PA Fee Increase 2025: A Clear Guide to Your New GMC Registration & PARA Exam Costs
If you’ve seen “PA fee increase 2025” and are now confused about what you actually need to pay, you’re not alone.
This “increase” isn’t an arbitrary rise. It’s the introduction of new mandatory statutory regulation for Physician Associates (PAs) and Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) by the General Medical Council (GMC).
This guide provides a simple, clear breakdown of every new mandatory and voluntary cost you will face in 2025. We will cover the official £325 GMC annual fee, the £920 PARA exam cost, and calculate the total first-year cost for new graduates.
Here are the key numbers you need to know at a glance.
| Fee Type | Cost | Mandatory or Voluntary? | Frequency |
| GMC Registration | £325 | Mandatory | Annual |
| PARA Exam | £920 | Mandatory (for new grads) | One-Time |
| FPA Membership | ~£200 | Voluntary | Annual |
| Total 1st-Year Cost | £1,245 | (GMC + PARA) | First Year Only |
What is the New 2025 GMC Fee for Physician Associates?
The most important figure in the 2025 PA fee changes is the new cost for mandatory registration.
The Official Cost: £325 Annually
The General Medical Council (GMC) has confirmed the fee structure for PAs. This is not a one-time payment; it is your annual retention fee to remain on the official GMC register. General Medical Council (GMC) PA Fee Schedule
- Who: All practicing Physician Associates in the UK
- What: Annual registration fee
- Cost: £325
This fee ensures you are legally registered and meet the professional standards of “Good medical practice.”
When Does This Start? (Effective Date: 1 April 2025)
This new fee structure becomes effective on April 1, 2025. This date marks the official opening of the GMC register for Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates. The £325 fee applies to the 2025-2026 registration year.
Why Is This “PA Fee Increase” Happening? (It’s a New Regulation, Not an Old Fee)
This is the biggest point of confusion. The keyword “increase” is misleading. PAs are not paying more for an old service; they are paying a new fee for a completely new legal status.
The Shift from a Voluntary to a Mandatory Register
Previously, PAs were on the Faculty of Physician Associates’ (FPA) “Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register” (PAMVR). This was a professional list, not a legal requirement to practice.
New UK legislation has now made GMC registration a statutory requirement. This isn’t an “increase” to the old voluntary fee; it’s a new, mandatory fee that reflects your new status as a legally regulated healthcare professional.
What GMC Regulation Means for PAs and Patient Safety
This move to statutory regulation is a major milestone for the profession.
It brings PAs in line with doctors and other regulated professionals. It provides legal protection for the “Physician Associate” title and ensures all practicing PAs are accountable to the same high standards for patient safety and professional conduct.
Don’t Forget the PARA: Your One-Time £920 Exam Cost
For new graduates, the GMC fee isn’t the only cost. Before you can even apply for registration, you must pass the new qualifying exam.
The 2025 Physician Associate Registration Assessment (PARA) Fee
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP), which administers the exam, has set the total 2025 cost for the PARA at £920. Royal College of Physicians (RCP) PARA Exam Fees
This single fee covers both parts of the assessment:
- The Knowledge Based Assessment (KBA)
- The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
You must pass both components of the PARA before you are eligible to pay your £325 fee and join the GMC register.
Who Has to Take the PARA Exam?
This exam is the new, mandatory gateway for all new PA graduates from UK university programs. If you are a student or a 2025 graduate, this fee applies to you.
Mandatory vs. Voluntary: GMC Fee vs. FPA Membership
This is the most critical financial distinction for all PAs in 2025. You must understand which payment is a legal requirement and which is a professional choice.
Common Pitfall: GMC vs. FPA Fees
Don’t pay for the wrong thing. The GMC fee (£325) is mandatory to work legally. The Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) fee (~£200) is voluntary for professional membership. You must pay the GMC; the FPA is your choice.
Mandatory: GMC Registration (£325) = Your Legal Licence to Practice
This £325 annual fee is your legal licence. You cannot be legally employed as a Physician Associate in any UK nation (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland) without being on this register.
Voluntary: FPA Membership (~£200) = Your Professional Body
The Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) is your professional membership body, not your regulator. The FPA advocates for the profession, provides CPD resources, and builds a professional community. The FPA membership fee (around £200) is 100% voluntary and separate from your mandatory GMC registration.
Total First-Year Cost for New PA Graduates in 2025
So, what is the final, all-in cost to go from a PA student to a practicing professional in 2025?
Pro-Tip: Budgeting for Your First Year
As a new graduate, your total mandatory ‘cost to practice’ in 2025 will be £1,245. This includes your one-time £920 PARA exam fee and your first £325 GMC annual fee.
A Simple Calculation: £920 (PARA) + £325 (GMC) = £1,245
This £1,245 is the total mandatory cost to get qualified and registered. You pay the £920 to the RCP to sit the exam, and once you pass, you pay the £325 to the GMC to get on the register.
Your 2025 PA Fee Checklist: Key Takeaways
Here is your simple summary of the 2025 PA fee changes:
- New Mandatory GMC Fee: £325 (annual retention fee).
- New Mandatory PARA Exam: £920 (one-time exam fee for graduates).
- Total First-Year Mandatory Cost: £1,245.
- Voluntary FPA Membership: ~£200 (separate from GMC).
While these new 2025 fees represent a significant financial step, the move to statutory GMC regulation is the most important milestone in the history of the PA profession in the UK. It offers new levels of professional protection, and accountability, and solidifies the PA role as a vital part of the medical team.
Are you a PA student or new graduate? Share this guide with your cohort to ensure everyone is clear on the new 2025 costs.
FAQs
What is the official GMC registration fee for Physician Associates in 2025?
The fee is £325. This is an annual retention fee, not a one-time payment, and is effective from 1 April 2025.
Is it mandatory for PAs to register with the GMC?
Yes. As of 2025, GMC registration is a statutory (legal) requirement to practice as a Physician Associate in the UK.
How much does the PARA exam cost for PAs?
The total fee for the Physician Associate Registration Assessment (PARA) in 2025 is £920. This is a one-time fee paid to the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) to cover both the KBA and OSCE parts of the exam.
What is the total cost for a new PA graduate to get registered in 2025?
The total mandatory cost is £1,245. This is the £920 PARA exam fee plus the £325 for your first year of GMC registration.
Do I have to pay both the GMC fee and the FPA fee?
No. You must pay the £325 GMC fee to work legally. The Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) fee (~£200) is voluntary for professional membership.
When do Physician Associates have to register with the GMC?
The new GMC register for PAs and AAs opens on 1 April 2025. New graduates will register as soon as they pass the PARA exam after this date.
What happens if I don’t pay the GMC PA fee?
If you do not pay your £325 annual retention fee, your registration will lapse. You will be removed from the register and will not be legally allowed to work as a Physician Associate in the UK.
Is the PA GMC fee the same as the fee for doctors?
No, the fees are different. The stand
About the Author
