Exam structure, current dates and official resources for ISRA members preparing for the ESRA-DRA.
The ESRA European Diploma of Regional Anaesthesia (ESRA-DRA, also known as EDRA) is a European qualification for anaesthetists who want to show advanced knowledge and skill in regional anaesthesia and acute pain management.
It was established in 2005 and is run by the European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy (ESRA). You can apply once you have completed at least two years of anaesthesia training.
How ISRA can help
- You need ESRA membership to sit both parts of the diploma. ISRA membership includes ESRA membership.
- Many ISRA courses and workshops are ESRA-DRA accredited, so the points you earn count towards the Part II workshop requirement.
ISRA does not run the examination. Applications, fees and deadlines are handled by ESRA.
The diploma pathway
How the diploma works
Sections A and B can be taken in either order. The full requirements for each step are in the sections at the bottom of this page.
Sitting Part II from 1 July 2027? The three-workshop rule is replaced by points: at least 20, including 10 ultrasound and 6 cadaveric. See Workshops and ESRA-DRA points below.
Current information
Exam dates
ESRA has not yet published 2027 examination dates.
Information checked: 1 October 2026. Always confirm dates and deadlines with ESRA.
Official ESRA information
ISRA provides this page as a guide for members. ESRA is the official source for applications, eligibility, fees, deadlines and examination updates.
ESRA-DRA requirements and format
Before you apply
Who can apply
- A medical qualification and at least two years in an official anaesthesia training programme
- Current ESRA membership (included with ISRA membership)
- Good working English
- No block logbook is needed
- Workshops are not required, but they are recommended
The exam
Written, single best answer
- Anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, regional anaesthesia techniques, acute pain management and related clinical topics
- Held twice a year: online in the early months of the year, and onsite at the ESRA Annual Congress in September
- In 2024: 120 single best answer questions in 120 minutes, on your own computer
- No limit on attempts
You must pass Part I before applying for Part II; there is no time limit between the two. You also need full registration at one ESRA Annual Congress, at any point between Part I and your final Part II exam.
Before you apply
What you need
- A pass in Part I, and current ESRA membership
- Written confirmation from your Head of Department or Programme Director, before you apply for either section, that you have performed at least:
- 150 neuraxial blocks, including spinal, epidural and combined spinal-epidural
- 150 peripheral nerve blocks: 75 upper limb (interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular, axillary, and distal blocks at elbow and wrist) and 75 lower limb (sciatic, femoral, popliteal and ankle)
- a range of other blocks, including paravertebral, intercostal, abdominal wall, PECS, penile, caudal and IVRA (Bier's block)
- The workshop requirement, before you apply for Section B (see Workshops and ESRA-DRA points)
Section A
Oral viva
Remote or onsite · about 30 minutes · two examiners
- Question 1: a clinical case
- Question 2: the management of a regional anaesthesia complication
- About 15 minutes each
Section B
Practical examination
Onsite only · about 20–25 minutes · live model
- Question 3: a core block or neuraxial technique
- Question 4: an intermediate or advanced block
- About 10–12 minutes each, both with ultrasound. The blocks are listed under Section B blocks
Passing and retakes: pass both sections (all four questions), in either order. If you fail one section, you only retake that section. Each section can be attempted up to three times; after a third unsuccessful attempt, the whole process starts again from Part I.
Workshops are not needed for Part I or for Section A, but you must meet the workshop requirement before applying for Section B. ESRA accepts workshops attended in the 5 years before your exam date, and workshops attended after July 2022 must be on ESRA's list of ESRA-DRA accredited workshops.
Section B up to 30 June 2027
Three workshops
- One cadaver workshop
- Two ultrasound hands-on workshops
- At least one of the three is an official ESRA workshop
- Each with CME/CPD accreditation from a national anaesthesia college
- Shorter sessions can be combined: 6 hours of hands-on practice counts as one workshop
Section B from 1 July 2027
Points
The rest can be any type, including "other" points.
Official ESRA workshops
What the points mean
Points record the training you have done; they are not exam marks. Ultrasound hands-on points are for scanning live models or needling on phantoms, cadaveric points for hands-on work with cadavers, and other points for non-hands-on anatomy or sono-anatomy teaching, such as lectures. One hour of hands-on practice earns one point, and each type is counted separately.
Example: ISRA's 2026 cadaver course gave 9 cadaveric, 1 ultrasound and 1 other point. That is 11 in total, but only 1 towards the ultrasound minimum.
Keep the certificate from every workshop, and check that each course is ESRA-DRA accredited and which points it gives.
You demonstrate one core block and one intermediate or advanced block, both with ultrasound. Here they are by body region.
Core · question 3 · 13 blocksIntermediate or advanced · question 4 · 18 blocks
1Upper limb and neck
2Trunk
3Lower limb
4Spine
From ESRA's block list, version 2.0 (August 2025). ESRA's full list (PDF) ↗