More than 250 physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) have now been granted their registration by the General Medical Council (GMC), becoming the first regulated professionals in these fields.
The GMC became the official regulator for PAs and AAs on 13 December last year. This means that patients, employers and colleagues can be assured that once a PA or an AA has GMC registration, they meet the regulator’s standards and can be held to account if serious concerns are raised about their practice.
The GMC has already received over 3,000 applications from PAs and AAs on the voluntary register. It is also taking direct applications from PAs and AAs who have not been on the voluntary register, as well as newly qualified PAs and AAs.
Before registration can be granted, PAs and AAs must complete an application and provide evidence to show they meet the GMC’s standards. Those who qualified outside the UK must have their qualification assessed separately and must sit and pass both parts of their relevant registration assessment before they can begin the registration process.
From December 2026 it will be an offence to practise as a PA or AA in the UK without registration.
Upon receiving an application, GMC teams will:
- carefully check the information provided, including qualification details, registration and licensing history, work details and (for PAs) PA National Exam results
- request and review employer references
- check that the applicant has appropriately completed their fitness to practise and insurance and indemnity declarations
- verify the applicant’s identity
- check whether there is any other relevant information that needs to be considered and seek additional information and evidence if necessary
PAs and AAs who are on the voluntary registers were invited to join the GMC’s PA or AA register in a phased approach throughout December and January.
Una Lane, Director of Registration and Revalidation at the GMC, said: "For many PAs and AAs, regulation coming into effect in December was a long-awaited milestone. For us too, it was an important landmark that we had been working towards for a long time.
"We’re pleased to have reached this point, and that many of the first regulated PAs and AAs have given us positive feedback about their experience of the process. We look forward to helping many more achieve registration in the months to come."
More information about the GMC’s regulation of PAs and AAs is available here.
