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.

Bringing PAs and AAs into regulation

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. 
Join our MAPs community of interest

Guidance for AAs and PAs

A group of doctors meeting to discuss a patient

Good medical practice: interim standards for physician associates and anaesthesia associates

A framework for making decisions that keep patients safe.
Medical professional discussing information in a flyer with patients

Ethical guidance for PAs and AAs

The professional values, knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of physician associates and anaesthesia associates.
A doctor talking to another doctor in a bright, engaging setting

Registration for PAs or AAs

Once regulation starts, you’ll need to register with us to practise as a PA or AA in the UK.

Anaesthesia associate and physician associate news