The Irish Society of Physician Associates (ISPA) is the interim governing representative body for qualified physician associates and (Irish trained )physician associate (RCSI) students in the Republic of Ireland. The ISPA was established to provide professional support to both qualified physician associates and physician associate students in their education, training and continued professional development (CPD) in the Republic of Ireland. The ISPA manages the Managed Voluntary Registry (MVR). In order to practice as a physician associate in the Republic of Ireland, individuals must be a member of the ISPA and must be listed on the MVR.

The ISPA aims to promote the profile of the physician associate profession in the Republic of Ireland, by providing information regarding the profession to the general public, other healthcare professionals and employers.

Physician Associates (PAs) are  new healthcare professionals that are trained in the medical model and work as part of a multidisciplinary team  under the supervision a consultant or GP. PA’s function with a delegate autonomy that is consistent with the consultants’ or GP scope of practice. PA’s provide a broad range of medical services in a wide variety of workplaces (including all types of hospitals and surgical care, GP practices and community health services). PAs support doctors and surgeons in the diagnosis and management of patients and are trained to perform several roles, including but not limited to taking medical histories, performing examinations, making diagnoses, performing procedures and analysing test results.

Physician Associate are educated at the level 9 master’s degree. There is only 1 MSc Physician Associate  Studies programme in the Republic of Ireland at present.  The admission process is highly competitive, requiring applicants must hold a level 8 Health Science or science-related degree with a minimum classification 2.2 award or equivalent qualification. The PA programme are approximately 24 months (two academic years), and include classroom instruction and more than 2,000 hours of clinical rotations . For Entry requirements please follow link to the RCSI postgraduate website- MSc in Physician Associate Studies page HERE

The MSc in Physician Associate Studies is a postgraduate qualification that includes extensive clinical placement. For more information, please contact pastudies@rcsi.ie

The ISPA are currently only accepting student membership from physician associate students in year 1 & 2 of the MSc Physician Associate Studies in RCSI, Dublin.

The Managed Voluntary Register (MVR) is a register of fully qualified physician associates who have successfully passed the IPANE (Irish Physician Associate National Exam). The MVR is held by the ISPA.  The MVR allows employers and potential employers to confirm whether an applicant or employee is a fully qualified physician associate and successfully passed the IPANE .

The register is voluntary while work towards statutory regulation is underway, however qualified PAs, who wish to be employed in Ireland, are strongly encouraged to sit  and pass the IPANE and join the register.

In order for a Physician Associate to receive an MVR number, they must meet all of the following criteria:

• Graduate from a PA programme in Ireland, UK, US or Canada.
• Proof of your PA qualification.
• Successfully pass the National Exam in the country where they received their degree.
• Successfully pass the IPANE every 6 years.
• Maintain ISPA membership.
• Maintain 50 CPD points annually.

Should you wish to apply for a place on the ISPA MVR with the intent of working in Ireland, please email the ISPA with required documentation: – Proof of your PA qualification

• Certificate showing recent successful completion of PA National Exam
• Evidence that you have earned CPD points over the last 12 months.

Yes, but we strongly recommend that all PA graduates working in Ireland be listed on the register with an MVR number.

The Irish Physician Associate National Exam (IPANE) is a national exam required for certification in Ireland. In order to receive an MVR number it is required that all PAs sit the IPANE exam. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and PAs are required to resit the exam every 6 years for recertification.

Upon successfully passing the Irish Physician Associate National Exam, an Irish certified PA may add ‘IC’ to the end of their credentials.

The exam consists of 200 multiple choice, single best answer questions. It is divided over 2 papers with both sittings on the same day. It is advised that you draw on the knowledge you obtained throughout your degree and to be familiar with the most recent guidelines for the treatment of conditions. These guidelines can be found on the HSE website and UpToDate.

Currently there are no opportunities  to shadow a qualified PA in hospital. If you are interested in applying to the RCSI PA Programme , please contact the course directors – link to course page

The ISPA recommend that you send a job description and details of application to the ISPA. We can then circulate to our members. You can also advertise on other platforms as you wish. Please contact us for more information at “contactus@ispaireland.ie“

Physician Associates registered with the ISPA MVR are required to attain 50 CPD points annually.  Of the 50 CPD credits these should be allocated as 10 CPD credits from the major criteria and 40 CPD credits from the minor criteria. Physician associates should maintain an active log to account for the CPD credits. Audit of members CPD can and will come into practice. Maintaining an up-to-date logbook/account of CPD credits acquired is strongly recommended. ISPA CPD Record can be viewed HERE

The ISPA are currently working on bespoke CPD opportunities for it members. More information coming soon about this. The ISPA encourage all members to seek independent CPD opportunities available to them in their hospital or GP setting.

This will allow for each member to reach their requirement of 50 CPD credits annually. 

The ISPA have had the opportunity to offer a select number of RCSI approved CPD opportunities to members in 2023. See two links below

CPD course finder

CPD online courses

The ISPA remains actively engaged in ongoing discussions with both the HSE and the Department of Health to advance the regulation of the profession in Ireland.

The ISPA would be delighted if any interested members sought further involvement within the society. We have a range of active committees, all of which require additional members. The ISPA are also  encouraged to hear feedback from their members and recommendations for the establishment of new committees. Please visit out CONTACT PAGE