AKT fee
£481
The RCGP lists the current Applied Knowledge Test examination fee as £481. You still pay this up front; the funding is a reimbursement.
Is the MRCGP AKT exam fee funded?
The June 2026 government pay-and-jobs deal accepted by resident doctors in England funds mandatory royal college exam fees. For GP trainees that means the MRCGP AKT and SCA fees can be reclaimed for the first two attempts. Here is who qualifies, from when, and how the reimbursement works.
Quick answer
Yes. Under the June 2026 government offer accepted by resident doctors in England, mandatory royal college exam fees — including the MRCGP AKT (£481) and the SCA — are reimbursed for the first two attempts, for exams sat on or after 1 April 2026. You still pay the fee up front and claim it back through your NHS employer or training body.
AKT exam fee funding at a glance
Who is covered
Resident doctors in England
Funding covers mandatory royal college exam fees for resident doctors (and doctors in local employment / LEDs) in England. It comes from the June 2026 government pay-and-jobs deal accepted by resident doctors.
Attempts covered
First 2
The first two attempts of each mandatory royal college exam are reimbursed. For GP trainees the mandatory MRCGP exams are the AKT and the SCA.
From when
Exams sat from 1 Apr 2026
Reimbursement applies to mandatory exams sat on or after 1 April 2026. Royal college membership fees and portfolio fees are separately covered from April 2027.
What changed, in plain terms
Historically GP trainees paid the AKT fee themselves, and the NHS study budget covered approved preparation courses rather than the exam fee. The June 2026 settlement changed that for resident doctors in England: the fees for mandatory royal college exams are now reimbursed for the first two attempts. For the MRCGP that is the AKT and the SCA. The examination fee the RCGP charges is unchanged — the difference is that you can now reclaim it, provided you sit the exam on or after 1 April 2026.
Because only the first two attempts are funded, the funding rewards passing early. That makes strong, efficient preparation more valuable than ever: the goal is to make each covered attempt count rather than relying on a third sitting you would pay for yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Does the government pay for the MRCGP AKT exam?
Yes. Under the June 2026 government offer accepted by resident doctors in England, mandatory royal college examination fees are funded for the first two attempts. For GP trainees this includes the MRCGP AKT (currently £481) and the SCA. It applies to mandatory exams sat on or after 1 April 2026 and is paid by reimbursement.
Is the AKT fee reimbursed or paid up front?
It is a reimbursement. You still pay the RCGP the £481 examination fee when you book, and then claim it back. The exact claim process is administered through NHS employers and training bodies in England — check with your deanery, foundation/GP scheme or employer for how to submit your claim.
How many attempts of the AKT are covered?
The first two attempts of each mandatory exam are reimbursed. Because only the first two attempts are funded, passing early matters — a third attempt would not be covered by this scheme.
From what date does AKT fee reimbursement apply?
Reimbursement applies to mandatory royal college exams sat on or after 1 April 2026. Exams sat before that date are not covered by this scheme.
Does the funding cover the SCA as well as the AKT?
Yes. Both the AKT and the SCA are mandatory MRCGP exams needed to complete GP training and gain a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), so both fall within the funded mandatory exams for resident doctors in England.
Does this apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
The June 2026 offer covers resident doctors in England. Arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are set separately, so trainees outside England should check their own deanery or NHS body for the current position on exam fee funding.
How much is the MRCGP AKT exam fee now?
The AKT examination fee itself is unchanged at £481 as listed by the RCGP. What has changed is that eligible resident doctors in England can reclaim that fee for their first two attempts, for exams sat from 1 April 2026.
Are royal college membership and portfolio fees covered too?
Under the accepted offer, royal college membership fees and portfolio (e-portfolio) fees for doctors in training in England are covered from April 2027, separately from the exam-fee reimbursement that starts for exams sat from 1 April 2026.
Official sources
AKT Navigator is independent and not affiliated with the RCGP, BMA or the government. Funding terms are summarised from public sources and the reimbursement process is administered by NHS employers and training bodies — check your deanery or employer and the RCGP for the current position before booking. Last reviewed July 2026.
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