Recertification | Faculty of Physician Associates - quality health care across the NHS

Examinations

Recertification

COVID-19 and Assessments update

September examinations

We are pleased to confirm that Physician Associate national recertification examinations will recommence from this Autumn, dependent on the impact of COVID-19, and in accordance with the latest policies on travel, social distancing and infection control. Our aim is to deliver examinations with as little disruption to candidate preparation as possible. However, some format changes may be necessary to ensure that we continue to ensure the safety of all involved in the delivery of our examinations.

We continue to finalise our plans for delivery of the examinations in September. Any changes or amendments that are made will be communicated to candidates via email as far in advance of any examination day as possible. It is therefore important on registering to sit the recertification examination that candidates provide an up to date and accessible email address.

Registrations for the September 2020 diet of the physician associate national recertification examination have now CLOSED.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Assessment Unit if you have any queries.

The recertification exam

The recertification exam is designed to cover all core areas of practice that a physician associate is expected to maintain knowledge in, regardless of whether they are working in a specific specialty. Medicine is forever changing and physician associates have a responsibility to keep up to date. This ensures they are fit to practise and safe for patients.

The fee for the recertification examination is £275

Payment must be received prior to the examination.

The RCP assessment unit reserves the right to review the examination fees periodically.

Sitting the recertification examination

In order to remain on the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR) physician associates have to sit the recertification examination every six years. Physician associates have three attempts to sit and pass the recertification examination.

The first opportunity will be at the beginning of their fifth year of practice after qualifying as a physician associate and they must pass the examination before the end of their sixth year.

If any physician associate fails the recertification examination on three occasions, or does not pass the examination within the above timeframe, they will be removed from the PAMVR and their employer notified. They will then have to take the national certification examination or follow the process that the statutory regulator stipulates in order to enter onto the PAMVR.

Recertification Examination Dates 2020

Assessment Period	Application period		Exam date period	Results released
Period 3	Monday, 29 June 2020	Sunday, 12 July 2020	Thursday, 10 September 2020	Thursday, 29 October 2020