of Anaesthetists is both an examination board/college and a professional body for anaesthetists in the United Kingdom. As such, there are a number of duties and professional responsibilities involved. These include:
- To uphold the standards of training required for admission to the college; as well as maintaining satisfactory performance once qualified
- Carry out continuous professional development
- Maintain good clinical practice
- To comply with all Fitness to Practise Regulations (2007)
- To participate in College activities
The final and primary FRCA is a valuable qualification for anybody considering a career in clinical anaesthesia or critical care. It allows the ability to advance one’s career and move into positions of responsibility within the medical profession as well as providing the opportunity to undertake further training, which could lead to senior/management-level positions. It also provides a means of allowing involvement in the college and its activities at several levels, permitting clinical staff to participate in College affairs, and also allows members to hold office within committees as well as acting as representatives for the specialty.
Structure and Content of FRCA Examination
The FRCA examination comprises:
- Six Clinical Examination Papers (four Clinical Essays and two Case Reports)
- One Professional Skills Paper (Complex Problem Solving in Anaesthesia)
Examinations normally take place over an 8-month period, taking into account whether or not the candidate has previous experience in the examinations.
Eligibility to Apply for FRCA Examination
To be eligible for the final and primary FRCA, you must hold an MRCA taken after 1991. If you obtained your MRCA or FRCA before 1991, then it does not apply to you. Each year, around 800 people obtain their MRCA and of those approximately 200 will go on to gain their FRCA.
Applicants must have at least three years of relevant postgraduate experience since completion of their MRCA and a minimum of two years in anaesthesia. They are also required to attend a College Advisory/Preparatory Evening, where they will be advised about the examination process & who to contact if they require further details.
Fees involved
There are three different fees involved in the examination:
- Application fee – £395 per candidate (£545 for overseas candidates)
- Full Examination Fee – £2,350 per candidate (£3,625 for overseas candidates)
- If you have completed an MRCA-FRCA sequence at the same centre, and in the same session, there is a reduced fee of £775.
This must be paid by all candidates at the preregistration stage.
#1 Consultancy for FRCA Exam Registration
Documentation Required for Application for FRCA Examination
Candidates are required to provide:
- A completed application form (available from the College Membership Department)
- Candidates must meet the minimum criteria for Curriculum Vitae as set out on the College website. The CV should include any relevant publications, full details of publications, including newspaper articles and abstracts of presentations at meetings or congresses. A number of previous supervisors have written statements on the CV, as well as letters of support from current employers
- Two references (no more than four years old)
- A P60 form
- A contact address, as well as a mobile number and/or email address where they can be reached easily
Candidates who have an overseas qualification must also provide details of:
- The name and date of the qualification obtained
- Details of the awarding institution
- Whether the qualification/qualifications are recognised under any UK legislation
- Any equivalent UK qualifications (if applicable)
Application Process for FRCA Examination
When candidates have completed the above documents, they only need to forward them to the Membership Department, along with their application fee. The Membership Department will make an assessment on whether or not the candidate is eligible for FRCA Examination. If a candidate has been deemed eligible, then they are informed of this by letter and invited to attend a preregistration evening, where they will be advised on the process of examination as well as general tips & hints.