Future revalidation for physician associates and anaesthesia associates

Published 27 September 2024

Revalidation is the process we’ll use to make sure you remain up to date and fit to practise once you’ve registered with us. We’re developing a model that will support you to reflect on and develop your practice, give colleagues and patients confidence that you’re keeping up to date, and help drive improvements in clinical governance.

When will I have to revalidate?

Before we set individual revalidation dates for PAs and AAs we have to develop and consult on revalidation rules. We will set out our timeline for this soon as well as giving more detail on our expectations and requirements for associates and employers.

How will I revalidate?

It will be based on the collection of six pieces of supporting information.

The supporting information we’ll ask for will mirror the six categories that we currently require for doctors:

  • continuing professional development
  • complaints and compliments
  • feedback from colleagues
  • feedback from patients
  • quality improvement activity
  • significant events.

You’ll discuss and reflect on this information at your annual appraisal. Then, usually once every five years, we’ll ask your employer to make a recommendation to confirm that you are up to date and fit to practise.

We’ve updated our guidance on supporting information for revalidation so that it will be ready to apply to you in the future. This won’t formally come into effect for PAs and AAs until revalidation starts, but you and your employer can refer to it now to help you prepare for the future.

As for doctors, our revalidation model will not routinely require PAs or AAs to sit an exam as part of the process.

What will you ask my employer?

Once every five years we’ll ask your employer for a recommendation to confirm you are:

  • collecting the required supporting information and discussing this during annual appraisal
  • fit to practise, complying with any conditions on your registration and working within the bounds of your competence
  • keeping your knowledge and skills up to date by participating in appropriate CPD and learning activities

We’ve updated our existing guidance for employers, Effective clinical governance for supporting revalidation, so that it will be ready to apply to you in future. The guidance supports organisations to evaluate the effectiveness of their local arrangements, including clinical governance, appraisal, managing concerns and pre-employment checks.

Can I revalidate if I’m in an educational role or taking a temporary break?

Our model will be flexible enough to ensure those who are working in non-clinical roles or taking a temporary break from work are not disadvantaged and are still able to revalidate. For instance, revalidation might be deferred for a sabbatical, sickness absence or parental leave.

If you’re not working as a PA or AA for prolonged period, you will need to give up your registration and re-apply when you’re ready to return to practice.