What happens in the FFPMRCA exam
The Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FFPMRCA) examination has two parts: a written Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) paper and a Structured Oral Examination (SOE), taken after passing the MCQ during Advanced Pain Training. The SOE comprises a 50-minute Clinical Oral (a 20-minute Long Case after 10 minutes of reading time, followed by three 10-minute Short Questions) and a 30-minute Science Oral of three 10-minute questions. Two examiners mark each question independently, and candidates must pass both the MCQ and the SOE to be awarded the FFPMRCA.
Checked against the official sources on 24 October 2026.
The parts, in order
After 10 minutes of preparation time to review a clinical referral packet, pain questionnaires and investigation findings, candidates spend 20 minutes with two examiners presenting a biopsychosocial formulation, differential diagnosis, red and yellow flags, examination priorities and multidisciplinary management plan.
Three 10-minute short clinical pain scenarios presented verbally by two examiners across chronic non-cancer pain, neuropathic pain, cancer pain, interventional pain medicine, neuromodulation and opioid stewardship.
Three 10-minute structured oral questions with two examiners covering pain pharmacology, pain neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, and pain psychology, epidemiology and research methods.
How it is marked
Two examiners mark each component of the Clinical Oral and the Science Oral independently against the Faculty of Pain Medicine FFPMRCA Structured Oral Examination marking criteria.
Passing
Candidates must pass the written MCQ examination before sitting the Structured Oral Examination, and both components must be passed to be awarded the FFPMRCA.
Worth knowing
- Candidates must hold a Primary FRCA or recognised equivalent postgraduate qualification, be in an approved Advanced Pain Training post, and have passed the FFPMRCA MCQ before applying for the SOE.
- The Clinical Oral Long Case provides 10 minutes of reading time before the 20-minute oral; the Short Questions and Science Oral have no separate reading window.
Sources
- FFPMRCA Examination | Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetists
- FFPMRCA Examination Dates and Charges | Faculty of Pain Medicine
- FFPMRCA Examination Regulations | Faculty of Pain Medicine
Formats change. MedMock is not affiliated with any examining body; always check the current regulations on the official site before you book.
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