PA and AA regulation
In July 2019, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), with the support of the four UK governments, asked us to regulate two groups of medical associate professions (MAPs) – physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs). We're designing the processes and policies needed to make this possible. These changes are dependent on new legislation and subject to consultation. Based on the government’s timetable for consultation we expect regulation to begin in the second half of 2024 at the earliest.
Join our community of interest group
Share your views on the developments and receive regular email updates by joining our MAPs community of interest group. This is open to everyone. You don’t need to be a practising PA or AA to sign up.
Guidance for AAs and PAs
Watch our PA and AA student webinar
MAPs | 2 Dec 2022
Watch the recording of our November 2022 PA and AA student webinar to get an update on our plans to bring PAs and AAs into regulation.
Have your say on the AA registration assessment content map
MAPs | 28 Nov 2022
We plan to introduce a new pre-registration assessment for AAs from 2025.
An update on the UK government’s timetable for regulation of PAs and AAs
MAPs | 22 Jul 2022
The Department of Health and Social Care has recently let us know that the earliest possible start date for regulation will now be the second half of 2024.
Common questions: regulating physician associates and anaesthesia associates
MAPs | 21 Jun 2022
Answers to questions which doctors frequently ask about physician associates and anaesthesia associates
PA and AA education: what have we been doing?
MAPs | 22 Mar 2022
Update on our development of education for physician associates and anaesthesia associates.
Dates are changing but our commitment to PAs and AAs remains
MAPs | 1 Dec 2021
Dates for regulating physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) have changed. We now expect the legislative process won't be complete before summer 2023.
Spotlight on professional standards
MAPs | 6 Aug 2021
We’ve engaged widely and conducted research in order to create an interim professional standards for PAs and AAs. Learn about what we plan to offer to help bring our guidance to life.
